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22nd
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Consumption competition
Sometimes, change is necessary. It might not always seem like the best idea, or even be easy, but sometimes it's needed. A change can be refreshing it can even be enlightening. Sometimes, sticking to the same-old, same-old is just that: the same old.
Such is very much the truth when it comes to automobiles. Change brings about new technology, inventions, and designs. Change means customers have more to choose from, other options; sometimes better options.
What does all this have to do with diesel vehicles and our latest comparison drive? Well, when we suddenly got our hands on a brand new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze 2.0TD (powered by a diesel engine), we immediately wanted to pit it against the name tried and tested in the auto industry, in North America, when it comes to diesel: Volkswagen.
It's no lie that Volkswagen is the leader in diesel cars in our market, and that's not necessarily because they're the best, but more because they are the only option. Besides the American diesel trucks, there are very few options in North America when it comes to affordable diesel-powered family sedans.
However, the time has come for Volkswagen to have some serious competition, and not just from the likes of Chevy. Mazda is lining up the Mazda6 diesel, and Honda is teasing with a diesel Accord. Finally, we'll have a few more options.
But do we want them?
Well, that's what we set out to discover. While we tried out best to get our hands on a Jetta TDI, we had to settle for a Golf TDI which we knew was identical in all specs to the Jetta and nearly every point to the Chevy Cruze diesel (vehicle weight, price, space, engine), despite the segment difference.
So, we set out on a daylong drive -- covering close to 375 kilometres on open highways and country lanes and some traffic laden city settings. Who proved more efficient? More pleasant to drive? More economical overall? Did we prove that VW still holds the diesel crown or are they about to be dethroned by the newcomers?
Sometimes, change is necessary. It might not always seem like the best idea, or even be easy, but sometimes it's needed. A change can be refreshing it can even be enlightening. Sometimes, sticking to the same-old, same-old is just that: the same old.
Such is very much the truth when it comes to automobiles. Change brings about new technology, inventions, and designs. Change means customers have more to choose from, other options; sometimes better options.
What does all this have to do with diesel vehicles and our latest comparison drive? Well, when we suddenly got our hands on a brand new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze 2.0TD (powered by a diesel engine), we immediately wanted to pit it against the name tried and tested in the auto industry, in North America, when it comes to diesel: Volkswagen.
It's no lie that Volkswagen is the leader in diesel cars in our market, and that's not necessarily because they're the best, but more because they are the only option. Besides the American diesel trucks, there are very few options in North America when it comes to affordable diesel-powered family sedans.
However, the time has come for Volkswagen to have some serious competition, and not just from the likes of Chevy. Mazda is lining up the Mazda6 diesel, and Honda is teasing with a diesel Accord. Finally, we'll have a few more options.
But do we want them?
Well, that's what we set out to discover. While we tried out best to get our hands on a Jetta TDI, we had to settle for a Golf TDI which we knew was identical in all specs to the Jetta and nearly every point to the Chevy Cruze diesel (vehicle weight, price, space, engine), despite the segment difference.
So, we set out on a daylong drive -- covering close to 375 kilometres on open highways and country lanes and some traffic laden city settings. Who proved more efficient? More pleasant to drive? More economical overall? Did we prove that VW still holds the diesel crown or are they about to be dethroned by the newcomers?
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| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |