Clean Diesel: More Efficient Than the Prius?

By Todd Kaho 

How do modern clean diesel cars stack up in the real world compared with fuel-efficient gas cars and super-efficient hybrid models, such as the Toyota Prius? Depending on the type of driving you do most, you may find diesels have an edge.

To see how clean diesel measured up, I tested the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI against the Prius and the Ford Focus. I’ve noticed some diesels and hybrids didn’t receive the best mileage figures in the 2008 and later EPA tests. Know that your mileage will vary based on your driving habits, but with both the Jetta TDI and the Prius, exceeding the official miles-per-gallon numbers is definitely possible.

In my test of the Jetta, I was able to average in the mid-40s for city mpg and more than 50 mpg on the highway without much effort. The Prius had the upper hand in city driving, with about 51 to 52 mpg, but only 47 mpg on the highway. Then there’s the traditionally efficient Ford Focus, which achieved a respectable 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.