The odometer of our Four Seasons Volkswagen Jetta TDI passed the 10,000-mile mark several weeks ago, but the car continues to plug away trouble-free, which is particularly notable given VW's deserved reputation for questionable reliability. The conditions through which the Jetta has been plugging have been quite demanding of late, since Michigan's winter has been particularly brutal. And although the turbo-diesel powerplant has proven its advantages as far as fuel economy and range are concerned, the engine has to run for about fifteen minutes before the vents start blowing warm air into the cabin. "Thank goodness for heated seats," road test editor Marc Noordeloos scrawled with shivering hand.

But the silver Vee Dub's behavior in the snow redeemed the car in snow snob Noordeloos's eyes. He's been heard pondering the possibility that the Jetta could be the most snow-worthy vehicle in our fleet, thanks in large part to its Continental winter tires. "The stability control system works very well," he added, "and the whole car is very confidence-inspiring in subzero temperatures and snowy weather."

Old Man Winter hasn't stopped us from subjecting the Jetta to road-trip duty, a task it happily handles thanks to its titanic trunk and Herculean fuel range. Web producer Evan McCausland tested his previously published theory that the Jetta is a superb interstate stallion, as he piloted the TDI some 250 miles to the Chicago Auto Show, averaging more than 40 mpg and without needing a pit stop--for the car, at least. On the way home, however, McCausland had to stop in South Bend, Indiana, where it was made clear that Indiana does NOT want our boy Evan:


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