My wife once commented that the TDI felt peppier around town than the 1.8T.  I tend to agree since I don’t often rev the 1.8T to where you need to in order to expose its true potential.

     So I thought I’d throw this comparison together just for fun.  Both the TDI and the 1.8T are fine engines.  Each has its strong/weak points.  Currently, the TDI is modified and the 1.8T is stock.  A $350 Upsolute chip in the Passat would change everything.  ;-)

Modified ’98 Jetta TDI
(Stock Figures in Red)

Stock ’03 Passat GLS

Engine Type:

1896cc (116 cu in), 4-cylinder, 8-valve

1800cc (110 cu in), 4-cylinder, 20-valve

Horsepower:

~137-hp @ 3500-rpm (90-hp)

170-hp @ 5900-rpm

Torque:

~280-lb/ft @ 2000-rpm (149-ft/lbs)

166-ft/lbs @ 1950-rpm

Acceleration (0-60 mph):

8.9-seconds (12-secs)

8.2- seconds

Acceleration (0-100 mph)

24-seconds (45-secs)

21.8-seconds

3^rd Gear Passing (40-65 mph)

5.21-seconds (7.3-secs)

5.55-seconds (3.50-seconds in 2^nd Gear)

4^th Gear Passing (60-90 mph)

8.9-seconds (14.71-secs)

???

Braking Distance (60-0 mph):

151-ft

124-ft

Braking Distance (80-0 mph):

276-ft

216-ft

Quarter Mile:

~16.8-seconds (18.6-secs)

16.3-seconds

Roadholding Index:

0.85g (0.80g)

0.75g

700ft Slalom:

62.5-mph (59.7-mph)

62.1-mph

Top Speed:

130-mph (109-mph)

135-mph

Horsepower to Weight:

20.5-lbs per 1-hp (31.3)

19.05-lbs per 1-hp

Length:

173.4-in.

185.2-in.

Width:

66.7-in.

68.7-in.

Height:

55.0-in. (56.1-in)

57.6-in.

Weight:

2820-lbs. (actual weight) 

3240-lbs.

Wt Distribution:

61% front, 39% rear

Ground Clearance:

4-in. (5-in.)

4.9-in.

Wheelbase:

97.4-in.

106.4-in. (creates smoother ride)

Front. Headroom:

39.2-in.

39.7-in.

Rear Headroom:

37.3-in.

37.8-in.

Front Leg Room:

42.3-in.

41.5-in.

Rear Leg Room:

31.5-in.

35.3-in. (big difference!)

Seating Positions:

5

5

Cargo:

15-cu/ft

15-cu/ft

Fuel Capacity:

14.5-gal

16.4-gal

EPA Mileage:

40 mpg/49 mpg   (55-mpg best)

22 mpg/31 mpg   (36-mpg best)

Range:

580-mi/711-mi   (802-mi best)

360-mi/508-mi

Noise at Idle (cold/warm):

65/59-dB

41-dB

Noise at 60-mph cruise:

67-dB

63-dB

Noise at Redline:

72-dB

68-dB

Ride:

Responsive and Stout

Smooth and Plush

Build Quality

Very Good

Superior… Above Reproach

Luxuries

I bought it BASIC on purpose…

Not loaded, but NICELY equipped…