-- Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Hybrids aren't the only new fuel-efficient cars out there. In mid-August, Volkswagen rolled out the Jetta TDI, the first 50-state legal 'clean diesel' vehicle to be sold in the U.S. For those scratching their heads, it should be noted that this ain't your mama's hacking, smoky, smelly diesel engine. Today's clean diesel engines are more the strong, silent type. They get better mileage than their regular gasoline equivalents, although, with the cost of diesel fuel, it can be more costly to fill them up.

The Jetta TDI comes as a sedan or a wagon, both with 4-cylinder, 2.0 L engines. Estimated miles per gallon for both are 29 to 30 in the city and 40 to 41 on the highway. Kelley Blue Book lists the sedan's base MSRP at $22,640 and the wagon's at $24,240.

Here's a look at other buzzed-about clean diesel cars and SUVs that are said to be coming in 2009. (Volkswagen)

A worker eats lunch at a recycling center on the outskirts of Beijing on Dec. 17. The global economic crisis has slashed prices of recycled raw materials by nearly 50 percent as many recyclers feel the pinch. (Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images)