America's Top 40 New Cars
40. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI
WHY IT'S ON OUR HIT PARADE: Here's the lower-budget answer to the A4 Avant-a stylish compact wagon with the capacity of a small crossover and sport sedan handling. We like its firm, standard heated seats, front headroom, tilt/telescoping wheel, and electronic stability control. We don't like the base five-cylinder. Buy one, if you can find one, with the new, 50-state 2.0-liter TDI clean diesel.
COOL FACT: U.S. demand for the diesel far outpaces that of the gas engine.
SUM UP: Driving dynamics and fuel efficiency you can't find in a CUV.
THE DETAILS
Price: $25,340
Powertrain: 2.0L/140-hp/236 lb-ft/turbodiesel I-4/6-sp twin-clutch auto
Vital Stats: 0-60: 8.4 sec/quarter: 16.4 sec/EPA: 29/40 mpg