The Best Cars for 2011

Volkswagen Jetta
The all-new 2011 Jetta is Volkswagen's effort to reclaim a piece of the huge compact-midsize segment, where Japanese and American cars have enjoyed a big edge. The Jetta sits on a compact wheelbase, but it has ample interior space, while the exterior styling quietly emphasizes the car's European roots. The 2.5-liter engine delivers 170 horsepower and gets 22 m.p.g. in the city and 30 m.p.g. on the highway. The drivetrain meshes nicely with the new Jetta's sporty ride and handling. It comes with a full list of comfort and convenience features, like a brake-pad-wear indicator, a multifunction trip computer that tracks time and distance as well as average speed and fuel consumption. Starting price is $17,000.

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