2008 Volkswagen GTI

Inside and out, styling is a bit on the conservative side (a new Golf/Rabbit/GTI is on the way), but it fits the car's longevity and practicality.

In the end, the GTI is a strong all-around performer. It's quick, comfortable, and roomy, and it handles like proper sports car. Whether you prefer to work one clutch yourself or let the transmission work two of them, the GTI is a solid bang-for-the-buck proposition. If you're looking for good fuel economy and plenty of space, but don't want to give up sports-car speed and handling, the GTI is a good place to look.

The Jetta's transmission is comprised of a DSG gearbox that was upgraded with a heavy-duty wet-style dual clutch system replete with custom transmission programming to handle the massive increase in engine torque.

Inside, the Jetta impresses as well. Throughout the cabin are hand sewn black leather and suede, real carbon fiber trim, and a Stack F1-style ST8600 digital display system. The Jetta's entire stock seating system was dumped in favor of four Recaro racing bucket seats swiped from a Euro-spec R32.

The latest version of VW's iconic hot bunny may offer only 200 horses under the hood, but a fantastically usable, abusable, and forgiving chassis makes the best of each and every one of them. Steering feel, long a GTI hallmark, is remarkably direct and unfettered. The turbo four that drives the front wheels does its job with minimal lag and a cheery brup! out the tailpipe. The whole package turns every off-camber, back-road yump session into a flat-footed exercise in giggles. Porsches, BMWs, and the like struggle to keep up.

Inside, special upholstery has a tire tread pattern; yellow stitching and Pirelli badges adorn the seats, wheel, and handbrake lever. Mechanically, the 2.0-liter FSI four-cylinder has been tuned to deliver more power-226 horsepower versus an even 200 for the regular GTI-with little-to-no fuel-economy penalty. Top speed has crept up to 152 mph.

We were also surprised at the massive glass sunroof (it's an option on all trim levels); too bad the mesh shade doesn't actually create much shade. But we were most surprised by the Sportwagen's starting price--it's expected to be just under $20,000, which strikes us as good value in the small world of small station wagons.

Hit the accelerator, and, unlike diesels of yore, the Jetta actually accelerates - quite quickly, in fact. While the base Jetta has a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gas engine has ten more horsepower, it has significantly less torque - and so the Clean Diesel is about as fast in a stoplight drag.

When driving hard on challenging roads, the GTI's stability control (known in the UK as ESP) is particularly good. It never feels like a nanny-state controlled experiment; it simply corrects errors and gets on with the job by hauling the car out of ridiculously fast cornering maneuvers without admonishment.

The Volkswagen GTI demonstrates how much fun a small, practical car can be. The GTI offers sporty handling, quick and precise steering, and spirited acceleration performance.

While not as stylish as a Mini Cooper, the Volkswagen GTI has come quite a way from the square-cornered hatchback of yore.

The Volkswagen GTI is fun to drive and that's where it shines.

The Volkswagen GTI boasts sporty handling and more power than either the Honda Civic Si or Mini Cooper S.

The Jetta is responsive around town and comfortable on long trips.

Inside, the Jetta is roomy and nicely finished.

Inside, the Jetta is roomy and nicely finished.

if you like the idea of a solid sedan, and are ready to try some European flavor, the Jetta is the best deal in town.

Compared to the pre-2005 Jetta, the current generation has a longer wheelbase and wider track and is the biggest Jetta ever.

The Volkswagen Jetta blends German-bred engineering and technology, good materials and build quality, and solid performance in a value-priced package.