2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 front.jpg

It's known that a young man won't buy an old man's car, and Volkswagen's lineup shows that kids don't line up for cars from last century, either. To rejuvenate its slumping sales, Volkswagen has unleashed the fifth generation in its proud line of Jettas, and a lot more is new this time than last. The pyramid styling gives way to a more aggressive face. The wimpy 115-horsepower 4-banger (unchanged since 1993) gives way to a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine "specifically designed for the American market" (since when did we ask for five cylinders?) making a much-improved 150 horsepower. A 200-horsepower 2.0 turbo 4 is on the way and the diesel will return. A 5-speed manual is available, a 4-speed automatic gives way to a 6-speed Tiptronic, and the Jetta's dog-on-fire-hydrant handling traits are forever banished thanks to a multilink rear suspension. Volkswagen also loves to rave about its new electro-mechanical steering, which America has yet to evaluate. Six airbags make it safer than