2008 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE

Love this thing almost as much as I love the GTI. Proof that Volkswagen still knows how to build a fun, solid-feeling upmarket economy car, even if it does have all the long-term solidity of a brick of butter baking in the sun. Drives similarly to the GTI, although it's blessed with a back seat and a usable trunk. Feels much larger, but only marginally less entertaining, than a Rabbit or a GTI. It's also proof of just how poorly targeted, and how unpleasant and bumbling, the current Passat is. Everything the Passat isn't.

Sam Smith, Associate Editor