An interesting small car alternative.
Even though the Jetta has been a small car staple nearly as long as the Civic, Corolla, or Sentra, it rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as any of them -- or any other cars, for that matter. To be sure, there are reasons behind the disconnect, most of them rooted in Volkswagen's positioning of the Jetta as an unique, upper-class alternative.
Basically, Volkswagen seems to think this is a luxury car -- and in some ways, they're convincing. To step inside a Jetta is to be blown away by the beauty, class, and attention to detail in the design and materials. It exceeds expectations for amenities and safety features, and it moves down the road feeling like a silent, solid piece of machinery. Unfortunately, Volkswagen's high opinion of the Jetta has long been reflected in its precious pricing (though a 2007 adjustment narrowed the difference).
And the Jetta doesn't feel too special in most other ways. Plain handling, a blatty-sounding 5-cylinder engine, and the heaviest curb weight in its class (3,300 pounds) keep it pretty uninteresting to drive. Fuel economy is mediocre. The front seats are great, but Volkswagen's insistence on having a huge trunk keeps the back seat somewhat cramped.
The best reasons for buying a Jetta are its optional powertrains. Models with the turbo engine and sport suspension should show you a good time, while the diesel engine (which returns in 2009 after a two-year hiatus) holds strong appeal among those who like high fuel economy and long cruising ranges.
But as far as the regular version, the Jetta is best summed up as a decent car with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.
What's new for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta: Two new models, the 2.0T and GLI, both featuring a new turbocharged 200-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and the choices of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox. Side airbags for the rear seat are a new option.
What's new for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta: The diesel-powered TDI model goes on hiatus, but all remaining models get a price drop.
What's new for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta: The 5-cylinder engine jumps from 150 to 170 horsepower. Some trim lines get renamed, leaving the S, SE, SEL, and GLI.
Find out more about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
The classic economy car.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota Yaris: New model.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota Yaris: The Yaris hatchback gets an uplevel S trim line, matching the Yaris sedan.
Given that Japan's automakers founded their reputations on micro-sized, economy-minded sedans, it's amazing how the species has nearly gone extinct. Sure, Civics, Corollas, and Sentras are still around, but compared to their predecessors, they've gotten a too bit liberal with their size, price, and fuel consumption.
Consider the Toyota Yaris Japan's last defender of the small car old school. You want small? The Yaris sedan measures 169 inches short (the hatchback, 151). Among every car imported from the Asian continent, the Yaris also has the smallest engine -- and that engine's driving the lightest car. Consequently, the Yaris returns a supremely frugal 33 MPG, earning it bragging rights for the best real-world mileage of any gas-powered, non-hybrid car in America (though the Smart ForTwo's at a virtual tie).
The Yaris also drives small, with easy steering and a very short turning circle. It's a little noisy, and passing power can feel weak on the freeway, but the Yaris mostly feels adequately quick and refined. Its real weakness is on the inside, where Toyota has senselessly stashed the instrument panel right in the middle of the dashboard, way off from the driver's natural line of sight (a dumb idea recycled from the Yaris's predecessor, the Echo). At least the front seats are comfortable, and the rears are tolerable provided the trip isn't too long.
But while the Yaris makes a fairly strong case, it's not exactly a shoe-in compared to its peers. The Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio might trail the Yaris in some detail areas, but Toyota's precious pricing puts it more than $2,000 north of either (more than $17,000 for a loaded model). The Yaris also takes lumps from the Honda Fit, a car blessed with better seats and controls, a more fun-to-drive demeanor, and a hatchback body that can fit a ton more stuff.
The Yaris should hold the strongest appeal among those who'd rather pay extra for Japanese efficiency and quality, yet prefer the conventional look of a sedan. That probably explains why it's the best-seller in its segment.
Find out more about the 2008 Toyota Yaris
Better than all but one of the midsize trucks.
What's new for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2006 Toyota Tacoma: All models get a tire pressure monitor and advanced front airbags. The latter were formerly exclusive to models with bucket seats.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota Tacoma: Interior revisions bring bigger front seats, new dashboard trim, and new stereo head units.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma: No changes.
Toyota claims the Tacoma has been around for eight generations now (often under different names), but not until the current version did it meet with such widespread acceptance. The dramatic size increase had a lot to do with it; other likely factors were the robust new 4.0-liter V6 and class-leading acceleration times. Its bold new looks probably didn't hurt, either.
Add it all up and the Tacoma has a much easier time swallowing cargo, towing trailers, or carrying passengers than its predecessor -- or its contemporaries. Acceleration with the V6 is quickest of all (about seven seconds to 60 MPH), and towing capacity goes up to 6,500 pounds. The Tacoma is also exclusive in offering the option of a big crew cab body with an extra-long 6'2" bed -- a configuration that might make it a passable substitute for a more wasteful full-size truck. It has a pretty elegant interior, and certain versions come with handy little bonuses like a power outlet at the back of the bed.
The driving experience partly depends on choice of wheels, wheelbase, engine, and transmission, but all Tacomas pretty much feel like some kind of monster truck Camry -- precise, though numb and clumsy, and with low handling abilities. In a rare foul-up, Toyota didn't get the Tacoma's seats right, either. Both the fronts and rears are too low and soggy, which gives the driver the feeling of sinking down to car level (it's possible the new seats in 2007 fixed this).
These are reasons enough, we think, to go with the Nissan Frontier, a decidedly better mid-size truck that shares all the Tacoma's strengths and few of its weaknesses. But there's no doubt that the Tacoma wins the silver trophy.
Find out more about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma
A contender for first place.
What's new for the 2004 Toyota Sienna: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2005 Toyota Sienna: XLE and Limited models get a power passenger's seat.
What's new for the 2006 Toyota Sienna: Freshened styling front and rear, plus new gauges inside. New standard features include side and side-curtain airbags and an MP3 input jack. The optional DVD entertainment system now has a 9-inch screen, and Limited models get the option of a power folding third-row seat.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota Sienna: Toyota retires the old 215-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 in favor of a 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota Sienna: All models get 4-wheel-disc brakes and standard stability control.
After years of near-misses like the Toyota Van, the Previa, and the original Sienna, Toyota finally nailed the bullseye of the minivan market with the current model Sienna. Debuting for 2004 on a longer, wider version version of the Camry platform, the Sienna is arguably the only minivan that stacks up against the almighty Honda Odyssey.
Like most Toyotas, the Sienna puts the emphasis on comfort -- a choice that makes good sense for a minivan. The Sienna rides softly and is quiet inside. Steering is easy and light, and the turning radius is tighter than any competitor's. Toyota's handling prowess may be a step behind Honda's, but a new 266-horsepower V6 engine in 2007 made the Sienna the speediest minivan. That same year, it also became the only remaining minivan to offer all-wheel-drive.
The Sienna shines just as brightly on the interior, at least as far as control design, seat comfort, and cupholder count. Middle-row windows that roll down are a nice touch, and the split third-row seats disappear into the floor. By a slight margin, the Sienna also holds bragging rights for maximum cargo capacity -- a cavernous 149 cubic feet.
There's still some room for improvement. When ordered in 7-passenger trim (instead of 8), the Sienna's middle-row bucket seats can be a hassle to remove and reinstall. On high-end models, the power doors and power liftgate are slow and annoying, and the adaptive cruise control system doesn't work very well. Finally, when it's time to shop for a Sienna, Toyota's prices are high, and its structure of option packages can be confusing.
In the end, picking the best minivan comes down to a preference between the Odyssey's handling, interior, and value or the Sienna's comfort, reliability, and choice of all-wheel-drive.
Find out more about the 2008 Toyota Sienna
As fast and roomy as any other, if a little less refined.
What's new for the 2006 Toyota RAV4: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota RAV4: Side and side-curtain airbags are now standard.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota RAV4: No changes.
Even as competitors flood the already saturated "cute ute" SUV marketplace, the RAV4 remains the most popular of them all. Much credit goes to its most recent redesign, which abruptly transformed the RAV4 from a cute -- but small and slow -- SUV into the bigger, more powerful, seven-seater of today.
Some miss the fun of the old model, but there's no debate that the new RAV4 can serve more demanding lifestyles. There's Camry-size seating in the back row and a massive 73 cubic feet of maximum cargo room. There's even an optional third row that, while useless to adults, is a rare feature among compact SUVs. The RAV4 is also a little fun to drive -- either with the 166-horsepower 4-cylinder or the super-fast 269-horsepower V6 -- thanks to quick and communicative steering and a willing feel. And of course, there's optional all-wheel-drive if you need it.
Still, it seems like Toyota misfired on a number of details. Its quest to make the RAV4 sporty resulted in a touchy gas pedal and a transmission that too often jerks down into lower gears. The interior has certain controls and materials that feel as cheap as anything in the Yaris, and the RAV4's back seat is mounted unusually close to the floor. Not everyone favors the RAV4's side-opening back door, either: it's heavier to move and can be more of a daily hassle than a traditional upward-opening door.
There's definitely more good than bad here, and the RAV4's optional V6 and third seat (a rarity among compact SUVs) are important options to consider. Just remember that given all the RAV4's great company, its little annoyances can make all the difference.
Find out more about the 2008 Toyota RAV4
The world's most sensible hybrid.
What's new for the 2004 Toyota Prius: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2005 Toyota Prius: No changes.
What's new for the 2006 Toyota Prius: Newly standard are variable-force front airbags, which deploy with a force proportional to the severity of an impact. A backup camera is a new option, and all models get new headlights and taillights and darker seat fabric. An MP3 CD player and MP3 input jack are now part of the upgraded stereo.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota Prius: The formerly optional side and side-curtain airbags are now standard. New is a Prius Touring Edition with a firmer suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, a big spoiler, fog lights, and HID headlights.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota Prius: No real changes aside from new option packages, though the EPA's new 2008 measuring standards have lowered the Prius's estimated fuel economy from 55 MPG to a more realistic 46.
As is common with runaway successes, no one saw this one coming. After all, this modern-day savior-of-the-Earth was conceived at a time when gas cost a buck a gallon and Suburbans roamed free throughout the landscape. But then sometime around 2004, oil prices went to hell and a rabid environmentalism fad came out of nowhere, while it just so happened Toyota was launching a stylish, innovative, and amazingly practical ride at the same time. And the rest, they say, is history.
Though the Prius's fame and fortune owe as much to its one-of-a-kind styling as anything else, the reputation is justified. With the Honda Insight now dead, the 45 MPG Prius ranks as the most fuel-efficient car -- make that automobile -- on sale in America. This achievement was made possible by taking a small (but not too small) 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine from the Toyota Echo, partnering it up with electric motors and a battery pack, and integrating the two with Toyota's now-famous Hybrid Synergy Drive, a now decade-old technology that many automakers still have yet to match.
Even once you get past the novelty, the Prius is a surprisingly livable car. Sure, it ain't exactly fast, and its acceleration, steering, and brakes all feel one step weirder than normal. But it can do 0-to-60 in 10 seconds (which qualifies as functional), and it's about as comfortable and quiet as most Toyotas. The Prius scores additional points by being roomier inside than the like-sized Corolla, and its hatchback body makes it an even better cargo hauler than the Camry.
As icing on the cake, any concerns about price have been completely irrelevant, at least so far. Though a typical Prius retails for around $23K (or about $3K higher than an equivalent "normal" car), the lower fuel bills promise payback in less than a decade. Additionally, all buyers up until now have also enjoyed the fortune of big tax rebates that shave years off that time, plus absolutely outstanding resale value. And we can't forget free use of the carpool lane (in certain states), can we?
Here in 2008, resale values have come down to Earth, government subsidies have leveled off, and California has issued its last carpool pass. But for anyone looking for smart, economical transportation and doesn't mind a slightly odd driving experience, the Prius might still make sense.
Find out more about the 2008 Toyota Prius
Affordable, economical, and with ageless appeal.
What's new for the 2003 Toyota Corolla: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2004 Toyota Corolla: No changes.
What's new for the 2005 Toyota Corolla: A high-performance XRS sedan joins the existing CE, LE, and S models, featuring an exclusive high-revving 170-horsepower version of the Corolla's 1.8-liter engine, rear disc brakes, bigger 16-inch wheels, a stiffer suspension, and a mandatory 6-speed manual transmission. Stability control is a new option, and the optional front seat side airbags now come with side-curtain airbags protecting both rows. All Corollas get a new grille and taillights.
What's new for the 2006 Toyota Corolla: No changes.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota Corolla: The XRS model is no longer available.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota Corolla: No changes.
Toyota has taken some flak for giving the current Corolla too long a life. New for 2003 and untouched every year since, its replacement has been delayed until model year 2009 while every competitor has been given a fresh face in the interim.
It's true that in some ways, the Corolla has gotten a little long in the tooth. Its clunky torsion beam rear suspension is from the Cro-Magnon era, and it only offers one engine (size small). There's almost no variation between its trim levels, and the absence of a coupe body style lets the Honda Civic swoop down and snatch all those youthful buyers out from under Toyota's arm.
But if the Corolla is an old man's econobox, it sure does a fine job of fulfilling old man needs. It's consistently reliable, and its engine serves up top-of-the-class fuel economy (bordering on 30 MPG) along with peppy pickup. The ride can get a little jerky sometimes, but mostly, the Corolla feels refined when in motion. Anyone drawn to these qualities might also favor the Corolla's clean, classically handsome interior, which is a dying breed in this day when screwy shapes and chaotic color schemes so often clutter the dashboard.
Best of all, this whole maturity theme leads to one big payoff: a back seat habitable for adults. Simply put, the Corolla's rear quarters are as nice a place as any, with padding in the right places and a high, firm bench that should be an industry standard. In fact, the overall comfort levels might be high enough to make buyers think twice about stepping up to a bigger, costlier car.
When the 2009 Corolla gets here, it will bring the new option of a more powerful 2.4-liter engine, but otherwise, it will drive and look pretty close to the current model. Put another way, there's no danger in buying one now.
Find out about the 2008 Toyota Corolla
Competent and well-rounded, though nothing truly special.
What's new for the 2007 Toyota Camry: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2008 Toyota Camry: No changes.
Challengers to the Camry have attacked from every angle: nicer looks, better features, higher power, lower prices. Never mattered. At the end of the day, more consumers drive home in the Camry than any car in its class, or any car in America, period. It's been that way for years -- now about a dozen and counting.
The success is understandable. This family-friendly four-door offers a serene ride, adult-friendly seats in both rows, and a repair record matched by only one other (Honda, of course). Despite the Camry's dorky image, it's also a pretty decent performer. The standard 4-cylinder engine's 158 horsepower will serve most people just fine, and those who want it all can get a power trip from the 268-hp V6. Toyota even one-ups the competition with a Hybrid version that can go 33 miles on every gallon of gas (vs. 22-24 for other Camrys). Throw in the slick-looking Solara coupes and convertible variations, and there's almost a Camry for everyone.
Everyone, that is, except the discerning driver. Between its numb steering, anonymous-sounding engine and general feel of indifference, the Camry has racked up a reputation as the class killjoy -- something that's become more deserved lately as other cars have grown more involving. Another reservation is with the Camry's quality, which has shown signs of slipping since the 2007 redesign. Squeaks and rattles have become commonplace, and V6 models have given their owners a fair share of transmission troubles.
The Camry is still a solid sedan with many merits. Just know that without bulletproof reliability on its side, there's plenty of reason to cross-shop.
Find out more about the 2008 Toyota Camry
More famous than rich.
What's new for the 2005 Pontiac G6: All-new model.
What's new for the 2006 Pontiac G6: Coupe and convertible body styles join the sedan, and a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine (167 HP) joins the V6s.
What's new for the 2007 Pontiac G6: GTP models upgrade from the old 3.9-liter pushrod V6 to a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 with 252 horsepower, which becomes the fourth engine in the G6 lineup (the old 3.9 is now only available on the convertible). The 3.5-liter V6 also gets a power boost, and side curtain airbags become standard on all coupes and sedans.
What's new for the 2008 Pontiac G6: The G6 loses the manual transmission that used to be optional with the 3.9-liter V6. The GTP trim line is gone.
Try naming another middle-market sedan that's stirred up gossip like the Pontiac G6. Can't do it. Back around its launch in late 2004, the G6 reached instant fame when Oprah gave away 276 of them to her entire audience. Another burst of publicity came when the L.A. Times called for the firing of the man responsible for the G6's very existence, which angered GM into pulling its advertising contract and drew a firestorm of controversy. The rest of the press seemed to be dissing the G6, too.
Alas, all the fuss is much ado about nothing, for the Pontiac G6 is as standard-issue as sedans get. It goes down the road in a competent, mindless manner. It seats four or five adults, wears typical GM corporate styling, and looks pretty typical on the inside, too (aside from Pontiac's trademark red displays). About the only real distinction is the G6's plentiful choice of engines and body styles. Since the 2006 model year, the G6 has been available as a sedan, coupe, or retractable hardtop convertible, and has been home to a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine (167 HP), 3.5-liter and 3.9-liter pushrod V6s, and a 3.6-liter twin-cam V6 (252 HP).
Among that big crowd, you might as well forget about the coupe, which looks exactly like the sedan (so why bother?), and skip the two pushrod V6 engines, which are noisy, inefficient garbage. That leaves the G6 sedan as the best choice, but really, there's a sense of mediocrity that makes any G6 hard to recommend with much enthusiasm. Drivers will take issue with the lame handling and wide turning circle; passengers will gripe about the low-rent interior and substandard back seat. The G6's reliability is also below par.
With so many great competitors, there's no reason to put up with such shortcomings. That's especially true in 2008, since anyone drawn to the Pontiac G6 can find its best attributes in its newer, better relative, Chevrolet Malibu. It would seem Pontiac's 15 minutes are up.
Find out more about the 2008 Pontiac G6
Perfect for those who buy cars by the cubic foot.
What's new for the 2007 Nissan Sentra: Redesigned; new model.
What's new for the 2008 Nissan Sentra: The standard equipment list becomes a little more generous, and option packages get revised.
Nissan doesn't seem to be making much progress in its quest to eliminate overlap within its car lineup. In 2007, the company's new "entry-level" Versa was born as a bigger car than the outgoing Sentra, while the latest Altima had shrunk. That left a very narrow space for the middle-child Sentra to slot through.
As a result, the Sentra emerged with one outstanding feature: tons of interior room. Its long, wide, tall body towers nearly every other compact sedan (officially, the Sentra is a mid-size), leaving it with NBA-grade headroom and toe-tapping footroom rarely found in cars of this class. The seats themselves feel pretty good too, and they're just one fine element in the Sentra's attractive interior. All of this is good news for tall guys with tight budgets.
Changes to the Sentra's mechanicals were just as extensive -- it now shares engineering with a French car called the Renault Megane -- though they didn't result in a great-driving car. The main engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with decent performance and good gas mileage, thanks in part to Nissan's smooth CVT automatic transmission, but it sounds worse than most Nissan engines. The steering feels unnatural, and the brakes are grabby and don't do a good job stopping the car. At least the Sentra rides fairly well, despite its lack of an independent rear suspension.
Things get faster in the Sentra SE-R, though hardly more exciting. Even with a 200-horsepower engine (177 with automatic), a sport suspension and performance tires, everything about it feels either too numb or too unnatural to get the blood flowing.
Generally, what we're left with is an average car with above-average space -- and Nissan's modest pricing means that extra space is free.
Find out more about the 2008 Nissan Sentra
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