Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Small Sedan Under $20,000

Winner: Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T

Making a selection in this crowded field isn't easy, but if our staff had to put a small sedan in our collective garage, Volkswagen's Jetta GLS 1.8T would be our top pick. It's amazing what a new engine can do for a car. We've always liked the Jetta's upscale interior and image, but its main problems to date were a lack of affordability when equipped with the V6 engine, a lack of power when equipped with the wheezy 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and a severe shortage of rear passenger legroom. The GLS 1.8T solves two out of the three problems. Equipped with a 150-horsepower, 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Jetta behaves remarkably like an Audi A4. The Jetta's MSRP is very close to our $20,000 limit, but with this car you also get an outstanding powertrain warranty, a full load of standard equipment uncommon to the class, five-star crash protection for driver and front passenger as rated by the feds, and free scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.