Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Midsize Sedan Under $30,000

Winner: Volkswagen Passat

Sometimes, we become enamored by a car to such a degree that it becomes difficult to view other vehicles without mentioning how much it falls short of said car. This entity is the Volkswagen Passat. It possesses every niggling requirement we want in a family sedan, and then some. Comfortable room enough for five? Check. Excellent fit and finish inside and out? Check. Quality interior materials? Check. World-class handling and driving dynamics (it comes with a five-speed manual tranny - hooray - but you can also opt for the automatic with the Tiptronic shifter) that doesn't make you feel like some banal suburban schlubb? Check, check, check. The base Passat GLS is powered by a 150-horsepower turbocharged inline-four that'll have you zipping in and out of traffic during a diaper run. Step up to the GLX and not only do you get a refined, 2.8-liter V6 making 190 horses, but a sumptuous interior with real wood and brushed aluminum trim that far surpasses any of its competitors, and even plays on the entry-level luxury sedan playing field. There's just one thing missing. Decent cupholders.