Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002

Econosports

Winner: Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T
"The pocket rocket has never been better."

What becomes a sport sedan most? The ability to keep the driver intimately connected to the road without making bumpy compromises regarding comfort. In this and many other areas, the Jetta — Volkswagen's sedan iteration of the Golf — shines. Its engine has the goods to eat up the road, cranking out 180 horsepower (up 30 from last year); Volkswagen vouches that the car is capable of zooming from 0 to 60 in a mere 7.7 seconds. This newly increased peak power doesn't cannibalize the car's much loved flat powerband. Peak torque is still reached at 1,950 rpm and is maintained until the tach's needle nudges 5,000 — meaning that this latest mutation of the Jetta's engine continues to offer the sort of flexible power delivery that makes driving a pleasure. Handling is crisp, steering is well-weighted and responsive, and the ride is consistently comfy and controlled, feeling secure even when the car is barreling full blast down the highway. And in terms of safety, the Jetta has its passengers covered. In addition to dual front and side airbags, it comes with side curtain airbags, a new safety advance that protects the heads of both front and rear passengers in severe side impact collisions. Impressive all around, it's no wonder the Jetta zooms to the top of our list.