Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2004

Most Wanted Coupe Under $25,000

Winner: Volkswagen Golf

With nimble handling and brisk performance, the Rabbit GTI was an instant hit with driving enthusiasts when it was introduced back in 1983. Twenty years later, the Golf and GTI are still providing thrifty thrills for drivers with its precise handling and spirited acceleration. Whether you're driving the 180-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter inline four or the 24-valve, 2.8-liter VR6, you can get your kicks with an automatic or six-speed manual transmission. There is a wide range of trim levels to choose from in both the Golf and GTI models, and each one comes with that famous German car pedigree running through its veins. But what really puts the Golf in our winner's circle is its hatchback design and unmatched utility wrapped around an entertaining driver's machine.