Auto News 5

When our 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI arrived at the office back in September 2008, the timing couldn't have been better. Fresh off a two-year sabbatical during which it received a cleaner, more powerful, and more efficient engine, the diesel Jetta was ripe for time in the spotlight with a market that demanded practical, economical automobiles. Four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline, increasing fuel-economy standards, and a gasping economy were practically an advertising campaign for a car that returned 41 mpg on the highway and had a base price of less than $23,000.inline_mediumwraptextright26769299/green/reviews/1003_2009_volkswagen_jetta_tdi_wrapup1003_01_z+2009_volkswagen_jetta_tDI+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Why a hybrid?
The Volkswagen Touareg has always been a bit of an odd man out in the world of SUVs. It arrived to the party a bit late, and since it plays in a segment of the market that's not exactly luxury, but certainly not entry-level, it doesn't exactly have any direct competitors. That said, we've always enjoyed the Touareg. Now we've driven our first example of the new, second-generation Touareg, this time with VW's first hybrid powertrain.inline_mediumwraptextright2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid27063530/green/reviews/1003_2011_volkswagen_touareg_hybrid_reivew1003_01_z+2011_volkswagen_touareg_hybrid+front_three_quarters_view.jpgTrue

With the arrival of a long-term Volkswagen GTI at 120 East Liberty Street, the Mazda 3 faces increased pressure to impress us. The GTI is our 2010 Automobile of the Year and comparisons between the two compact hatches are inevitable.inline_mediumwraptextright2009 Mazda3 Sport Five-Door27057194/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1003_2010_mazda3_s_sport_5_door_february_update1003_02_z+2009_mazda3_sport+side_view_in_snow.jpgTrue