Best of the Lot: How does the new Jetta compare to my old one?

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How would you rate the (Volkswagen) Jetta versus others in its size and price. More specifically, the Mazda3. I have driven a Jetta for 13 years and loved it, but is it the same? -- Susan in Kingston, Ont.

Cato: The same as what, Susan? Certainly not the same as your ancient Jetta. The Jetta in showrooms now is VW's take on the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda3... A North American-sized compact with a sub-$15,000 starting price. This Jetta is NOT aimed at German buyers.

Vaughan: Harsh, Cato, harsh. Veedub figured they needed a model to sell "cheap like borscht" so they came up with the made-in-Mexico Jetta.

It is not like the tough little bank-vault-on-wheels of previous generations, but you have to like the price. No it's not the same as it was and you'll likely never get 13 years out of the new one, but don't rule it out – yet.

Cato: Look, I've been on the record about this Jetta. It's not my favourite, not in the top five or six, which may explain why it's Canada's sixth best-selling car so far in 2013.

This Jetta is what German executives in Stuttgart believe Americans want and the sales numbers suggest they have been largely correct; the current version has been a far stronger seller than past generations.

But I'd buy something else with my money. There's a reason why the Honda Civic, for instance, has been Canada's best-selling car for 16 straight years.

There's a reason why the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in history.

There's a reason why the Ford Focus is right now the world's best-selling nameplate.

There's a reason why the Mazda3 has won zillions of awards, helping Mazda to record profits.

There's a reason why the Hyundai Elantra has been Canada's No. 2 seller for years.

2014 Honda Civic Sedan.WieckHondaWieck 

Vaughan: Somewhere in that little rant you mentioned the Civic – seriously updated for this year. Sweet, sweet power train, as smooth as their motorcycle engines and maybe even as good as their lawn mowers.

I love the way the Civic accelerates and cruises. Suzie, I assume your ancient Jetta had a standard transmission and the Civic's five-speed is great; for that reason I would skip the optional continuously variable transmission. It will be interesting to see if the Civic can stay on top for more than 16 years. What a record!

Cato: I like all that and the price, $15,690, minus discounts. Very refined, very nice. Test one, Sue.

Really, test all of those I just mentioned, including the Elantra, a car that surely has done wonders for Hyundai. The car looks modern and has a very, very sophisticated direct injection engine. This version of the Elantra is due for a big update in the next year, so Hyundai is discounting like mad, even on the $15,999 base sedan.

The new Genesis has lines similar to the Hyundai's Elantra (pictured here) and Sonata. Hyundai Hyundai  

Vaughan: "Discounting like mad?" Now you have my attention. The Elantra is getting old, but it had so much new tech that it's still seems new.

The latest one has a powerful, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is available. I may be getting a little tired of the styling now, but as you say, Cato, there is a new one coming. And the ride, even for a sub-compact, could be improved, but for a great deal you can't go wrong.

Cato: You want ride? The two compacts in Canada with flat-out the best ride and handling are the Mazda3 and the Ford Focus. I'd give a slight edge to the Mazda, though.

The 3 is a triumph for Mazda, that rare combination of styling, technology, performance and fuel efficiency. You MUST take one for a spin, Sue. The direct-injection engine is slick, the basic six-speed manual gearbox is slicker and the fuel economy using plain, old regular gas is astounding.

2014 Mazda3 Mazda Mazda  

Vaughan: I always hate to say it, but Cato is exactly right. Test drive all three, or thirty-three if you want. Too many people buy on the basis of the glossy brochure about the first car they walk in to see. Take time. Test drive. I would predict you'll go for the Mazda3, but Suzie, you might have a different idea.

Cato: One other new player worth a look-see is the updated Kia Forte. This one often gets lost in this swirl of good compacts for sale in Canada. Definitely worth your time, Sue.