Hi and Welcome.

My name is Ed Barrett, and I’m an auto enthusiast who has been reviewing new cars in magazines and newspapers for nearly 20 years.

Like my columns that appear in print, my reviews in this blog are designed to help you make a well informed decision when buying a new car. I hope you find them informative and entertaining.

Look under the “Categories” listings along the right side of the page and select the make or year of the vehicle you’d like to learn more about. To find my latest reviews, check the bottom of this page.

WHAT’S NEW

Jetta Gets Bigger and Cheaper

The Jetta is the most popular VW in America. Over half of all Volkswagens sold here last year were Jettas. Yet, the honchos at VW want to sell more. To make that happen, they addressed two of the principle concerns buyers have with the current model—a tight backseat and a high price. The completely redesigned the 2011 Jetta features much more room in back, a lower starting price and new styling to boot.

Volkswagen designers stretched the wheelbase and the overall length of the Jetta by nearly three inches. What a difference this makes. I had a chance to ride in the back of the new model at the press introduction in San Francisco. I’m 6’2,” and I had more legroom in the 2011 Jetta than I’ve had in most midsize cars I test.

The Jetta is not only roomier, it’s sleeker looking too. Most noticeable is the new grille. The old shield-like design is gone, replaced by a narrower arrangement with horizontal bars and trapezoidal headlights. Whereas the old Jetta looked feisty, the 2011 displays a more mature and refined style.

Volkswagen marketing folks see the Jetta competing with the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. Up until now, these Japanese cars have had substantially lower starting prices, but no more. The new Jetta S model starts at $16,765. It’s equipped with a 2.0-liter, 115-hp 4-cylinder engine, and it is not a bare-bones model.

Yet, VW expects most customers will still opt for the better-equipped SE with the 2. 5-liter motor, priced at $18,965. A fancier SEL is also part of the mix. Further down the road, the popular TDI diesel will make its return at the end of this year, and a GLI version, as well as a hybrid, are on the horizon for 2011.

The new Jettas will start arriving at dealerships in October.

LATEST REVIEWS:

2010-11 Models: Infiniti M56x, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Sienna, Jaguar XKR, Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi A5 Cabriolet, Honda Crosstour, Mercedes E550, Ford Taurus SHO, Nissan 370Z Roadster, Ford Fusion Hybrid