{"id":21735,"date":"2018-01-18T14:21:25","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T18:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=21735"},"modified":"2018-01-18T14:21:25","modified_gmt":"2018-01-18T18:21:25","slug":"europeans-double-down-on-new-sedans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2018\/01\/europeans-double-down-on-new-sedans","title":{"rendered":"Europeans double down on new sedans"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"VW-Jetta\"<\/p>\n<\/div>

Sedans are oh-so 15 minutes ago. As SUVs have taken over dealer lots like dandelions in a country field, even King Camry has been humbled. After 15 years as the best-selling non-pickup in autodom, the Camry last year trailed the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue SUVs. Detroit automakers have taken a scalpel to their sedan lineups, with Chrysler eliminating all production except for its large 300 sedan. Expect more Detroit retirements, even as Japanese and European manufacturers double down on new sedans. All-new Honda Accords, Nissan Altimas, Camrys and VW Jettas will hit the market this year.<\/p>\n

VW Jetta<\/strong><\/p>\n

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What it is:<\/strong>\u00a0VW\u2019s best-selling sedan is all new, with bigger dimensions and a sleeker, more coupe-like exterior. Built on the brand\u2019s excellent front-wheel-drive MQB architecture, it\u2019s powered by the Jetta\u2019s carryover turbo-4. The big story is the interior \u2014 the Jetta follows the Golf and crossover Tiguan with an array of digital goodies and plenty of storage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong>\u00a0The Jetta joins a revamped U.S. lineup as the German brand builds momentum in a market it has long misunderstood. America has a thirst for SUVs, and VW has, at last, made its Yankee-fied Tiguan and Atlas crossovers competitive. But from the Jetta sedan to the hot-hatch Golf GTI to the AWD Golf Alltrack wagon, VW has one of the most capable compact lineups in the market.<\/p>\n

Honda Insight<\/strong><\/p>\n

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