(April 10, 2011) YONKERS, N.Y. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The newly redesigned Volkswagen Jetta now ranks last among the 11 small sedans that have been tested by Consumer Reports magazine. Engineers found fault with its agility, cornering grip, coarse engine, braking, interior fit and finish, and so-so fuel economy.

"The new Jetta is unimpressive," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT. "In an effort to bring the car's starting price down, VW cheapened the previous Jetta's interior and suspension, making it less sophisticated and compromising handling."

The four-vehicle small sedan test group also featured two versions of the new Chevrolet Cruze—which CR found light-years ahead of the crude Chevrolet Cobalt that it replaced—and the latest generation Hyundai Elantra.

The Cruze now ranks mid-pack among the 11 small sedans tested, with a Very Good overall score. The two versions tested handled nicely and felt substantial. But a tight rear seat and so-so fuel economy for this class reduced the Cruze's overall scores.

Consumer Report's findings on the newly redesigned Elantra were highlighted last month in CR's Annual Auto Issue, where it was named a Top Pick in its category. It currently ranks as the best small sedan that's been tested by the publication, followed by the Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla, in descending order. The Sentra, Impreza and Corolla had all been tested previously. The redesigned Ford Focus just went on sale; Consumer Reports will be testing one in the months ahead.

Prices for the small sedans tested in this group ranged from $18,375 for the Cruze LS to $20,530 for the Cruze LT.

The issue also features a test of the redesigned Scion tC coupe and ratings of car batteries including four from a new lower-cost line of batteries called PlusStart that performed well.

The Elantra is the only vehicle in the test group that is Recommended. The Cruze LS, Scion tC, and Volkswagen Jetta scored too low to be Recommended. The Cruze LT is too new for Consumer Reports to have adequate reliability data to Recommend. Consumer Reports only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

The wagon version of the Jetta, called the SportWagen, is based on the previous generation of the vehicle; the SportWagen is still Recommended.