A superior engine and superb handling make driving the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta satisfying. All three engine options on the Jetta are turbocharged four-cylinders. They range from the mild-mannered 150-horsepower variety all the way to the sporty 210-hp. Transmissions come in manual or automatic.

The Jetta has some of the best handling in its class, able to cut corners like an Exacto knife. The Jetta boasts responsive steering and a quiet cabin. With a good stick-shift driver, the acceleration on the manual might just make you smile.

It’s too soon to say for the 2018 Jetta, but the previous year’s model is very reliable. At least J.D. Power and Associates seems to think so. They rated the Volkwagen Jetta as “Better Than Most” in terms of reliability, with a perfect score in overall quality.

The Jetta comes in six different trims (S, SE, SEL, Wolfsburg Edition, SE Sport, and GLI), making this decision a bit hard. Choosing which Jetta to buy mostly depends on two things: How sporty do you want your Jetta? And how loaded with tech do you want it? Buyers who prefer a sporty car should consider the SE Sport. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that delivers 210 horsepower through a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, this Jetta has no problem zipping around town.

Besides the SE Sport, the other trims are a slow crescendo of tech and safety features, with three engine options. The base trim has rearview camera, infotainment system on a 5-inch touch screen, four speakers, a USB port, and Bluetooth. The GLI is the premier trim and gives you everything on the previous trims, plus the best engine option as well as handling and suspension upgrades. Collectors might be interested in the Wolfsburg Edition (named after the city where Jettas were originally manufactured), which has limited edition styling, fog lights, a leather-covered shift knob, and vinyl seats with front-seat heaters. In other ways, it’s mostly like an SE Jetta.

Probably not. In addition to being a wonderfully reliable car, Volkswagen has expanded its six-year, 72,000-mile People First warranty to cover most of its 2018 models, including the Jetta. That’s not just the powertrain, but all systems and hardware bumper to bumper. What’s more, the warranty is transferable from owner to owner, increasing the Jetta’s resale value. That’s currently the best basic warranty from any manufacturer.