There’s not a lot of glamour associated with the 2015 Volkswagen Golf TSI SE hatchback, yet I seemed, over and over, to look for reasons to get into its driver’s seat and maneuver it all over town.

This allure might explain its surprising choice as car of the year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. The little Golf beat out a couple of hot-shot finalists – the Ford Mustang and Hyundai Genesis – for the honor.

The new Golf, a five-passenger compact, sits an inch lower, is 2 inches longer and looks a bit sportier than last year’s model. It shows refinement inside and, with the small turbocharged engine, is fun to drive (except for the turbo lag on takeoff). Its sticker is just over $25,000.

Another Volkswagen I drove recently which might be an even better value is the ‘15 Jetta SE four-door.

It doesn’t have a backup camera and there is no navigation screen. Let me tell you what the Jetta does have – the 1.8 turbocharged engine and manual transmission producing fuel mileage into the 30s, heated front seats, SiriusXM satellite radio and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. That for a sticker price of $20,810.

While the Golf’s wheelbase is only an inch shorter than that of the Jetta’s, it is 16 inches shorter in overall length. At 3,023 pounds on a wheelbase of 103 inches, the Golf is a superb handler; the German engineering is appreciated.

The front-wheel-drive configuration performs well with the 1.8-liter turbo 4-cylinder developing 170 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque and tied to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It has strut front and multilink rear suspension and rides on Continental ProContact 225/45R17 tires. The Golf averaged 31.2 miles per gallon in overall driving.

Small, inconspicuous paddle shifters are easy to touch and use with the transmission’s manual mode. The Golf’s out-of-the-way touch-shifters contrast in appearance with the 6-inch-long magnesium paddles on the Infiniti QX70 which replaced the VW in my driveway.

Inside the VW are firm, supportive perforated leather seats (heated in front), a 5.8-inch touchscreen display with small but clear-imaged backup camera and flat-bottomed steering wheel. The rear-seating area has added legroom and headroom and the cargo space behind the rear seats has grown from less than 16 cubic feet to more than 22.

As for the Jetta, few cars in that price range will handle better than the German product (built in Mexico) from VW. Rural roads with their bends and knolls and short-stretch straightaways brought out the best in the front-wheel-drive Jetta. It exhibits precise steering. The Jetta is Volkswagen’s best-selling model, ahead of the Passat and Golf.

I reviewed the first Jetta, an ‘80 model, 35 years ago; it was 15 inches shorter than today’s sedan and weighed only 1,900 pounds.

The 2015 Jetta weighs 3,000 pounds on a wheelbase of 104.4 inches and overall length of 183.3 inches. The added size gives it a roomy interior and a nice-sized trunk of almost 16 cubic feet. The driver’s side sun visor can’t be swung completely around to the side window because of obstruction by the overhead grip handle, and is left hanging at an awkward position.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf TSI SE:

• Capacity 5-passenger hatchback
• Wheelbase 103.8 inches
• Length 167.5 inches
• Width 70.8 inches
• Height 57.2 inches
• Curb Weight 3,023 pounds
• Track 61 inches front, 59.8 rear
• Ground Clearance 5.4 inches
• Turn Circle 35.8 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 170/200
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering electromechanical power
• Suspension Front strut, rear multilink
• Fuel mileage estimate 25/36
• Fuel mileage average 31.2
• Fuel Tank 13.2 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 17-inch
• Tires Continental 225/45R17
• Cargo Volume 22.8 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Ford Fiesta hatchback, Subaru Impreza Sport, Honda Fit, Mini Cooper Clubman, Fiat 500L

Assembly Plant Puebla, Mexico

Parts Content German 25%, Mexico 21%, U.S./Canadian 7%

Base Price of Lowest Model $18,815; Base Price of Review Model $24,895; Destination Charge $820; Sticker Price $25,715.

Hyundai sticks with 4-cylinder power, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, as its seventh-generation 2015 Sonata midsize sedan attempts to move up from its 10^th place position in car sales in this country.

The Korean maker is betting on its smaller-block power, though most competitors offer an optional V-6 engine.

Dressed up in white pearl exterior and black leather sport seats with orange piping, the 2015 Sonata Sport four-door sent my way was equipped with a 2.0-liter, twin-scroll turbo and 6-speed automatic transmission. The ride was quieted through increased use of sound-deadening materials in the dashboard, and enhanced the finely detailed interior.

One of the most attractive colors I’ve seen in the new year, canyon copper, adorned another Hyundai driven recently, the 2015 Santa Fe Sport AWD. This color is striking enough to steal away some looks from, say, a silver-finished Toyota Highlander.

The Sonata sedan and Santa Fe crossover are two of Hyundai’s three most popular models. Only the Elantra compact outsells them.

The sleek style introduced by the Sonata in 2011, known as “fluidic sculpture,” has been softened somewhat in the new look for 2015. The Sport version features a low-slung exterior with sharply raked windshield and rear window.

Though horsepower and torque have been lessened in the Sonata’s 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine, the sport setting in drive mode choice with paddle-shift use will increase response and tighten steering feel for a more satisfactory performance level. The drive mode’s normal set offers smoother shifts and acceleration; a mild-mannered eco mode is available for ultimate fuel mileages. The turbo’s horsepower has been reduced to 245 from last year’s 274 and the torque drops to 260 lb.-ft. from 269. The Sonata’s base engine is a 185-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder.

The front-drive Sonata Sport with the turbo power carries an EPA estimate of 23/32 miles per gallon; my overall average was 24.7.

Highlighting the interior, in addition to the orange piping on the seats, is a panoramic sunroof, a high-tech center stack angled toward the driver for easier-accessed controls and a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel. The front seats are heated and ventilated and power control has been added to the passenger side; for years, Hyundai has caught grief for a low-positioned front passenger seat without height adjustment.

Good headroom and legroom add comfort to the rear-seating area, where the flat-cushioned seats are heated. Manual sunshades are part of the rear side windows.

Price of the Sonata Sport jumped from $28,575 to $34,460 with the addition of an ultimate package, including such items as the sunroof and navigation, Infinity audio speakers with subwoofer and amplifier, electronic parking brake and a safety group – smart cruise, lane-departure and forward-collision warning, blind-spot detection and rearview camera.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport all-wheel drive delivers 264 horsepower; there is some lag in low-end acceleration. The 6-speed automatic transmission offered no paddles. The 3,600-pound Santa Fe averaged 23.2 miles per gallon; its EPA rating is 18/24.

A button on the steering wheel moves steering feel through normal, sport and comfort levels.

Perforated leather seats are part of a well-designed interior, contrasting light and dark finish with wood trim. A power liftgate at the rear opens up 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space; the spare tire is underneath the vehicle.

Navigation, 12-speaker Infinity audio, panoramic sunroof, heated seats and power liftgate pushed sticker price of the Santa Fe Sport to $38,350.

The Santa Fe Sport is 9 inches shorter and 300 pounds lighter than the bigger Santa Fe.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T:

• Capacity 5-passenger sedan
• Wheelbase 110.4 inches
• Length 191.1 inches
• Width 73.4 inches
• Height 58.1 inches
• Curb Weight 3,575 pounds
• Track 62.9 inches front, 63.1 rear
• Ground Clearance 5.3 inches
• Turn Circle 335.8 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 245/260
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering electric-assist rack-and-pinion
• Suspension MacPherson strut front, multilink rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 23/32
• Fuel mileage average 24.7
• Fuel Tank 18.5 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 18-inch
• Tires Kumho Solus 235/45R18
• Cargo Volume 16.3 cubic feet
• Warranty 5 years/60,000 miles basic, 10/100,000 powertrain

Competitors Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, VW Passat TSI Sport, Chrysler 200, Mazda6

Assembly Plant Montgomery, Ala.

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 41%, Korea 51%

Base Price of Lowest Model $21,150; Base Price of Review Model $28,575; Destination Charge $810; Sticker Price $34,460.

I glanced briefly at the center stack, while heading downroad after dark in the 2015 Dodge Dart GT, and staring right back at me was the colorful face of the Uconnect 8.4-inch audio/navigation touchscreen display.

The large, high-resolution screen is a highlight of a very pleasant interior for the Dart. The entertainment package is tuned in with AM/FM/CD/satellite audio, VoiceCommand, Bluetooth and Garmin navigation/SiriusXM Traffic, which provides current weather, travel, fuel information, sports and movie listings.

The roomy, front-wheel-drive Dart compact (it is 3 inches longer than the Chevy Cruze or Toyota Corolla) returned to Dodge showrooms in 2013 after an absence of 37 years. Aimed at young adults, the Dart is available in five models, beginning with the SE at $16,495, the SXT, Aero, GT and Limited.

The Dart GT performed smoothly with its 2.4-liter, 184-horsepower Tigershark engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. It delivered an average of 27.4 miles per gallon in overall driving; that was close to the middle of its 22/31 EPA estimate.

Two other optional engines will go considerably higher in mpg – a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder of 160-hp and a peppy 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. I tested the little turbo 2 ½ years ago and averaged 33.4.

The Dart GT carried a sticker price of $24,680, which included the UConnect setup, Powertech automatic transmission, remote start, 18-inch hyper black wheels and compact spare tire. Among standard items for the GT are Nappa leather seats (heated in front), backup camera, dual-zone climate control and speed control.

Lightly bolstered front seats are wide and comfortable. Anyone who has ridden with us over the years knows that Jan oversees much of the usage of HVAC in the cars and trucks. More than once during the very cold week we drove the Dart I heard grumbling from the passenger side over “slow warmup” of the heater.

The Dart was a strong competitor for Dodge from 1960 to 1976, when it was discontinued in favor of a new model called the Aspen.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Dodge Dart GT:

• Capacity 5-passenger sedan
• Wheelbase 106.4 inches
• Length 183.9 inches
• Width 72 inches
• Height 57.7 inches
• Curb Weight 3,186 pounds
• Track 61.7 inches front, 61.6 rear
• Ground Clearance 4.4 inches
• Turn Circle 37.7 feet
• Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
• Engine 2.4-liter 4-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 184/171
• Transmission 6-speed automatic
• Steering rack-and-pinion
• Suspension strut front, multilink rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 22/31
• Fuel mileage average 27.4
• Fuel Tank 15.8 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 18-inch
• Tires Goodyear Eagle 225/40R18
• Cargo Volume 13.1 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/100,000 powertrain

Competitors Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze

Assembly Plant Belvidere, Ill.

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 60%, Mexico 18%

Base Price of Lowest Model $16,495; Base Price of Review Model $21,195; Destination Charge $995; Sticker Price $24,680.

One of the vehicles most closely associated with our state and its rugged terrain is the Subaru Outback.

The Outback wagon has been the staple of Subaru’s unqualified success in Colorado over the past 20 years.

Subaru’s outstanding symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring kept me going through recent deep snow and icy surfaces with the 2015 Outback 3.6R Limited model. The Subaru’s 8.7-inch ground clearance is much appreciated.

The 3.6R’s outdated 5-speed automatic transmission of the past has been replaced by an improved continuously variable transmission to go with the wagon’s boxer 6-cylinder engine.

As for wagons, when it comes to handling, I prefer the Audi allroad; for fuel mileage, none of the other wagons can match the mpg of the Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen TDI diesel, and, perhaps the nicest of leather and comfortable interiors is that of the Volvo V60.

Still, for all-around, everyday service, dependability and durability, the Outback can compete with any of them. It’s been a winner of long standing.

I remember the first Outback, introduced in 1995 as a variant of the Legacy wagon.

Wagons were going nowhere at that time. The Outback, though, with its boxer engines and sturdy all-wheel-drive structure and heavy side cladding, endured among a rush of SUVs and more modern crossovers, and found favor with lots of outdoors persons.

The first one I drove back in ’95, with a sticker price of $24,500, weighed 3,250 pounds on a wheelbase of 103.5 inches. Its 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine produced surprising low-end torque.

The Outback has grown in 20 years – its wheelbase by 5 inches and curb weight by 550 pounds.

The ’15 model has some exterior redesign, including a more rakish windshield in which the base has been moved forward 2 inches, and it is a bit longer, taller and wider than last year’s version. Noticeable atop the wagon is a sturdy luggage rack.

I’ve not been a fan of CVT transmissions in 3,800-pound vehicles; however, this one in the 3.6R is a much stronger higher-torque unit than those I’ve tested in the past for Subaru. Under certain acceleration levels, the driver even feels simulated “gear steps” like a conventional 6-speed automatic, and it is quickened with manual-mode and paddle-shift control switches. All this while attaining the better fuel economy of a CVT on regular-grade gasoline. The review model averaged 23.9 miles per gallon; its EPA estimate is 20/27.

The flat-6 boxer engine develops 256 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of torque, with adequate performance. Standard engine in the Outback wagon is a 175-hp, 2.5-liter boxer-4-cylinder with CVT, which is EPA rated at 25/33 mpg.

Acceleration is increased with the bigger 3.6R powerplant, complemented with responsive steering and the torque vectoring, which applies brake pressure to a front wheel for improved cornering ability. The Outback Limited rides on Bridgestone Dueler 225/60R18 tires.

Highlighting the interior, in addition to perforated-leather heated seats, is a 7-inch touch-screen display with voice-activated controls, navigation, harman/kardon audio system with 12 speakers, backup camera, SiriusXM, text messaging, Bluetooth and dual USB ports.

The navigation, moonroof, keyless access and push-button start pushed sticker price to $36,040.

The Outback 3.6R Limited is equipped with eight airbags, including new front seat-cushion bags to keep occupants in place during frontal collisions. Blind-spot detection, lane-change assist and rear-cross-traffic alert are other safety enhancements.

The rear seating area boasts lots of legroom and headroom, with added comfort from rear heat/air vents. Seatbacks recline for passengers in the back row. Cargo-carrying capability behind the second row of seats, 35.5 cubic feet, is a favorite feature for many buyers of the Outback.

Here are the specifications for the 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited:

• Capacity 5-passenger wagon
• Wheelbase 108.1 inches
• Length 189.6 inches
• Width 72.4 inches
• Height 66.1 inches
• Curb Weight 3,810 pounds
• Track 61.8 inches front, 62.2 rear
• Ground Clearance 8.7 inches
• Turn Circle 36.1 feet
• Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
• Engine 3.6-liter boxer 6-cylinder
• Horsepower/Torque 256/247
• Transmission Continuously variable
• Steering electric power
• Suspension MacPherson strut front, double-wishbone rear
• Fuel mileage estimate 20/27
• Fuel mileage average 23.9
• Fuel Tank 18.5 gallons, regular unleaded
• Wheels 18-inch
• Tires Bridgestone Dueler 225/60R18 tires
• Cargo Volume 35.5 cubic feet
• Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors Volvo V60, Volkswagen Sportswagen, Audi allroad, BMW 3 series

Assembly Plant Lafayette, Ind.

Parts Content U.S./Canadian 50%, Japan 40%

Base Price of Lowest Model $24,895; Base Price of Review Model $32,995; Destination Charge $850; Sticker Price $36,040.