Amid a flurry of small cars that disappear almost as soon as they are introduced, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan is refreshing if only because it has been around awhile. Having first seen the light of day in the 1988 model year, its original model is now just old enough to qualify legally as an antique. From the beginning, the goal has been the same - a good-looking, inexpensive compact car for singles and young families.

Jetta's body style has changed over the years, but not much since 2005. Jetta faces American competition in the form of the Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Cobalt and Mercury Milan. From across the water in one direction or the other they must face Honda Accord and Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

Jetta sedans are powered by an unusual 170 horsepower 2.5 liter I5 engine, available with either a five-speed manual or a six speed automatic transmission. Either is rated a very nice twenty-one miles per gallon city and twenty-nine miles per gallon on the highway.

You can also get a 140 horsepower 2.0 liter I4 diesel engine with either six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. The automatic gets twenty-nine miles per gallon in the city and forty miles per gallon on the highway. The manual does a mile per gallon better in either category.

Jetta comes in three trim lines: S, SE and SEL, in ascending order. S comes standard with an interior air filter, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, split folding rear seat, CD player/MP3 player/radio, remote keyless entry, heated windshield washer nozzles and a rear window defogger. With higher trim lines or as options you can get leather steering wheel, sunroof, six-disc CD changer, satellite radio, premium sound system, steering wheel mounted controls, trip computer, leather seats, navigation system and an iPod adapter.

Jetta is about as safe as it gets in a small car. The side impact ratings are five-star and everything else is four-star. Available safety features include antilock brakes, traction control, anti-skid system and airbags everywhere.

The Jetta gets high marks for handling and the quality of the interior materials. On the debit side of the ledger, though, is back seat legroom and price. The base is $17,340. Still, the 1990 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan is a sharp looking car with a great track record, so expect to keep seeing them on the road for years to come.