2011 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon TDI
Consumer Reports' Shenhar also picked Volkswagen's Jetta Wagon equipped with a diesel engine. At a cost of about $27,000, the Jetta achieved 36 miles per gallon with manual transmission, he said, and cost about 53 cents a mile to operate.
The only higher-rated wagon or minivan than the Jetta was the Mazda5 Grand Touring, selling for nearly $24,000, "which has all the versatility of a minivan, seating six and is affordable and practical."
Mazda's small minivan costs about 61 cents a mile to operate, compared to the Kia Sedona minivan, which Consumer Reports rated at 85 cents a mile to operate.
NEXT: 2012 Fiat 500
Last updated April 20 2011: 4:01 PM ET
