Off Duty, Automotive - Army Times

Tops for 2010: Fun and functional ... and under $20k

• 2010 Mini Crossman

Base price: About $19,500

A new Mini model will join the lineup early next year. Based on the longer-wheelbase Clubman, the Crossman will offer all-wheel-drive (the first Mini to offer this feature) and a higher-off-the-ground ride height to the mix. It won’t be an SUV, but it will do better in wet weather and snow than the low-riding (and front-wheel-drive only) regular Mini. It’ll also have the additional utility of the long-wheelbase Clubman — which boasts almost twice the cargo space behind the second row seats (9.2 cubic feet vs. 5.3 in the regular Mini) as well as rear seats with 32.3 inches of legroom vs. 29.3 in the regular Mini.

The Clubman-based Crossman should also come through with the rear-opening mini door built into the passenger side, as well as the Clubman’s twin “dutch doors” in the back. It will offer the same basic powertrains, too — including both turbocharged S and (likely) hot rod John Cooper Works versions, which currently can hit nearly 150 mph and nail 60 mph in just over six seconds flat while still returning better gas mileage than many economy cars.

EPA gas mileage figures for the 2010 Crossman weren’t available at the time of this writing but should be very close to the current Clubman’s exceptional 28 city, 37 highway. Models equipped with the optional AWD system will probably lose 1-3 MPGs (due to the additional weight/inertial load of the AWD gear) but mid-30s on the highway is still spectacular for a car that’s much more than just another Blue Light Special.

• 2010 VW Golf TDI

Base MSRP: $16,900 (estimated)

The Rabbit retires and the Golf returns to the U.S. market next year — and it seems a sure bet that VW will also bring back a diesel version capable of as much as 52 mpg. That’s better mileage than a hybrid, but with the fun of a high-torque turbo diesel working through a six-speed manual transmission (as in the current Jetta TDI). Direct-injection gas engines capable of close to 40 mpg will also reportedly be offered.