YONKERS, N.Y. -

Consumer Reports tested four small sedans for its recently released May issue and found one of these models, in particular, to be rather disappointing.

Included in the group were the Volkswagen Jetta, two versions of the new Chevrolet Cruze and the Hyundai Elantra.

Of this group, only the Elantra earned a recommendation from Consumer Reports, and the Jetta did not score well with the publication.

It currently is ranked last in the 11 small sedans that the publication has evaluated, and was cited by engineers for issues in a number of areas. These included agility, cornering grip, coarse engine, braking, interior fit and finish, and “so-so” fuel-efficiency.

“The new Jetta is unimpressive,” said David Champion, senior director of the publication’s Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Conn. “In an effort to bring the car’s starting price down, VW cheapened the previous Jetta’s interior and suspension, making it less sophisticated and compromising handling.”

Continuing along, the publication said the Cruze was “light years ahead” of its predecessor (Chevrolet Cobalt) and it is somewhere in the middle of the rankings of the 11 small sedans. It was given a “very good” overall score.

“The two versions tested handled nicely and felt substantial. But a tight rear seat and so-so fuel economy for this class reduced the Cruze’s overall scores,” Consumer Reports added.

Meanwhile, the Elantra was detailed in the Annual Auto Issue that came out a month ago. It was deemed a “Top Pick” in its class in that issue and is the highest rated of the 11 small sedans tested by the publication.

Second on the list is the Nissan Sentra, with the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla coming in spots Nos. 3-4.

Moving along, the May issue also evaluated the redesigned Scion tC coupe and rated car batteries, as well.

“The Elantra is the only vehicle in the test group that is recommended. The Cruze LS, Scion tC, and Volkswagen Jetta scored too low to be recommended. The Cruze LT is too new for Consumer Reports to have adequate reliability data to recommend,” management  explained, later adding: “The wagon version of the Jetta, called the SportWagen, is based on the previous generation of the vehicle; the SportWagen is still recommended.”