I am looking for a good used 4 clyinder car for under 20,000. I don't no much about small engine cars but I do like the VW's I have seen.

Oh, All wheel drive would be a plus.

used? nevermind

I'm willing to go new if it can be kept under 22,500.

have you looked at Toyota RAV4's? Interior is kind of small if your a big guy

We have had very very good luck with a Honda Civic and with a Toyota Corolla.  Great mileage, good handling, veru reliable, no repair problems.  Available for about $16k...

Just bought a Subaru Outback.  Cost was $25225, so it is over your limit.  However, the little forrester might may the max limit.  I've been impressed.  Its superlow emissions, 4 cyl, and I'm getting 24 in an around town, 30+ on the highway.  Full car, weekend worth of camping gear, doin 70 on the interstate through the mountains and its loggin 31.8 mpg.  Add 2000# of boat and it drops to 28 and change.  

The auto trany sucks..s  I test drove one and went less than one block before returning it.  Its a dog.  I bough 5 spd manual.  Runs very well

I just bought a brand new 05 Acura RSX.  $20,000 cash out the door all fees included w/ leather interior, power moonroof, all options.  Gets 35mpg and is low emissions.

Great car, handles well, is fun to drive.

Quoted: have you looked at Toyota RAV4's? Interior is kind of small if your a big guy

Thats one of my problems, most of the asian built cars are simply to small for me to drive.

You mentioned "low emissions" but did you mean high fuel economy?  All modern US-legal cars and trucks have very low emissions.  Finding the one with the absolute lowest is a pretty silly effort, IMHO.

An interest in high fuel economy, on the other hand, makes plenty of sense.

In that case, I'd recommend a used Civic HX.  The more recent models had 115 HP and would easily get low-40's for mixed highway and city mpg.

+1 on the Civic.

+1 on the Subaru Forester.  AWD, reliable, roomy.