This week Volkswagen Canada announced pricing for the 2011 Jetta compact. The sixth-generation Jetta goes on sale in September with a base price of $15,875.

As a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), that Jetta number looks pretty good. Compare that number to these four 2010 compact sedans: Ford Focus ($14,999), Honda Civic ($15,990), Kia Forte ($15,795) and Toyota Corolla ($15,460).

However, there is plenty of discounting going on in the new car market in Canada. So we thought it might be worthwhile to run the numbers and see what the sales sweeteners on this quartet amount. As usual, Deals used pricing information supplied by www.carcostcanada.com. Looks like to stay competitive, VW Canada might have to play a little in the discounting world.

MSRP: $15,990 Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,395 Dealer discount (estimated): $500 Factory discount: $500 (Gas Car factory to dealer rebate) Taxable subtotal: $16,385 Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $18,515 Note: O.9 per cent financing for five years available from Honda Canada

MSRP: $14,479 (employee pricing) Freight, dealer prep: $1,450 Dealer discount (estimated): $0 Factory rebate: $1,500 (Delivery Allowance factory-to-dealer rebate) Factory rebate: $500 (Ford Finance factory-to-dealer rebate must be combined with Ford Finance offers) Taxable subtotal: $13,929 Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $15,739.77 Factory discount: $1,000 (Recycle Your Ride Government discount: $300 (Retire Your Ride) Factory discount: $500 (Targeted Loyalty) Final price: $13,939.77

MSRP: $15,460 Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,690 Dealer discount (estimated): $500 Taxable subtotal: $16,350 Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $18,475.50 Factory discount: $750 (factory-to-customer) Final price: $17,725.50 Note: Can be combined with 0.0 per cent financing for four years.

MSRP: $15,795 Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,455 Dealer discount (estimated): $400 Factory discount: $1,800 (Trading Dollars factory-to-dealer rebate) Factory discount: $1,000 (Spectra Loyalty factory-to-dealer) Taxable subtotal: $14,050 Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $15,876.50

Pricing information source: www.carcostcanada.com. Calculations based on Ontario customers. Please note that while the information above is accurate at the time of publication, incentives are given at the discretion of individual dealers, and may be changed or discontinued at any time. Dealer discounts are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis.