I have to upgrade my Sonar too so I'm on a budget. Any input would be appreciated.

Roland for me, but I'm biased.   I've had Focusrite (Saffire Pro 40) and it had several hardware problems and hard and expensive to get service (at least in the US).
I now have a Roland Studio-Capture (upgraded from an Octa-Capture) and happy with that.
 
 

I know you said "budget", but I would feel I short-changed you if I failed to mention how much interface the Tascam US-16x08 is for not much more $$ - $299 street price.

You can't go too far wrong with the Focusrite 6i6.
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett6i6
 
I got my new AI last year for the same price listed above ($249 - in the link) and it works just fine for me. USB - MIDI in -out - XLR x 2, etc.

I have both a Tascam us1641 and the Scarlett 6i6. 
The drivers for the Focusrite are the reason I purchased it. 
Here's a review I posted on GS forum. 
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/reviews/906141-focusrite-scarlett-6i6.html
 
Here is also a little blurb I wrote about shopping for interfaces using ideas gathered from about 1,000 threads asking about which interfaces to purchase. There must be at least a thread each day between here and GS forums. 
 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Articles/Johns%20Audio%20Interface%20blurb.rtf
 
 
There is a lot of choices.
Make a list of your requirements first.
.
What kind of connectivity do you require? and how many of each.
These are some of the options:
XLR, 1/4",  Combi jacks,  RCA, ¼” line level, ¼” Instrument level ,MIDI, SPDIF, ADAT,MADI
How many ins and outs do you think you'll need now and in the future?
Are they accessible?  Front or rear panel?
Are all ¼” jacks Balanced?  
Is there a true stereo pair? Some don’t have a matched set of inputs.
Pre Amps will fall under the “you get what you pay for”  rule, but check out the reviews anyhow.
A/D convertors will also fall under the same rule and generally all are good these days.
Are there peak level meters or just a little LED for each input?
Are there channel Insert jacks?
Are there separate controls for Monitor level and headphone level?
Is there a blend control for mixing Source with Computer ( DAW) ?
How many Headphone jacks? A level for each?
Are the input pads or line / Instrument toggle switches on the front, back or software controlled?
Is it a metal box or cheap plastic? Is it light and portable or large and bulky, Rack mountable?
Does it have an on / off switch?
Does it use Buss power or a power supply? Buss power can have issues with noise and Phantom power. Look for at least an optional power supply.  
Does it have DSP effects built in?
Does it use a GUI mixer? Having a software (GUI) mixer adds more options.
Can it be used as stand alone? Some interfaces are also handy as a small mixer.
What are the Round Trip Latency (RTL) specs? Do you need low RTL for real time processing?
Low RTL is going to be at a higher price point. A $200 interface will have hidden buffers etc.
Zero Latency monitoring is not the same as RTL. All interfaces have some latency.
Zero latency is just marketing hype for monitoring directly from the interface.
And most important of all, Does it have top notch drivers for your OS. 
What is the word on support from the company?
Does it come with free software, An LE version of a  DAW you would like to try?
 
Everyone will recommend the interface they have chosen, that doesn't mean it is the right one for you. 

Thanks everyone!!! I narrowed the choices to Focusrite and Roland since they had what I was looking for. I've worked with Roland in the past and loved the quality of sound but I hated dealing with all those Native updates, etc. I've also had a Tascam 3 times-twice as a Portastudio (loved, loved) and one as an interface (absolutely hated, ugh!). Cakewalk is now working/merged with Tascam??? That's the latest news I've heard so that looks like something we'll all need to consider in the next couple years as we upgrade. I've never owned a Focusrite but they seem to be used by a lot of folks. I don't need many I/Os since I'll be outsourcing live tracks. Again, I appreciate all the input and links. I ran through Johnny's questions like a checklist. It definitely helped me make my decision.
 
Edit: Forgot to say, I'm going with the Roland-auto sense sounds cool ...and I'm gonna load that SX1 LE to my two mini-me's pc with an older converter and maybe give them an intro to recording.

I would send a vote for the Focusrite - I have it and have been incredibly pleased with it.  I've used it to record/mix/master all my albums except for the oldest ones (Across the Lake Brewing Company's Beckysongs and Swum's Find & Scream or Shoot Your Leg were done with the Delta 44).  I'm pretty tech savvy and very DYI, but the 6i6 has never given me any issues.  That said I bought mine 3 years ago...I'd be looking for something newer maybe if I was looking right now, but maybe not, I haven't been looking since getting the 6i6...

I'm a quad owoner and it's main flaw is that the headphone and main output share the same amp. So when you turn down the master, it's both. If you want to turn down your monitors, but keep the headphones, then  you turn down the actual monitors. If you want turn down the headphone, but not the monitors, you can't. They should have different controls

 
I agree with Kamikaze.  It's the single reason I wouldn't buy the Roland.
 

Exactly the sort of details I'm talking about. Now your faced with spending another $100 to buy a monitor control device.