One of the most recognizable cars on the road, the VW Beetle has progressed gracefully into the modern era. It's still charming of course, but there's plenty of engineering and technology underneath all the retro style. The Beetle also offers an impressive array of configurations so you can tailor its personality to yours.
What's New for 2015
The available diesel engine gains 10 horsepower, and the Classic and Premium trim levels debut.
Choosing Your Volkswagen Beetle
Part of the Beetle's appeal is the choice of efficient powerplants. First up is a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower, match to a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic with manual shift and sport modes. The available 2-liter turbo four-cylinder provides a snappy 210 horsepower and comes standard with a six-speed manual. A turbo-diesel version of the 2-liter puts out 150 horsepower and achieves 41 mpg on the highway.
The various trim levels are largely determined by which engine is under the hood:
It's hard not to love the Classic, which does a fine job of emulating the original Beetle in character and value. That said, buyers with any interest in performance will be more at home with the R-Line. The Premium models are nice, but push the boundaries of reasonable pricing for a car in this class.