29/01/09

• Price15,831
• We like...Looks, charm, finish
• We don't...Cramped in rear; tiny boot

 Modern rework of classic soft-top marries up-to-date comfort and kit with a look from the pastThis car gets all the practical things wrong. It’s the same size as a VW Golf, but only seats four – and the pair in the back will suffer cramped legs. And the boot has a tiny, shallow lid. The space behind it, meanwhile, is barely enough for half a dozen bags of groceries. Putting stuff in there is like posting letters.

To cap it all, the space in the cabin is so poorly arranged that there’s a huge ‘shelf’ between the windscreen and the driver. It’s wide enough for a child to sleep there, comfortably.

But, do Beetle cabrio owners care? Of course not. This is a car that makes its own rules. It’s so charming and likeable, you’ll soon forgive its shortcomings. The fact that it’s good to drive helps. Not in a sporty, press-on, sort of way, though. Underneath that curvy body lies the engine and running gear from a Golf. And the suspension and steering comes from the Mk4 Golf – that’s now two generations back. But while it’s never cutting edge, it’s competent and cosseting, so long as you take it easy.
The ride is gentle - better than we remember of the late-1990s Golf hatchback – taking the sting out of even potholes and shrugging off stretches of broken tarmac. Press hard and it’ll heel into corners, though.

Not that you’ll want to do that much in a Beetle. Instead, crank open that roof on a dry day and relax. You begin by pulling and twisting a big grip-handle at the front of the roof, then press a button. It takes its time and the hood rests pram-like, proud of the body.

But once it’s done, the Beetle’s charming to travel in. Wind ruffle is bearable at any speed short of a motorway blast and, if you’re travelling alone or with one passenger, you can sit an (optional) baffle in the back to reduce buffeting. Pick a sunny day, and there’s nowhere nicer to be.

If the weather turns surly, the hood closes efficiently enough and fits snugly to give draught-free protection against the elements. And a glass, heated rear screen clears quickly when it’s damp or frosty.

The cabin’s a treat. It’s basic: the radio for instance looks from a bygone era and there are swathes of painted metal along each door top. But it’s nicely finished and looks sturdy, even by VW’s standards. And the touches you’d expect are present – the bubble-shaped speedo pod directly ahead of the driver, and the built-in flower vase just to the left.

Ours had a 1.6 petrol motor that spins freely but dsn’t push the car along with any determination. Nor, at an expected best overall of 36.7mpg, is it economical, while tailpipe emissions of 185g/km are high for such a modest performer.

On the other hand, it’s popular second-hand and so loses value more slowly over time than other, ‘more sensible’ small cars. So the Beetle breaks the rules. It mayn’t be practical, or efficient. But if you’re a fan of its looks and style – and we are – you’ll want one. We do.

For new and used Volkswagen Beetle Cabrios, go to motors.co.uk
 

• Engines1.6 petrol
• Power100bhp
• 0-60 mph12.3secs
• Economy36.7mpg
• CO2g/km185
• Insurance groups8
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats4

Motors.co.uk value verdict: