VW Beetle

It's difficult to make the iconic Volkswagen Beetle any more fun than it already is, but the addition of a 200-horsepower engine and a Fender Audio System certainly help. The Volkswagen Beetle turns heads, with both its leaner design and turbo speed capabilities. It doesn't lose the characteristic Beetle elements that everyone knows and loves, but it does offer a variety of available features and upgrades that put a competitive modern edge on the old classic. With a starting price of $19,795, this bug will give you major bang for your buck. With over 20 million Beetles sold since the first generation in 1938, let's see what makes the new Beetle a standout in the colony of its predecessors.

VW Beetle Performance

The Beetle provides drivers with an ample supply of options to create a personalized performance vehicle. On top of exciting handling and acceleration capabilities, the 2012 Beetle doesn't use as much gas as the previous year model's and the base model gets an EPA-estimated average 22/29 mpg city/highway, while Turbo models will get a slightly better 22/30. Other performance highlights:

• Two engine options:
• 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine w/ a five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic transmission
• 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets a six-speed manual or optional DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatic
• Base model: 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque
• I-5 cylinder configuration
• Power steering
• Optional paddle shifters on Turbo models
• Front anti-roll bar

VW Beetle Safety

As always, the Beetle was designed with safety top-of-mind. The base model comes with standard safety features that go above and beyond to keep drivers and passengers protected. Additional safety features include:

• Front, side and side curtain airbags
• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability control
• Crash response system shuts off the fuel, unlocks the car and turns on the hazard lights if the vehicle is involved in a serious collision
• Available xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps
• Improves visibility at night and makes the car easier for other drivers to see
• All models come with Volkswagen's complimentary three year/36,000 mile scheduled maintenance

VW Beetle Interior

As one of U.S. News' Top 25 Affordable Small Cars, the Volkswagen Beetle offers a great deal of interior space for its size. With more passenger and cargo space than past models, the Beetle definitely puts the "fun" in functionality, making a great vehicle for road trips and quick errands alike. Also, a design that aims to lessen the "feminine factor" of the older Beetles means there's some new interior features that might catch your eye. Other interior elements include:

 

• 15.4 cubic-ft. of cargo space
• With the rear seats folded, that number increases to 29.9 cubic-ft.
• Base model equipped with eight-speaker sound system, auxiliary port, Bluetooth and iPod interface
• Shallower dashboard that helps increase cabin space
• Keyless entry
• Available dual-zone climate control
Available Fender premier audio system

VW Beetle Exterior

Stronger, more angular exterior features make the Beetle stand out not only from previous models, but from its entire automotive category. Some exterior highlights include:

• 17" Turbine alloy wheels
• Crash-optimized front end
• Fully galvanized sheet metal
• Heat-insulated glass
• Halogen headlights with clear, lightweight, chip-resistant polycarbonate lenses
• Heated power side mirrors
• Available power sliding panoramic sunroof