Overall rating:

Sometimes cars can really surprise you, and the Beetle is a case in point. Previous examples of the breed had been rather lacklustre, but this latest model is surprisingly rounded. Stylish, practical, good to drive and backed up by the firm's reputation for quality; Volkswagen may just have a credible MINI challenger on its hands.

Key Facts

Model tested: Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI
Pricing: £21,220 (£25,845 as tested)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: Honda CRZ, Hyundai Veloster, MINI Cooper
CO₂ emissions: 153g/km
Combined economy: 42.8mpg
Top speed: 129mph
0-62mph: 8.3 seconds
Power: 160hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 4,500rpm

Inside & Out:

The previous Volkswagen Beetle always erred rather on the feminine side, with a slightly dumpy and pastiche design - but this latest model really does have curves in all the right places. It's still clearly recognisable as a modern take on the 'People's Car' but overall it is much more muscular and masculine than before.

That flower holder has gone too, and though some of the switchgear will be familiar to current Volkswagen owners it feels much more bespoke and - crucially for a car like this - much more special too. High gloss plastics, a finely detailed instrument cluster and the shallow but steeply raked screen give the new Beetle a real sense of occasion.

Ride & Handling:

It may be the stance, it may be the shallow screen but the Beetle feels wide, and crucially full of grip. Whether it's a state of mind or not, it's genuinely fun to drive - which was not something the previous edition could lay claim to.

Sure the steering could do with a little more feedback, and the brake pedal is over-servoed (as with most other models in the Volkswagen family), but the new Beetle is just as competent as the Golf. The 18-inch wheels do take their toll on the ride though, and the motorway especially shows the Beetle up to be a rather busy car across imperfections.

Engine & Transmission:

We've always liked Volkswagen's TSI engines, and save for the fact that this particular example was very tight (and in need of some running in) the 1.4-litre is no exception. The spread of power from this Twincharged unit (using both a supercharger and a turbocharger) is incredibly linear, and you'd be hard pushed to tell it used forced induction were it not for the mid-range shove. It even sounds half decent, though nothing particularly sporty, with a pleasant rasp as the revs increase.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

There's no doubt about it; the Volkswagen Beetle isn't cheap. However, it is relatively good value when you consider it costs the same as a 1.4 TSI Golf GT, but has the added bonus of bespoke design and the Beetle's heritage and cult following. And the 1.4-litre TSI engine is relatively frugal and efficient, emitting 153g/km and averaging 42.8mpg.