It's hard to approach the status of the Beetle. Only a couple of cars on the road have similar lifetime sales numbers and few have the instantly recognizable shape of the Beetle. Introduced in 2012, the third generation is longer, wider and has an overall more aggressive look. A power-retractable, soft-top convertible model re-joined the lineup in 2013. Modern Beetles are front wheel drive with the engine in front. Beetle powertrains include an inline five-cylinder engine and a turbocharged four cylinder. The turbocharged Beetle with 200-horsepower and a six-speed dual clutch transmission should be quick enough to turn some heads. In today's market, Scion, Hyundai, and Kia provide the kind of value that the original Beetle was known for, but a unique combination of heritage, style, utility, and fuel economy should help keep the Beetle on some shopping lists.

What Changed:

The Beetle lineup adds a convertible model for 2013. The Beetle convertible has power-operated soft-top with a glass rear window. Powertrain options mirror those of the coupe. The base engine is a 2.5l inline five-cylinder. Upscale models equip either a 200-bhp, 2.0l turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a fuel-efficient diesel.