It's solid and responsive on the road and can hold its own in traffic. The Beetle's precise handling will let you speed easily through curving back roads if that's your pleasure. It's even got a peppier enginer than the rival Honda Civic, a 1.8T turbocharged number that produces 150 horsepower and quick acceleration. And if your college-bound kid asks for a New Beetle, fear not. It's the only small car to get the top five-star rating based on a government and insurance industry crash tests.
Important safety features like side air bags are standard equipment.
The car also gets good reliability ratings from owners. Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Our Privacy Policy . Terms of use .