The VW Beetle Convertible perfectly gift wraps comfort, performance, handling, and the all- important fun-factor. The test driven vehicle’s Tornado Red exterior looks sharp with the soft-top up or down. Getting the top down is a snap. Simply depress a button and two electric motors power the top down in less than 10 seconds. Pull-and-hold the same switch to put the soft-top in the closed and latched position. This driver opted to raise and lower the soft-top on the tested vehicle when the Beetle was parked, but VW says it’s safe to raise or lower the soft-top at speeds up to 31 mph. Spiffing up the top-down appearance is a quick and easy manual method of tucking in place a leatherette boot. Wind noise with the top closed is minimal, thanks to the soft- top’s multiple material layers. Beetle convertible’s trunk space (7.1 cubic feet) is the same with top up or top-down.

Engine choices for the 2013 Beetle Convertible are a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower/177 pounds-feet of torque; a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that releases 210 horsepower/207 pounds-feet of torque; and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Clean Diesel that provides 140 horsepower/236 pounds-feet of torque. Standard fare equipment on the base model includes 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth technology, heated front seats and heated side mirrors. The estimated mpg for the Beetle Convertible with 2.5-liter engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission is 21 city and 27 highway. MSRP of Beetle Convertible with sound and navigation and 5-cylinder engine is $28,495.