The new 1.8L turbocharged four-banger behind the bug’s beaming bumper provides drivers with 170 hp and even more torque. In signature TSI style, the engine is quiet, remarkably effortless at low revs, remarkably smooth at high revs, and never feels or sounds like it’s working – though it flings the Beetle along via its front wheels with authority when you get it breathing. The tester got a six-speed automatic that proves smooth and responsive, once it gets used to your driving habits after a few kilometres at the wheel.

Steering, handling and ride quality are in a similar refinement ballpark. The suspension is a touch stiff on occasion, but packs plenty of softness around the edges, supporting a relaxing and comfortable drive at all times, without eliminating any and all responsiveness. Steering is heavy at high speed, light at low speed, and feels just about perfect at all times. Feather-light wheel effort and an amusingly tight turning circle make parking a cinch. Ditto the backup camera, which hides behind the trunk-mounted badge, so it stays clean and clear. Even the brakes are that little more precise than they probably need to be. It all adds up to a car that demonstrates a little extra attention to detail, in the way that it feels, to the driver.

When a top-down highway drive is the order of the day, perhaps between scattered October showers, the roof system adds to the enjoyment. Drivers needn’t pull over and stop – simply slow to 50 km/h or so, pull the switch for 10 seconds, and the roof comes and goes on a whim. Accelerating back up to speed happens in short order. This is one of the quickest convertible roofs I’ve ever used, plus, thanks to tensioning wires, it fits snug, and doesn’t sound like a giant tent when you’re cruising top-up on the highway.

Notably, there’s no change to trunk space in relation to the roof’s position – since that roof has its own hiding space just behind the rear seats. To facilitate said roof, those seats are smaller, thinner, more rigid and more upright than you’ll find in the standard car. Adults of average leg-length will fit for short trips, though leggier individuals will become well acquainted with their knees. Leave the back seats to the kids.

Roof up or down, there’s plenty to love going on inside. Storage is abundant: a deep console bin, covered armrest compartment, door bins and the like all aid in keeping your things organized, secure and out of sight on the go. The dash features a shallow bin on top to keep your snacks secure, and the typically wasted space below the airbag on the passenger side dash has been turned into a storage compartment, too.

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