As someone deeply rooted in Volkswagen history, with a garage filled with memories of Rabbits, Beetles, and even a Thing, the brand holds a special place. From owning a quirky Sun Bug to even selling VWs during college breaks, the connection runs deep. While recent years have seen a shift away from the brand for my family, the allure of a classic Super Beetle for weekend tinkering remains strong.
What caused this drift away from VW after decades of loyalty? Perhaps a perceived dip in quality and value, coupled with confusing models like the Phaeton and Touareg, played a role. However, the redesigned Beetle, especially the 2013 Convertible, signals a potential return to form, aiming to recapture lost enthusiasts and attract new admirers.
Volkswagen faced a delicate balancing act in reimagining the New Beetle. The challenge was to inject a dose of masculinity into the compact coupe to broaden its appeal to younger male drivers, without sacrificing the inherent charm and “cuteness” that resonated with female buyers. The solution? Ditching the bud vase, sharpening the lines, integrating a premium Fender audio system, and adding sporty pop-up gauges. The result is a Beetle that feels both retro and refreshingly contemporary, nodding respectfully to its rich heritage. For 2013, this same approach has been applied to the uber-cute Beetle Convertible, resulting in a surprisingly masculine and sporty drop-top.
Visually, the 2013 Beetle Convertible is a triumph. It stands as the most athletic and dynamic Beetle ever conceived. Its silhouette is low-slung and elongated, sharp and confident, yet it manages to retain that essential “cute” factor that defines the Beetle lineage. Connoisseurs of the classic Porsche 356 might even detect a familiar resemblance in its profile. Whether the top is up or down, the Beetle Convertible exudes coolness and undeniable beauty.
The interior (or exterior, with the top down) of the Beetle Convertible perfectly complements its striking exterior. The newly designed seats, featuring stylish ribbed stitching, evoke the spirit of a sports car, offering both visual appeal and comfortable support. Tasteful carbon fiber-look trim pieces add a sporty accent to the clean and elegant dashboard. A distinctive central pod houses a chronometer, a boost gauge, and an oil temperature gauge, adding a touch of classic automotive instrumentation. Rounded rectangles and flowing curves dominate the interior design, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere within the cabin and door panels.
Operating the convertible top is incredibly simple, requiring just the touch of a button. It can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 mph, offering convenience and flexibility. There are no manual latches to fuss with – the entire process is automated. The top retracts in a swift 9.5 seconds and raises in a mere 11 seconds. When lowered, the top neatly gathers above the rear decklid. While a tonneau cover is available as an accessory for a cleaner look, it’s not strictly necessary. When the top is raised, the Beetle Convertible features a heated glass rear window for enhanced visibility in colder climates. Wind noise with the top up is surprisingly minimal, only slightly louder than a typical hardtop car. As expected, with the top down, the cabin becomes breezy and louder, embracing the open-air experience. For those concerned about windblown hair, especially those with curls, the optional Wind Blocker is a worthwhile investment. It’s easily installed when the top is up and conveniently stores in the trunk when not in use, significantly reducing wind turbulence in the cabin.
Under the hood, the 2013 Beetle Convertible packs the same potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine found in the Golf and Jetta. This engine delivers a robust 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for spirited driving. However, the Beetle, being front-wheel drive, does exhibit torque steer, particularly under hard acceleration. A firm grip on the steering wheel is necessary to manage this, especially for drivers with a tendency for a heavy foot. The automatic transmission in the test car seemed to amplify the torque steer effect. Having previously driven a manual transmission Beetle, it was observed that clutch modulation helped mitigate the torque steer. With the automatic, smoother throttle application is required, which can somewhat diminish the fun factor. When driven with a degree of finesse, the Beetle is undeniably lively and enjoyable, with handling that lives up to its sporty aesthetic. The suspension and steering of the 2013 Beetle Convertible represent a significant improvement over previous New Beetle iterations, providing a more engaging and refined driving experience. Convertibles often suffer from cowl shake, but the Beetle Convertible impressively avoids this common issue. Removing a car’s roof inherently compromises structural integrity, requiring substantial engineering to compensate. While the convertible Beetle isn’t quite as rigid as the hardtop version, the trade-off in stiffness is well worth the joy of open-air motoring. The other compromise inherent in convertibles is trunk space. The Beetle Convertible’s trunk is undeniably small, offering a mere 7.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and access is somewhat restricted. Fitting a large suitcase will be a challenge – for larger items, lowering the convertible top and utilizing the back seat is a more practical solution.
In the competitive convertible market, the primary rival to the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is the MINI Cooper Convertible. For most buyers, the choice will likely come down to personal preference, as similarly equipped models are priced very closely. The VW’s driver-focused instrument panel and genuinely usable back seat offer advantages over the MINI’s centrally mounted instruments and more cramped rear seating. Some buyers might also consider the Fiat 500c, which, while not a true convertible, offers a similar dose of retro charm in a smaller package.
Whether the 2013 Beetle Convertible will lure the Fogelson family back into the Volkswagen fold remains to be seen. Currently, large dogs occupy much of our lives, making convertibles less practical. However, as a flagship model, the Beetle Convertible has undeniably placed Volkswagen back on my radar. If VW can produce a car as appealing as this, it certainly sparks curiosity about the rest of their current lineup and future offerings.
