In official Euro NCAP crash tests the Beetle scored four stars – a respectable result for a car launched in 1999. Every model comes with driver and front-seat passenger airbags while a side impact airbags is also mounted in each of the front seats. Curtain airbags are also standard. The front seatbelts have pre-tensioners plus there are Isofix child seat mounting points in the back while ESP stability control is also included on every model.

This is another area where the Beetle suffers. The boot is not only small – with 209 litres it has less luggage room than most Polo-sized hatchbacks – but it’s also an awkward shape and so carrying larger objects such as pushchairs is tricky, albeit not impossible. Lifting heavy items out can be difficult too. On the plus side, there is reasonable cabin storage with twin cupholders in front of the gear lever.

The narrow door pockets aren’t great though and are covered with flimsy netting. Standard on the 1.8T model is a speed-dependant spoiler which rises above 96mph to improve stability – it can also be elevated via a switch at lower speeds.