VW to Offer R-Line Trim on 2014 Beetle Convertible

Volkswagen announced ahead of today's 2013 Chicago Auto Show media preview that the 2014 Beetle convertible would become the fifth member of the VW family to offer the sporty styling of its performance-inspired R-Line trim package.

The convertible R-Line's exterior enhancements include 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on lower-profile all-season tires, a combination that the automaker said "gives more dynamic driving characteristics." The package will also include an R-Line badge on the front grille and bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED running lights. Interior flourishes include metallic-finish dash and door trim; a flat-bottom, multifunction leather steering wheel; stainless-steel scuff plates; aluminum sport pedals; and leather sport seating surfaces.

VW said it would announce pricing closer to the Beetle convertible's launch date later this year. The Beetle convertible joins other R-Line offerings: the CC "four-door coupe," Beetle coupe, Tiguan compact SUV and Touareg SUV.

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line at the L.A. Auto Show
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible: Up Close
2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line Starts at $33,020

2014 Subaru Forester Rises Seven Spots in Small-SUV Affordability

A few weeks ago we threw the redesigned Toyota RAV4 into our compact crossover affordability index, and the popular Toyota ranked right around the group's average. Subaru fans may notice the outgoing 2013 Forester sat near the bottom, largely because the small SUV got mediocre gas mileage and required stepping up a trim level to get a telescoping steering wheel — one of seven features we included in our pricing scheme.

Our affordability index compared 13 models — each was the least expensive trim level that included common equipment like an automatic transmission, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a USB/audio jack port and tilt/telescoping steering. We also factored in the destination charge and four years of gas.

With its 2014 redesign, the Forester moved up seven spots, thanks to more standard features and better gas mileage. In fact, the new Forester is the third most affordable compact crossover on the market, behind the Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — and it has standard all-wheel drive.

VW's Next SUV Aims at U.S. Market

Volkswagen has seen huge sales successes with Americanized versions of its latest Jetta and Passat sedans. The company now plans to do the same with its next SUV.

VW executives told reporters earlier this week that the next SUV would be built in the U.S. and tailored to American shoppers much like the Jetta and Passat.

What does that mean? This unnamed SUV will be larger than the current Tiguan but smaller than the Touareg SUV. There’s also word that it will cost less than the Tiguan, which starts at $23,820 including an $825 destination charge. Both SUVs have seen sluggish sales in the U.S.

Final decisions around the SUV have not been made, so we don’t expect to see it take shape until after 2013.

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Volkswagen plans to build new SUV in U.S. (DetroitNews)
Volkswagen Reveals its Taigun Concept
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Volkswagen Reveals its Taigun Concept

No, it's not a typo — it's Taigun, not Tiguan. VW took the wraps off the compact SUV concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil. Smaller than the automaker's tiniest crossover, the Tiguan, the Taigun concept likely previews Volkswagen's intentions for its next crossover. 

It rides on a version of the Volkswagen Up! platform, a Europe-only micro car. The front-wheel-drive concept is around 151 inches long, which is much shorter than the Tiguan's 174.5 inches. Power comes from a 110-horsepower, turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with direct injection. It's paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

After a rocky start, Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela and her busy family loaded up Volkswagen’s Tiguan with all the passengers and cargo it can handle. Although it gets a lower base price for 2012 and has a lot of cargo room, Varela said too many annoying little things add up to make for an overall uncomfortable experience in VW’s compact crossover.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes driving the kids to and from piano lessons and baseball practice anything but a chore, according to Cars.com Family contributor Sara Lacey. This five-seat SUV has a roomy backseat that slides up to 6 inches, but Sara found that its cargo area was a little too small to handle her family’s ski gear.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

What's the Most Affordable Compact Crossover?

The compact-crossover class is exploding in popularity because of the mix of utility and affordability these types of vehicles deliver. Introduced in 1995, the Toyota RAV4 was the first car-based compact crossover available in this country, according to MotorWeek. It was followed soon after by the 1995 Honda CR-V. Since then, we've seen a flood of new models — more than 20 nameplates at last count — and today nearly one in every 10 vehicles sold is a compact crossover, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

View Compact Crossovers

The competition is only beginning to heat up, with new models like the 2013 Ford Escape, 2012 Honda CR-V and 2013 Mazda CX-5 introduced in the past few months. A significantly reengineered Nissan Rogue will soon be added to the mix, too. So which one is the most affordable?

Limited Supplies Force VW to Cancel Backup Cameras on Some Models

Volkswagen will no longer offer a backup camera option on the 2012 Touareg, Tiguan and Passat CC sedan because of supply shortages caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, according to the New York Times.

The 2012 CC with Lux Plus, Lux Limited and 4motion Sedan VR6 Executive trims have standard backup cameras. The 2012 Tiguan has an available backup camera with its touch-screen navigation system. All 2012 Touareg models come equipped with the feature, according to Autoblog.com.

Some 2012 models already have a backup camera in them, according to VW, but the feature is no longer being installed in newly produced models. VW doesn’t know when the cameras will be available again.

Shortage Forces VW to Cancel Back-Up Cameras (New York Times, via Autoblog)

Incentives Diet: Buy This, Not That

New-car incentives are hard to come by these days. Gone are the big lumps of cash back teamed to low financing offers. Even low financing deals are harder to come by as new models and fuel-efficient cars are in high demand.

Are there deals to be had out there? Yes, but it takes more digging and creative thinking.

We’ve taken three pairs of cars that highlight this issue. One is a relative bargain with its pure sticker price versus the other while still packing similar features. All are Cars.com Best Bets except the 2012 Ford Focus, which is too new to be considered for the nod.

All the trim levels we picked for these comparisons needed to include an automatic transmission; air conditioning; power locks, windows and side mirrors; keyless entry; cruise control; Bluetooth connectivity; a USB port; and electronic stability control. MSRP prices include destination charges.

Do the bargain choices always win out? Or do high-demand models cost more no matter the sticker price?

2011 Kia Forte EX vs. 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan
The Forte debuted a few years ago and was a very well-rounded contender in the compact class. You get a lot for your money, and it was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Focus is all new — joining tougher competition like the Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Elantra — and rides and handles better than the Forte, but it’s also more expensive similarly equipped.

The Focus is in hot demand. In April, it was the second-fastest-selling car on our Movers & Losers list, taking just seven days to sell after hitting a dealer lot. The Forte sold at a respectable 39-day rate, well below the average of 48 days. Still, that worn luster gives the Forte the edge in terms of financing that will save buyers an additional $1,262.44 in addition to the lower sticker price. The Focus hatchback is pictured above, not the sedan. All pricing and equipment mentioned is for the Focus SE sedan.

Volkswagen Offers March Lease Deals

Like Honda, Volkswagen doesn’t typically offer big cash-back incentives to move cars off dealer lots; it instead relies on special lease rates. For March, the German automaker is offering attractive leasing and financing incentives on most of its lineup with its “Going, Going, Gone Event.”

Financing incentives include zero-percent financing for 72 months on vehicles like 2010 New Beetle and 2011 Routan minivan.

Newer vehicles like the redesigned 2011 Touareg (including hybrid and TDI diesel variants) also get attractive financing rates.

If you’re looking to get a deal on the fast-selling 2011 Jetta, the automaker is offering a $179 a month lease, though we’ve seen better rates from competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla.

If you’re looking for a used Volkswagen, the company is also offering 1.99% APR financing on its entire certified pre-owned inventory for 48 months or 2.99% financing for 60 months.

The deals below are VW’s national deals. There are some regional and dealership incentives that might be more advantageous for people who are looking to finance or pay with cash rather than lease.

Most of the deals highlighted below expire at the end of March.