Volkswagen Beetle vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class [2013-2015]

The recently launched Volkswagen Beetle is not your regular car. It’s an icon and is a celebration of the original Beetle which was on sale for more than six decades. It’s the crown jewel in Volkswagen’s history and is a car which gave the German giant recognition worldwide. Originally known as the people’s car, thanks to its reasonable price and low running costs, the new one though is anything but affordable. Priced at Rs 28.7lakh , the new car is more of an expensive accessory which is something you don’t need but rather something you want. At this price you can get many cars which are more practical and are better to drive, but these are not the reasons you buy a car like the Beetle anyway. It is a type of vehicle you will want for its retro appeal and the one which makes you feel special. So does the new Beetle feel special enough to justify its exorbitant price?

When Mercedes-Benz launched the A-Class in India it was a revelation. In a market where hatchbacks were (and still are to a large extent) perceived as budget offerings, the A-Class came as a breath of fresh German air. It opened up the eyes of a first-time luxury car buyer to the fact that premium did not always have to equate with a large and boxy sedan or SUV.

It’s a modern take on the classic Volkswagen Beetle ‘The people’s car’. When launched way back in 1938 in Germany, this car was meant to provide a fast, yet affordable means of transportation with running costs mirroring that of a motorcycle. Little did Ferdinand Porsche (who developed the Beetle) know that over time it will turn into such an icon . Volkswagen sold the type 1 Beetle for over six decades till 2002, managing to sell a total of over 21 million units making it the fourth most successful brand in car history.