• Slightly costlier than a regular Beetle
• Both engines are fairly frugal
• Most other running costs reasonable

While the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Cabriolet’s running costs aren’t excessive, the additional ride height over the regular models makes it less aerodynamic and consequently slightly thirstier.

A pair of engines each with a choice of two transmissions means there’s scope for choosing a Dune that’s slightly cheaper to run – the pick being the 2.0 TDI with a manual gearbox with a claimed average of 60.1mpg, while the 1.2 TSI with the same transmission posts a claim of 50.4mpg. All very reasonable.

Emissions for all models fall between 122g/km and 130g/km of CO2 so VED car tax costs aren’t too bad either.

Because of the mechanical commonality with other VWs, servicing costs shouldn’t be astronomical although consumables such as tyres could be on the pricey side as they’re on 18-inch wheels.

Resale values are on par with regular Beetle Cabriolets around the 43 percent mark so there’s no financial penalty for choosing a more specialist model.

With two efficient engine choices and a pair of gearbox types available for each, emissions are pegged at a low level for the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Cabriolet but that chunky SUV makeover ensures they’re higher than for the rest of the range.

BlueMotion Technologies (BMT) are standard across the range, most obvious in the VWs’ stop-start system which works impressively smoothly, especially with the DSG automatics.

Least-polluting of the range is the 2.0-litre TDI manual with emissions of 122g/km of CO2 while at the opposite end of the rather short scale is the 1.2 TSI manual at 130g/km.

• Proven mechanical package
• Well-made and feels rugged
• Just one recall for the Beetle

Although it’s difficult to judge the reliability levels of the Volkswagen Beetle Dune Cabriolet specifically, the rest of the range has proven to be largely trouble free.

The whole range has been subjected to just one recall – for a possible fuel leak – but that was for models built before the Dune versions were introduced in 2016.

Mechanically there’s little to cause concern – the 1.2-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TDI engines are in service across various Volkswagen Group products, as are the transmissions.

It’s a similar story with the car itself – the Dune’s modifications are essentially cosmetic for a car that’s been on sale for several years, so there’s little that’s genuinely new and untested in real-world scenarios.