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Cute. Cuddly.

Makes you want to wrap your arms around it and squeeze the little thing while blurting out a few admiring “goo goos” or “gaa gaas” or whatever you say to a newborn.

But the 1995 Volkswagen Cabrio isn’t as much a bouncing bundle of whatever as it is a huggable convertible that brings back memories of VW as import king.

Rather than enjoy the view from the top of the mountain, VW has been stuck in a ravine for what seems like an eternity.

Forget cheap, basic transportation for the masses and go for expensive machinery for the few performance buffs who still believe VWs are hand-built by elves in some desolate German forest.

VW lost sight of its image, lost sight of its customers, lost sight-period-of where the consumer was headed and what he or she wanted to be headed in. To VW’s credit, a car such as the ’95 Cabrio is evidence that company officials are aware of the gaffs.

Purpose-built transportation. That’s all some people want; that’s what VW delivers.

Just get in, go, stop if you want to or have to, but most important, flip the top down and enjoy the scenery now that the road construction barriers have been stored away until spring. Cabrio carries on the VW tradition of open-air motoring since 1955, when the first soft-top Beetle appeared. It was followed by the Karmann Ghia, Rabbit and Cabriolet.

The last convertible, the Cabriolet, went out of production after the 1993 model run. It was known for having a top that didn’t disappear in the rear compartment. It stood at least a foot in the air and was called a picnic basket by some.

The 1995 Cabrio is somewhat larger and roomier and, best of all, the top slips farther into its holder and doesn’t stand up to make the car look like an unmade bed. You now have a roll bar standing up between front and rear seats. Aesthetically well done and a confidence builder.

Whereas the previous version also was considered cute, you wouldn’t have wanted your teenage son or daughter in one on a regular basis. For 1995 the Cabrio has dual air bags and anti-lock brakes as standard-plus that roll bar.

The Cabrio is powered by a 2-liter, 115-h.p., 4-cylinder engine teamed with 5-speed manual. It’s a combo designed for mileage. With the top down you probably will be in fifth gear before the wind starts to mess your hair.

One observation-it took voodoo to get the key to slip into the ignition. The two just didn’t want to mate and it meant sitting around jiggling the key back and forth, fore and aft, up and down.

The Cabrio starts at $19,975. Standard equipment includes power locks/windows/mirrors; glass rear window with defroster; tinted glass; power steering; 14-inch, all-season tires; body-colored grille and bumpers; folding rear seat backs; cruise control; vanity mirors; anti-theft alarm; fully independent suspension; AM-FM stereo with eight speakers; d igital clock; trip odometer; adjustable steering column; dual cupholders; and a layer of coated vinyl on the convertible to protect against abrasion in a carwash.

>> 1995 Volkswagen Cabrio

Wheelbase: 97.4 inches Length: 160.5 inches Engine: 2-liter, 115-h.p., 4-cylinder Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic optional Fuel economy: 23 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway; 21/28 automatic Base price: $19,975 Price as tested: $22,490. Add $850 for air, $1,275 for leather seats and $390 for freight. To doll it up further will cost $495 for a compact disc player, $585 for seven-spoke alloy wheels and $875 for automatic transmission. Pluses: Cute. Top-down fun with protection of roll bar, dual air bags and ABS standard. Special-purpose vehicle VW was known for but abandoned when Beetle got the heave-ho. Would make a good playmate for Concept 1 ’90s remake of the old Bug. Minuses: Tad slow on the uptake but the car isn’t designed for optimum performance but rather for all-out fun. Key kept refusing to slip easily into the ignition. >>