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Volkswagen up!

New entry-level model features three-cylinder engine and cute styling, but is it a real VW? We're first in the world to find out

VW up!

By Jack Rix

August 2011

  • Rating:

Small cars are growing in popularity by the day – and VW is ready to cash in. The Volkswagen up! is its new entry-level model, a direct rival for the Fiat 500 and a car that will spawn Skoda and SEAT-branded versions. It also promises to bring new levels of quality and space to the city car segment, and we were the first in the world to get behind the wheel.

Video: Watch CarBuyer's video review of the VW up!

 

The 2007 concept car’s rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout has been ditched in favour of a more cost-effective front-engine, front-wheel drive setup. Fortunately though, it hasn’t hampered the practicality. At around 3.5 metres in length it’s almost identical to the Fiat 500, but a particularly stretched wheelbase and short overhangs mean it’s a triumph of packaging inside.

An adult can sit comfortably behind the driver or passenger, which is more than can be said for the Fiat, while headroom and elbow room is excellent in the front and back. There’s even a decent sized 251-litre boot, expanding to 951-litres with the 60/40 rear seats folded flat.

The up! comes with a brand-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, tuned to either 59bhp (with sub-100g/km Co2 emissions) or 74bhp as driven here. VW have decided to omit a diesel engine because of the extra cost, but a 67bhp CNG version which emits 79g/km will be launched, although it’s unlikely to make it to the UK. An all-electric up! will arrive in 2013.

Right from the off it’s clear the new engine is a peach. It’s virtually imperceptible at idle but lets out a classic three-cylinder warble as the revs rise. And with no turbocharger to boost torque, revving this engine is a must to get the most out of it. Do that and it feels faster than 0-62mph in 13.2 seconds suggests, but in the real world the claimed economy will be hard to achieve.

Predictably, the steering is fingertip light, but extremely direct, while the manual gearchange is snappy and a pleasure to use - an automated manual ‘box will be available at a later date. Another pleasant surprise is the forgiving suspension, which meant the car rolled about in bends but rode brilliantly on all surfaces we encountered. Road and wind noise, even when we hit 100mph on the Autobahn, was well suppressed, boding well for the up!’s everyday usability.

For a car predicted to cost from as little as £8,000, rising closer to £12,000 for the top-spec model we tested, there was always the chance VW would be forced to cut corners. In the cabin though, it feels just as solid as any other VW. In fact, the gloss multi-coloured trim covering the dash and door panels makes it a far more interesting place to spend time than the more expensive VW Polo.

There’s no shortage of technology either. A detachable Navigon unit, costing less than £350, clicks onto an integrated dash mount and not only provides directions, but syncs with the car to display telephone controls, eco-driving tips and even a digital tachometer. An automatic braking function, active at speeds of up to around 20mph, is yours for around £180.

As for the styling, it’s a simple shape that works well, but to be fully appreciated it need to be seen in the flesh. Up close, details like the gently smiling lower grille, chamfered bottom edge to the glass area and the blacked-out tailgate give the car a character all of its own. The wheels too, with the oversized VW badge in the centre, add a touch of retro to a modern design. VW is the master of understated but anonymous styling, but fortunately in this respect, and a host of others, the up! is a break from the norm.

 

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18 Comments

Phew!

Was holding my breath to hear if the drive was as accomplished as the look. Had high hopes for this as it reminds me of the Renault 5 and was thinking it could have the same impact on the market. The long wheelbase, roomy insides, supple ride (with the 5 did a little too well) and mature but handsome, and nicely detailed design reek of 5 in the best way. Can't wait to get behind the wheel.

By jwojewidka on 1 September, 2011, 6:00am

£12K?

Way way overpriced, as most VW products are. I love the concept, like the execution, but how is this worth £3-4K over the similar concept that is the Aygo/107/C1. A shame, as i prefer the styling of the VW.
AE - you mention turbocharger in the data panel, then talk about no turbo in the review..

By Alfamonk on 2 September, 2011, 12:38pm

Ace

Looks like a modern version of the Lupo to me...

By monstermagnet666 on 6 September, 2011, 8:22am

ONLY VW COULD

Yes - only VW could produce a far-east killer like this. The Japanese, Koreans et al will certainly get a kickupthebum from this superb little machine. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this will sell, sell and sell. I drive large cars but, if I wanted something in this category I would willingly pay ,000 (GBP) for it.
It will undoubtedly draw many adverse opinions from the schoolboy brigade, who usually inhabit this comment section, but the modest opinion of a 'long-in-the-tooth' but well-informed petrol-head is that it will not fail. The majority of people who can afford to buy new cars - do so - rather than just take part in opinion forums. My prediction though is that this will probably hit sales of other models in the VW line-up.
Do you know I think I will just buy one - for the hell of it !! Although I guess it will be a while before it gets here 'down-under'.

By Gregorius on 6 September, 2011, 9:37am

Definitely 12,000

Apologies, the typo was not a Freudian slip and I think this is well worth twelve thousand pounds.

By Gregorius on 6 September, 2011, 9:40am

Looks good, but...

...I will judge it when I see it. Hopefully the SEAT and Skoda versions will start at a reasonable price, then's it's game on...

By nhunt2 on 6 September, 2011, 10:13am

I wonder....

What the £8000 version will be like. £12000 is a silly price for a car like this

By yellowbear on 6 September, 2011, 10:22am

Will any model be a 5 door? - biggest draw back with a lot of small city cars is they are used as 2nd cars and quite often mothers who do nursery or shop run and need easy rear access for getting child into child seat.

By anobody on 6 September, 2011, 10:57am

Will any model be a 5 door? - biggest draw back with a lot of small city cars is they are used as 2nd cars and quite often mothers who do nursery or shop run and need easy rear access for getting child into child seat.

By anobody on 6 September, 2011, 10:57am

Boring...

I must say reading the comments, something's not right here! Design wise it's so boring (looked better as a concept car), as for the rest of the package...please it's a revamped Lupo!!! Sure it's a VW but who cares, taking a look at their reliability, give me a Jap-car....or better a Korean number they at least have a sense of flair...

By zgoonk on 6 September, 2011, 12:15pm

Yawn!!!!!

Yet another overpriced VW that AE think is the best thing ever! As for Gregorius comment 'It will undoubtedly draw many adverse opinions from the schoolboy brigade, who usually inhabit this comment section' all I can say is not everyone that can see VW are overpriced, average cars is 'schoolboy brigade' some of us are also modest, long in the tooth, well informed petrolheads that can see past a badge and actually see a car for what is it!

By Correcting_Reports on 6 September, 2011, 1:53pm

Spot On!

This is going to be a huge success for VW. Perfect as a second car for the occasional passenger and the weekly run to Waitrose. Like any small car, stick to the base spec and this has to be a bargain at £8k. My 1.2 Polo has just 55PS from its 3 cylinders and has proved to be perfectly adequate over 70,000 miles and revs like a good 'un.

By oakleya1 on 6 September, 2011, 3:27pm

VW "UP"

Tiny cars need to be stylish and cool .."UP is what? it has no identity like most german designed cars..

By liverpool on 6 September, 2011, 7:02pm

Just wait for the others

Ill wait for SEAT or Skoda's version which is likely to be cheaper and probably better value.

By volvofan on 7 September, 2011, 6:51pm

VW'S OVER PRICED AYGO.

Show me the interior of the £8k model then i'll be able to tell u how much over priced it is £12k 4 this little box on wheels just because it has a vw badge on it that does'nt mean everyone should run out & buy it, but they probably will.

By BEREAL on 13 September, 2011, 7:42pm

Ian

I agree with anobody. We currently have a Golf and an Eos. To replace the Golf with an Up! we would need 5 doors for easy access to a child seat.

By gannet on 14 September, 2011, 3:45pm

confused.com

I am comparing the Up to the Fiat 500 1.2 after testing a twinair which I loved by the way, I'll be testing the 500 1.2 and the UP! when it arrives at the showrooms.

That may be a fair comparison it may not be but thats my choice.
I am comparing the lounge in black with fabric seats and alloy wheels at £12260, or the twinair same spec at £13375.
The VW is £13065 even if I add every extra available.

Like for like then it's £805 dearer than the 500 1.2.
Although I didnt add every option in on the 1.2 to be fair.

The Fiat has auto climate control and I like the styling better.
The VW has heated leather look seats, a satnav, parking sensors, emergency auto city brake, front fog lights, cruise control and extra speakers, more space, is cheaper on insurance and the trump card -it's £99 for 3 years services if you purchase on the PCP plan.

I've looked at the alfa mito and the audi a1 also although both with any decent spec are £3k out of my range.
I'm downgrading from an Audi TT which is thirsty and 10 years old now so maybe I'm biased in wanting decent space and quality interior above all.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Up! as the Fiat may have the style but the VW will actually pay for itself over the 3 years of PCP comparing it with my current running and servicing costs.


By timbo58 on 25 January, 2012, 8:14pm

@timbo58

Read the what car review between the Fiat 500 and the Up. nice all round opinions. The Fiat 500 is going to be the biggest competitor against the UP.

By jax794 on 20 March, 2012, 10:24am

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FIRST OPINION

    The up! takes everything VW is famous for and doesn’t compromise, but compresses it into its most useable package ever. Engineers have worked wonders extracting so much interior space from such a small footprint on the road, while the cabin sets new standard in the sector for quality and technology. What’s more, the new three-cylinder engine is bursting with character, while ride comfort and refinement are excellent. Providing the pricing is right, it’s hard to see how it won’t be a roaring success.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £12,000 (est)
    Engine: 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, 74bhp
    Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 13.2 seconds
    Top speed: 108mph
    Economy: 65.7mpg
    CO2: 108g/km
    Equipment: Sat-nav, air-conditioning, electric front windows, 16-inch alloys, remote central locking
    On sale: January  
     
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