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VW up! vs rivals

Has the new VW up! redefined the city car class? We find out in its first test on British roads

VW up! vs rivals

Photos: Nathan Morgan December 2011

Every now and then, a new car comes along that redefines an existing market – and with the full might of the VW Group empire behind it, that’s exactly what the world is expecting from the up! city car.

The 1.0-litre three-cylinder model will be joined by near-identical Skoda and SEAT cars next year. But the up! is the first to hit UK roads, in three-door guise, with a five-door set to follow.

And to find out if it really is going to change the way we think about small cars, we’ve lined up three talented rivals – starting with the Kia Picanto. The three-door has already won one Auto Express group test (Issue 1,190), and its combination of value and space promises to provide a tough benchmark for the up! to beat.

Hot on the Kia’s heels comes the most stylish city car around, in the retro shape of the Fiat 500. The entry 1.2 Pop makes up for its limited spec with a cheeky personality. Our final contender is closest in concept to the up!.

The Toyota Aygo is part of a joint venture which also brought us the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107, and has a revvy 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine.

VW has copied this cost-sharing approach, but the up! needs more than a competitive price to win here.

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16 Comments

Some brakes !!!

According to the table the Up! goes from 70 to zero in 2.8 metres! That will snap your neck so be careful.

By Wyllie3 on 8 December, 2011, 10:45am

Surprised?

I'm not. VW favoured once again. I know the Aygo was never gonna win this test but I reckon the Picanto and definately the 500 are better cars than the up!.

But AE is right price won't save it.

By no_1fordfan on 8 December, 2011, 10:58am

@Wyllie3

Oops! Thanks for the spot - it should be 52.8 metres.

We've just fixed it.

Thanks again,
Auto Express

By Rhian on 8 December, 2011, 11:03am

How does Fiat 500 cost more to run?

Can somebody from Autoexpress please explain how does Fiat 500 cost more to run? Looking at the table:

1. It's much cheaper buying new, especially compared to Picanto (1,700 pounds)
2. It depreciated less than any car in this comparison after three ysears. Another 1,300 pounds saved.
3. It has lowest annual tax liability.
4. Don't know much about British insurance but it seems on par with the others.
5. Fuel costs are on par or a bit higher.
6. Cost of service is also on par.

So to recap all above points, Fiat 500 is by far the cheapest car to run here, isn't it?

By Sportwagon_JTD on 8 December, 2011, 2:03pm

@Sportwagon_JTD

Thanks for your comment.

The 500 was the least efficient car in our test - in that sense it costs more to run. But as our verdict says: "The Fiat 500 still has plenty to recommend it, including head-turning looks, a classy cabin and an eye-catching price. But it’s hampered by poor practicality and a miserly specification."

Thanks,
Auto Express

By Rhian on 8 December, 2011, 2:33pm

Don't rush to buy...... just yet!

Wait for the Skoda version, the CitiGo. £1000 cheaper and better equipped, and arguably better looking.
And then there's the Seat version........

By j_harden on 10 December, 2011, 11:19pm

Economy figures

There is something weird going on in the Facts and Figures table for the Fiat 500.

According to it, the 500 gets lower average economy than the urban and extra-urban combined.

Did you transpose the urban and the combined?

By TheGoatboy on 11 December, 2011, 4:31am

Running Costs, economy and spec

It would appear that you have been quite unfair to the 500. You have taken the base model with no options and comparing it to a High up! with additional options. In fact for a little more than the up-specced up!, you could get a 500 twin-air and would have change when compared to the Picanto.

Your running cost comparison also seems off as the depreciation would heavily off set fuel usage difference (though the twin-air would go a long way to changing that, too).

By TheGoatboy on 11 December, 2011, 5:10am

Fiat pay Autoexpress some money.

To me the best car here is 500. I sometimes wonder how people get themselves blindfolded when it comes to VW badge. It may be good but the car is bare basic in the looks department. I have had seen Autoexpress reviewing Fiat Group cars and they seem to be totally biased against the italian. To me the italians make the best cars. At least you feel like owning something beautiful than just A to B transport. and I am not sticking to the old rubbish like rust, reliability, "misery specification" & "poor equipment".. Move on Autoexpress, you are supposed to be unbiased for God's sake.. he he

By ambs123 on 12 December, 2011, 2:37pm

And yes I do not own a Fiat or an Alfa

I drive a Ford......

By ambs123 on 12 December, 2011, 2:38pm

Question

I have to ask the question, do the VAG group own Autoexpress?

I've yet to read a review where something isnt as good as a VW or isnt quite as refined as a VW etc etc. THe bias is beginning to get predicatble and boring, yet its not based on fact!

By DanSD on 13 December, 2011, 3:24pm

Shocking economy..

I applaud you for giving honest day to day mpg figures, to me the mpg figure is much more important than the cost of your tax disc. As many of these 'eco' cars will be used in towns for short stop start trips the 'official' economy figures are meaningless and very misleading.

By harveyhovi on 14 December, 2011, 6:32pm

RUBBISH....the ugly VW UP is NOT a class leader!

I have corrected your biased verdict;
1. Fiat 500
2. Kia Picanto
3. VW UP
4. Toyota Aygo

By eleganza on 15 December, 2011, 10:38pm

Agreed BUT...

I agree that AE seems to be favouring certain brands but since none of us has yet driven the Up lets give them a break. If they say the Up is better I'll believe them until I find the chance to test drive the little thing.

By PAAdam on 23 December, 2011, 6:56am

personal opinion

I know AE has the opinion that the UP! has a high quality interior but to my eye the interior is not as good as some of the others... The door panels with the painted metal and some of the controls look bad.

By ducatinova on 25 December, 2011, 5:51am

Another silly name

Will there be a special Yorkshire edition called the Eh Up? Almost as silly a name as the Renault Wind. Those minded to buy a VAG futter pop 3 cylinder are likely to be heading in a Skoda or Seat direction

By aeolus on 27 December, 2011, 2:37pm

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Facts and Figures

Verdict

Let’s cut to the chase – the VW up! wins this test comfortably. Put simply, it redefines what is possible for a city car.

Refined, spacious, beautifully built, safe and good to drive, the up! feels like a car from the class above. Factor in its extensive list of equipment, attractive price and upmarket image, and it takes a dominant victory. 

So, where does this leave its rivals? Next in the pecking order is the Kia. In stylish Halo trim the Picanto is pricey, but it features loads of standard kit and offers excellent aftersales care. Only the coarse engine, artificial steering feel and firm ride let it down.

The Fiat 500 still has plenty to recommend it, including head-turning looks, a classy cabin and an eye-catching price. But it’s hampered by poor practicality and a miserly specification.

Bringing up the rear is the Aygo. It’s still charming and fun, but a low-rent cabin, cramped boot and cheap feel count against it.

However, the VW’s reign at the top could be short-lived, as its identical SEAT and Skoda siblings promise to be just as talented, but at an even lower price.

1. Volkswagen High up! 1.0
It’s no understatement to say the up! has turned the city car class on its head. The grown-up driving dynamics and practical, upmarket cabin make it a class champion. 

2. Kia Picanto 1.25 Halo
The three-door Picanto hasn’t stayed on top for long. But with its big car features and aftersales package, it’s still a desirable car. Cheaper models make more sense.

3. Fiat 500 1.2 Pop
The Fiat still takes some beating for style and charm. It has a classy cabin and composed chassis, too. Yet Pop spec has a miserly kit tally and it costs more to run than rivals.

4. Toyota Aygo Go!
Don’t be put off by the Toyota’s last place finish. If driving fun and low running costs matter most, it’s a fine buy. But time is catching up with the Aygo; it feels outclassed.
 
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