Volkswagen up! (2012-2023) - MPG, CO2 and running costs
The Volkswagen Up is a small car with a small engine, which means low running costs
Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2012-2023 Volkswagen up! city car. If you are interested in information about a used Volkswagen up!, or news about the latest Volkswagen models, please follow the links provided.
If you order a Volkswagen up! today the only engine available is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol motor that produces 64bhp and produces CO2 emissions of up to 119g/km. According to Volkswagen, the three-door up! can deliver a maximum combined economy of 55.4mpg, while the five-door version will return 54.3mpg at best.
Volkswagen doesn’t offer a diesel or hybrid engine with the up! and the 113bhp up! GTI is no longer available to order. If you buy a secondhand example of the GTI though, it's only slightly less efficient than the less sporty models, rated to deliver 51.4mpg and emit 125g/km of CO2.
The fully-electric e-up! is no longer part of VW's line-up, either. But again, find a used example and the 36.8kWh battery in newer models should allow for a maximum range of 159 miles (based on the WLTP test cycle that is), while older models can cover less than 100 miles on a single charge.
Insurance groups
Being a small car with a focus on value, the Volkswagen up! is about as cheap to insure as it gets. The entry-level three-door up! sits in group 2 out of 50, as does the base five-door model, while Black Edition, Beats and R-Line variants all land in group 3. As a result, the VW up! will make a great car for learner drivers, who normally pay high premiums to insure their cars. Unsurprisingly, premiums will predictably rise if you opt for the GTI, as this sits in group 17.
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Depreciation
The Volkswagen up! is predicted to keep around 55 per cent of its original value after an average ownership period of three years and 36,000 miles.
To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our valuation tool...
