VOLKSWAGEN UP HATCHBACK REVIEW

For The Volkswagen Up is a funky-looking city car, which is economical, spacious and good to drive.

Against It looks a bit pricey compared with some rivals and the lower-powered engine can struggle on the motorway.

What Car? says

55 5stars

The Volkswagen Up is the best city car on the market - it's great to drive, classy and spacious to sit in and has a desirable image. In fact, it's our Car of the Year 2012, and accolades don't come much bigger.

What Car? readers say

4

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The full Volkswagen Up review

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Three-cylinder not fast
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
Supple ride, agile and nimble
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Could be quieter at high speed
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Not cheap, good investment
Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Better than the class norm
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
All the kit you really need
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Great layout and comfortable
Space & Practicality
5 out of 5 stars
Good for passengers and luggage
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Ok, but lots of good-value options

There are 6 Volkswagen Up versions available

Hatchback 1.0 60 take up! 3dr	£7,995	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.0 60 move up! 3dr	£8,970	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.0 60 B'motion Tech move up! 3dr	£9,330	TBA
Hatchback 1.0 75 high up! 3dr	£10,390	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.0 75 up! black 3dr	£11,180	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Hatchback 1.0 75 up! white 3dr	£11,180	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

We’ve driven both versions of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol VW Up, with a mixed bag of results. The higher-powered 74bhp car copes well at motorway speeds, but it’s not very fast and it needs plenty of revs to get going. The 59bhp version is even slower, and while it’s more than capable on urban roads, it can struggle a bit on the motorway.

There are three trim levels to choose from, and all come with four airbags and ABS as standard. It is also the first supermini to boast an automatic emergency braking system, and although it doesn’t come as standard, it can be fitted to any version as an option – it’s reasonably priced, too.

As you’d expect from a car in this segment, the VW Up is pretty basically kitted out at most levels. Air-conditioning and electric front windows only start mid-range, and if you want the terrifically handy portable sat-nav infotainment unit, you’ll either have to add it as an option or buy the top of the range car.