Volkswagen Up (2012 -) Review

With its cutely titled up! hatchback, Volkswagen has put together a clever package at a very competitive price. It may not be as left-field as the original rear engine concept that first appeared at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007 but it delivers a good level of refinement and an interior of a high quality that’s unusual in this sector of the market.

Spacious and practical

Both three and five-door versions of the up! are available, both with the same four-seater interior and a surprisingly deep and spacious boot.

Interior quality and levels of equipment will be familiar to existing Volkswagen customers too, so nobody will feel like they are trading down.

Three standard trims are available – the entry-level Take up!, the mid-line Move up! and the range-topping High up!

Inexpensive to run

From launch, the up! was available with a pair of 1.0-litre petrol engines offering 59 and 74bhp. The higher output variant is also available with BlueMotion Technology meaning slightly better fuel efficiency without sacrificing the Volkswagen’s other virtues.

Early 2014 sees the debut of the fully-electric e-up!, powered by an 81bhp motor. Visually it’s distinguished with LED front day running lights and has a range of 99 miles.

The up! already has strong rivals in the competitive city car sector, not least in-house from its sister cars the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo.

Can the up! keep the competition at bay and has VW done enough to keep its customers happy?

Read the full Volkswagen up! review to find out.