Summary
The Volkswagen Up (styled as the up!) is a city car-class small hatchback, available with either three or five doors. It is effectively the same vehicle as the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo, neither of which are still on sale.
An electric version of the Up was also available for several years, called the e-Up. Unsurprisingly, this is virtually identical to the SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV, although all of these electric models have now ended production. There is also a high-performance model called the Up GTI, which we have covered separately.
Despite being in production for nearly a decade, the Volkswagen Up is still one of the highest-rated small cars on sale. As of November 2022, its Expert Rating of 77% is still one of the top small cars on sale. Interestingly, this is significantly better than the electric e-Up, with the consensus of reviewers being that the little Volkswagen works much better as a petrol car than an electric one.
The Volkswagen Up has been highly praised for its build quality and driving dynamics, as well as its low running costs. However, its safety rating was downgraded by Euro NCAP due to its lack of modern accident-avoidance technology.
Key specifications
Body style: Small three- and five-door hatch
Engine: petrol
Price: From £13,940 on-road
Launched: Winter 2011/12
Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (70hp) manual
“Though the Volkswagen Up! now sits in a market with several other key competitors, it’s still more than good enough a proposition. Cleverly put together and surprisingly refined, it’ll be a great option for those who want a comfortable around-town car that won’t fall over during longer journeys.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen up! is a sensible city car that offers practicality, style and plenty of fun.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up is as good as city cars get. It’s enjoyable to drive thanks to a smooth ride, alert handling and excellent refinement. It’s practical and affordable to buy and run, making this a sensational all-rounder. Don’t buy another city car before giving this one a look.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up city car isn’t revolutionary, it’s just quantifiably better than the opposition.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (75hp) manual High Up
Score: 7 / 10
“A high-quality and fashionable city car choice with a versatile petrol engine under the bonnet.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“This is a first-class city car, the king of the urban jungle – you can use it on motorways, but where this car really excels is through crowded urban landscapes.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Low running costs, good build quality and an easy driving experience make the Volkswagen up! an excellent city-car choice.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The VW Up is one of the most stylish and desirable city cars on sale, but it’s relatively expensive and some alternatives have a little more space in the back.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (60hp) manual R-Line
“The smallest car in the extensive Volkswagen range remains one very much in the ascendancy.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (60hp) manual R-Line
“Head out onto the open road, though, and the limitations of its tiny powerplant become more noticeable. Getting up to motorway speeds will test your patience and overtaking on country lanes will require careful consideration, a long straight and dropping down a gear or two.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (90hp) manual High Up
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up is undoubtedly one of the more talented small cars on the market, but it lacks the kind of on-paper performance that would put it on the radar of an evo reader.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (60hp) manual Move Up
“The main thing that characterises the Volkswagen Up! is that it resembles a shrunken Polo. It has a similar quality feel to its larger Volkswagen family members, and this is quite rare in the city car class. The downside is that there are cheaper cars in a segment where price is important.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up city car was launched in the UK back in the heady days of 2012 (remember them?) and rightly shook up the city car sector, bringing a level of quality and maturity that had not been seen in the sector before.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“There’s a great deal to like about the Volkswagen Up, not least the fact that it feels quite mature for a city car and doesn’t make you feel like it is a compromise over a bigger car.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Seven years after launch, the Volkswagen Up is still the best city car you can buy.”
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Motors.co.uk
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“City cars generally don’t cost the Earth to run and the Volkswagen Up is no exception. Regardless of your engine choice, you can look forward to a 60mpg+ fuel economy on paper, and the low purchase price and low emissions mean that road tax is inexpensive too.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The benchmark of the city car class”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s a VW. So it’s quality. Well-built, comfortable, easy to drive, cheap to run – and as big as a Polo inside. It can’t compete with the Fiat 500 for looks – or sales. But it is the best little car you can buy. It doesn’t feel cheap.
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (74hp) manual High Up!
“In short, the VW is a bloody good little car. But the Fiat’s quite a lot more than that. That’s why you’re going to say Up! yours to the Volkswagen and buy the 500 instead.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (60hp) manual Move Up!
Score: 8 / 10
“A small car that’s terribly grown-up but works well as a city car.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up might be more expensive than a SEAT Mii or Skoda Citigo, but it’s classier inside and available with a brilliant turbocharged engine, making the expense easy to justify. Choosing between the Up and the Hyundai i10 is harder; the Up is better to drive while the i10 more practical.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“This is the one they all need to watch out for. VW has finally got serious about the city car.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up combines fun driving manners with generous standard equipment, while a high-quality interior sets it apart from rivals such as the Kia Picanto. It’s a shame the entry-level engine is a little underpowered, though, and automatic emergency braking isn’t available.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Volkswagen Up feels right at home on tight city streets, thanks to its compact dimensions. And, with a new turbocharged engine, it’s not out of its depth on the motorway, either. Unfortunately, its ageing safety specs now render it a car to avoid.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 81%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 46%
Safety assist: 55%
Notes on safety
The Volkswagen Up was initially given a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP when it was first assessed, which was way back in 2011. However, it was reassessed in 2019 and downgraded to a three-star rating. It still provides competitive protection in the event of an accident, but it no longer meets the highest standards for avoiding an accident in the first place.
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of November 2022, the Volkswagen Up has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. The Up is now an old car, so it is likely that it will never be tested by Green NCAP. If it does ever happen, we’ll update this page with the results.
Reliability rating
As of November 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen Up to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Up, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Up has received
2020
- Auto Express Awards – Best City Car
2019
- Auto Express Awards – Best City Car
- What Car? Used Car Awards – Best City Car
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best sub-110g/km Petrol Car
2018
- Auto Express Awards – Best City Car
2017
- Auto Express Awards – Best City Car
2016
- Top Gear Awards – Best First Wheels
- Telegraph Cars Awards – Best Car Under £10,000
2013
- Fleet World Honours – Best City Car
- What Car? Awards – Best City Car
2012
- World Car of the Year
- What Car? Awards – Car of the Year
- Carbuyer Awards – Best City Car
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Compact Car
- Fleet World Honours – Best City Car
- Next Green Car Awards – Best City Car
2011
- Top Gear Awards – Best Small Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Up, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C1 | Fiat 500 | Fiat Panda | Hyundai i10 | Kia Picanto | Peugeot 108 | SEAT Mii | Skoda Citigo | Toyota Aygo
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