Volkswagen Up! Review | A Comprehensive Car Review by Wagonex

If you need a roomy city car that’s good to drive, the VW Up! is one of the best. Oh, and don’t assume that because the Up! is Volkswagen’s entry level car that it’ll be low on quality and low on specification. Wrong. You get the same sort of quality that you can expect at the top of the VW range and a decent level of standard kit.  

The Volkswagen Move Up! gives you air conditioning, DAB radio, electric front windows, remote central locking, tyre pressure monitor, Bluetooth, height adjustment to the driver’s seat and the steering wheel, tinted windows, and really smart alloy wheels. There’s also a host of safety equipment. 

As soon as you hop in you’ll be surprised by the amount of space. The Up! easily copes with two adults in the back, and any kids will be perfectly at home. As for boot space, don’t be fooled by the exterior dimensions because it’ll swallow bags for a weekend away or the week’s shopping like it’s nothing. Fold the rear seats forward for any trips to the tip.

As for comfort, you can’t go wrong. The seats are supportive and, as with the rest of this car, are made from top-notch materials.

The 1.0 litre 59bhp 3-cylinder petrol engine is seriously economical too: go easy and you’ll crack 60mpg. 0-60 takes a shade over 13 seconds which means it’s nippy enough around town but equally at home on the motorway. It sounds good too, and the manual gearbox has a lovely feel to it. 

The ride is outstanding. Many small cars tend to have a rather choppy ride but the Up! absorbs lumps and bumps yet remains stable at speed. The power steering is light around town but gains weight when you hit the motorways. Visibility is terrific; it’s perfect for city driving. 

Overall, if refinement and quality is what you are looking for in an economical city car, you can’t go wrong with the Volkswagen Up! It’s good to drive, well equipped, and will happily cope with both city life and a sprint along the motorway. It’s also great fun to drive. 

What an absolutely cracking car.

Our complete range of Volkswagen.