Even though it’s not available as a brand-new car any more, the VW Up is still one of our favourite small cars.
Some city cars may feel more modern than the Up, but few feel so robust and well built. The Up is very cheap to run, reliable and surprisingly spacious plus – with the wheels at each corner – it’s even quite fun to drive. Get the cliché klaxon ready: it feels like a go-kart.
If you’re keen on a VW Up, here’s how to get the best model for you.
Volkswagen Up models
The Volkswagen Up was offered as a three-door or five-door hatchback – in both cases, the boot opening is classed as a means of getting in and out.
It replaced the disappointing Volkswagen Fox as the brand’s smallest and cheapest model, and was a much better car – it was smarter, better built and more practical. The fact it could fit four people, plus an engine and a small boot, in a 3.6-metre-long footprint was remarkable. There are some larger cars that aren’t as spacious as the almost cube-shaped Up.
Volkswagen doesn’t have anything Up-sized in its portfolio at the moment, but it’s working on a successor – the all-electric ID.Every1, which could be called the ID. Up.
Volkswagen e-Up
Electric cars were in their infancy when the Up launched, but VW was forward-thinking. Maybe it knew that it’d be caught up in the Dieselgate scandal...
For the majority of its lifespan, the Up was offered as an electric model. And, yes, even with the size of a battery pack, it retained the petrol car’s practicality.
Early e-Ups came with an 18.7kWh battery, which gave a best-case range of 100 miles (and almost certainly significantly less in the real world). Later on, the battery size doubled for a useful boost to 162 miles between charges.
The e-Up offers even cheaper running costs than a petrol Up – if you can charge at home, a full charge can cost literally a couple of pounds – as well as perkier performance. Not to mention extra equipment to offset the high price versus a petrol car when it was new.
Read our Volkswagen e-Up review or shop used Volkswagen e-Up cars for sale
Volkswagen Up GTI
If you’re more about driving thrills than saving money, the Up GTI is a pint-sized masterpiece. The basic ingredients don’t sound like much, but remember that it’s small and light – so its 115hp and nine-second 0-62mph time are on a par with the original Golf GTI. Unlike more serious hot hatches, the Up GTI is fun at any speed, and it turns every journey into a funfair ride. The Up GTI stands out with lots of red accents and tartan seat upholstery.
Read our Volkswagen Up GTI review or shop used Volkswagen Up GTI cars for sale
SEAT Mii
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Alongside the Up, the VW Group developed SEAT and Skoda versions. The SEAT Mii is often a little cheaper than an equivalent Up, although it’s not as widely available. It’s almost exactly the same besides the lights, bumpers and badges. During its lifetime, the Mii offered some fashion-focused trim levels in conjunction with famous brands, such as the Mii by Mango and Cosmopolitan editions.
Shop used SEAT Mii cars for sale
Skoda Citigo
Likewise, the Citigo is a rebadged Up and is also typically a little more affordable. So you get the same simple but well-built interior, and the same amount of space. For most of its time on sale, the Citigo was petrol-only, but in its final few months an electric Citigo e iV model was launched. These are rare, because only 400 or so came to the UK.
Shop used Skoda Citigo cars for sale
Volkswagen Up trim levels
- Up – unnamed standard model gets air conditioning, Bluetooth, alloy wheels and a cooled glovebox
- Move – an older trim that largely matches the ‘Up’ model’s standard equipment
- White Edition – larger alloy wheels and a clear white theme, with the roof, wheels and mirror caps in that colour
- Black Edition – sold alongside the White Edition with black trim instead of white
- Beats – a youthful-feeling edition with ambient lighting and a banging seven-speaker Beats audio system
- R-Line – a sporty-looking trim level with lowered suspension, heated seats and black trim
Over its time on sale, the Up has been available in many trim levels, such as the stripped-back Take Up. Look out for a few special editions if you’re considering older Ups, such as the Groove and the Street – the latter coming with an eye-catching stripe across the bonnet and roof.
Volkswagen Up by year
- 2007 – First Up concept shown with rear-wheel drive and a rear-mounted engine. VW goes on to unveil a host of Up-based concepts over the next few years, including an MPV, a solar-powered diesel hybrid and a beach buggy
- 2011 – The finalised Up is shown at the International Motor Show in Germany in September. Production starts in December
- 2012 – Wins World Car of the Year
- 2013 – e-Up introduced
- 2016 – Facelifted Up premieres at Geneva Motor Show, Switzerland. Sales started in summer 2016
- 2018 – Up GTI goes on sale in January
- 2019 – e-Up gains larger battery for more usable range
- 2023 – Up withdrawn from sale after more than a decade
What’s the best Volkswagen Up model?
Every Up model is good in its own right. The standard petrol Up is ideal if you want simple transport that doesn’t cost much to run. The e-Up is a superb commuter car or second car, perfect for nipping around with its smooth acceleration and zero exhaust emissions. Meanwhile, the Up GTI is a proper junior hot hatch with an emphasis on fun – and it makes 20mph feel like 120mph. No wonder it's quickly becoming a cult classic.
Read our Volkswagen Up review or shop used Volkswagen Up cars for sale.
