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Microcars are particularly popular with novice drivers. The VW Up comes up with a decent safety equipment, and the visit to the TÜV does not have to generate high follow-up costs.
The VW Up is (still) the entry-level model from Wolfsburg. The small car has been available in Germany since the end of 2011. The successor of Fox should do a lot better than the little one with Brazilian roots and, above all, set standards again when it comes to quality. At least from the point of view of the TÜV, this has succeeded.
Body and interior
The VW Up stretches to a length of 3,54 meters and is therefore one of the short microcars. Its design looks mature and also timeless. Like its brothers Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, it rolls off the assembly lines in Bratislava.
Initially started as a three-door, VW quickly pushed the five-door variant. As an additional variant, there was the Cross Up in its own off-road design and with a higher body. The space is okay, but it is best for people who are not too tall to sit in the back. It is easier to get into the rear of the five-door model, and if you want to take passengers with you more often, this variant is better for you. The trunk volume is manageable at 251 liters; if you fold down the rear seat or the backrests, it is up to 959 liters.
In the price-sensitive segment of microcars, a sharp pen is expected, as is the case with the Up. Not all savings targets are visible at first glance. The steering wheel can only be adjusted in height, there is no trunk lighting and the driver was initially unable to operate the electric windows on the passenger side: there was no corresponding button on the driver's side.
The trunk holds a maximum of 960 liters 
It's rather narrow at the back
The cockpit offers good ergonomics in all variants, good seats and intuitive usability, the numerous shelves are also positive. An exotic item on the used car market is the Load Up van version, which has a loading area instead of the rear seat. In 2016 the Up received a facelift. Since then, the little one has come up with standard LED daytime running lights and modified bumpers, among other things.
Motors and drive
The range of engines for the Up consists of a one-liter three-cylinder petrol engine in various configurations. There is also an electric variant. The three-cylinder was initially available with 44 kW/60 hp and 55 kW/75 hp, each without turbo support. A little composure helps when deciding on these aggregates. The top speed is 162 km/h, the standard consumption is between 4,2 for the fuel-saving BlueMotion version and 4,7 liters.
The turbo with 2016 kW/66 hp that has been available since 90 is also economical on paper (4,4 liters) and reaches a top speed of 185 km/h. The 50 kW/68 hp natural gas upgrade, which consumes an average of 2,9 kilograms of natural gas, is also a pleasure at the gas station. The GTI is really fun. It gets 85 kW/115 hp from the turbocharged three-cylinder and drives at speeds of up to 196 km/h. The standard consumption of 4,4 liters cannot be met when implementing the GTI potential.
The electric Up delivers 60 kW/82 hp and initially only had a small battery with 16.4 kWh, which enables a range of up to 180 kilometers. Since 2019, a 32,3 kWh battery has been on board, which provides energy for up to 260 kilometers. With the exception of the E model, there is a manual transmission with five or six gears, alternatively there is a fairly automated manual transmission for the naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is considered technically vulnerable.
Equipment and safety
The names of the equipment lines changed over the long production period, only the addition "Up" remained a constant for a long time. there were also various special models such as "Color Up", "White Up" or "Black Up". In the days when the base price started at around 10.000 euros, the base levels such as “Take-Up” offered few comfort details. Air conditioning was not on board and the equipment was otherwise meager: three doors, an open glove compartment, a one-piece rear seat and a lot of black plastic - that had to be enough. The list of extras was and is extensive, offering a glass sunroof, reversing camera, sports suspension, 17-inch model or navigation system. The safety level is very decent for a small car. In the Euro NCAP crash test in 2011 it was enough for a five-star rating.
Quality
The VW Up does well in the TÜV main inspections (HU), even really well compared to its predecessor Fox. Axles and steering are not a problem, and oil loss is not an issue. The brakes, on the other hand, are striking at the HU. The TÜV inspectors criticize the functioning of the foot and parking brakes. The testers also often have complaints about the light. With older models, you should make sure that the emissions test has been completed.
Conclusion
A well-equipped Up was not a cheap pleasure, even for the first buyer. The approximately 10.000 euros for the basic model were quickly exceeded. Used and comfortable copies are therefore traded expensively on the used car market. You should be willing to invest 4.000 euros. With a few extras, 6.000 euros and more quickly become due.
