Volkswagen Up
City car is now limited to one petrol engine with just 59bhp; is it strong enough? On sale Now Price from £12,880
WHILE MOST MANUFACTURERS seek to pack as much punch into their engines as possible, Volkswagen has taken the step of re-evaluating the need for high horsepower numbers. That’s why the revised Up range (not including the standalone Up GTI hot hatch and fully electric e-up models) offers just one engine, with a mere 59bhp at its disposal.
There’s still enough pep for the urban driving that the little Up suits so well. However, when faced with a steep hill on the motorway, you’ll need to shift down a gear or two to maintain momentum, while getting up to speed with any urgency in the first place requires you to rev the car hard. This makes it all the more noticeable that its three-cylinder engine isn’t as smooth as the four-cylinder units found in the rival Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto.
It’s actually a real shame that Volkswagen has decided to discontinue the 89bhp engine that we previously
BUYER’S FILE
recommended in the Up, because it was significantly livelier and barely any thirstier in the real world.
More positively, the Up’s ride remains supple and composed, taking city potholes in its stride, and its precise steering helps you manoeuvre around car parks and tackle twisty roads with confidence. Just bear in mind that the i10 is just as comfortable and the Picanto handles with even greater composure.
Despite the Up’s compact dimensions, even talller adults will be able to get comfortable up front, because its boxy shape and high roof afford generous head room, and there’s a decent range of adjustment to the seats. Room in the back is surprisingly good, too.
Volkswagen Up 60PS R-line Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox 0-62mph Top speed Economy CO2, tax band
FIRST DRIVE
There’s no touchscreen infotainment system; all you get is a phone cradle on the dashboard and a 5.0in colour screen to display radio settings or a rear-view camera image, if fitted.
However, while the Up is a little pricier than the equivalent i10 or Picanto, it holds onto its value well, and its official fuel economy of 51.4mpg is decent. Unfortunately, you can’t specify automatic emergency braking (AEB), and the absence of this important feature contributed to the Up receiving a Euro NCAP safety rating of just three stars out of five.