Volkswagen Up auto 2012 review

A cheap, micro-size hatch that will slash your commuting costs generally sucks out all the fun of getting to work.

Not any more. Volkswagen has made a car that will make you start looking forward to driving to work, make you smile when you refill it and make your friends envious with its versatility and low running costs.

However, for about $15,000, the European-made Up is just about the worse headache for any aspiring Chinese car maker.

The Up gets here late this year in three and five-door formats, with one three-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox - but an automatic will be here early next year - and two trim levels.

It is the sister to the Skoda Citigo that will be on sale in Australia early in the new year at a small price discount to the Up. Both share the body and drivetrain with the only distinction being minor cabin trim and different noses and tails.

The Up replaces the three-door Polo variants and becomes Volkswagen’s price leader. But it’s not built down to a price, doesn’t look cheap and certainly doesn’t perform like a low-rent import.

I’m driving the five-door Up in Wolfsburg in the shadow of the factory that makes Volkswagens - but not the Up because the new baby is built in Slovakia.

The previous week I drove the manual version of the Skoda clone in Portugal. But, unexpectedly, Volkswagen has lent me its new automatic model. I don’t complain.

VALUE

So we think the Up will start at $15,000, adding about $1500 for the auto. It’s a budget car so it’s unlikely you’d opt for the sunroof. Satellite navigation is optional but consider it because it neatly integrates audio, telephone hands-free plus you won’t get lost.

So you may have burnt nearly $20,000 before it’s on the road and suddenly it’s not a cheap car. Economy is brilliant - Volkswagen claims about 4.5 l/100km and I returned 5.1 l/100km without being soft on it. Commute 200km a week and you’ll get change out of $15 - catch the bus or train and you’ll blow about $35 a week.

It runs on 95 petrol. Do your homework first - the Up equates in cabin space to a Yaris, Mazda2 or Hyundai Accent but is shorter on the outside. It gets a good equipment level but it’s most endearing feature is it is very practical, very simple and so cute that it’s possibly on its way to become a cult car.

DESIGN

It’s basically a chamfered box that is a petite 3.5m long. It’s very Teutonic in its design so looks purposeful. The tailgate is a glass panel, while the rear doors don’t have wind-down windows (they are hinged) and the boot has a double floor with room for a full-size spare. The 60/40 split rear seats fold almost flat.

The cabin is fresh and even delights with visible painted metal, perforated cloth trim, simple controls (one main speedo flanked by a weeny tacho and fuel gauge) and yet will seat two adults in the rear. The base model (Take-Up or Move-Up) gets 14-inch steel wheels and the top-line one - called High-Up - has 15-inch alloys.

TECHNOLOGY

The engine is a three-cylinder turbo-petrol and Volkswagen says it has no plans to make a diesel version because this one’s economical enough. There’s a five-speed manual or five-speed automated manual (clutchless) with electric-assist steering and simple suspension. The key is its strong and rigid chassis that makes the simple mechanical bits work so well. For example, the ride comfort and handling are very good and this car is the best in its class. That makes it fun and safe to drive.

SAFETY

Volkswagen is claiming a five-star crash rating which is made all the more  impressive given it has - and only needs - four airbags. There’s the company’s City Emergency Braking system to prevent you running into the guy in front at low speeds, stability control and brake assist. The spare tyre size is unknown but the wheel well will fit full-size rubber.

DRIVING

Three cylinders may sometimes mean lots of unpleasant vibration and an unusual exhaust note, but no-one told Volkswagen. The 1-litre will spin easily to 6500rpm and pump out its 55kW/95Nm with eagerness. The manual gearbox (as tested in the Citigo) is lovely but the clutchless manual needs a bit of patience. Basically you can leave it in Drive or click up and down the five cogs via the gearshifter. 

There is a pause between each gear which can be annoying but take your time and it’s an easy box to use if you’re not in a big hurry. Delightfully, it blips on downchanges so you can at least pretend you’re an ace driver. Ride comfort is very good. The body is tight, there’s no suspension noise over rough bitumen and the steering is light but has sufficient feel to make it enjoyable to steer.

Rear drum brakes look odd but there’s no problem with their stopping power. Basically, it’s the best small-car for the city and that may get re-rated if the Kia Picanto, Citroen C1 or Peugeot 107 make it to Australia.

VERDICT

Do yourself a favour and go and drive this thing when it arrives about November. Lots of fun, so sensible and very well made. Love it.

VOLKSWAGEN UP

Price: est. from $15,000
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Resale: n/a
Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 months
Safety Equipment: four airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.
Crash rating: 5 stars
Engine: 55W/95Nm 1.0-litre 3-cyl turbo-petrol
Body: 5-door, 4 seats
Dimensions: 3540mm (L);1641m (W); 1478mm (H); 2420mm (WB)
Weight: 929kg
Transmission: 5-spd manual/5-spd auto; front-wheel-drive
Economy: 4.5 l/100km; 95 RON; 105g/km CO2