Volkswagen Up! 2011–2016 car dimensions: 3540 mm long, 1641 mm wide and 1489 mm high. Unladen weight is 929 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 251 litres.
The cabin offers a simple layout with a basic radio/CD player and AUX input as standard on entry models. Higher grades add manual air conditioning. An optional portable Maps & More unit provides a 5-inch colour touchscreen for navigation, Bluetooth phone, media playback and vehicle info. City Emergency Braking is available as an option or pack on most grades, using a laser sensor for automatic braking at low city speeds. Rear parking sensors and cruise control come in optional sensor packs on mid and high trims.
Boot space measures 251 litres with rear seats up. Folding the rear seats expands it to 951 litres on a nearly flat floor. A variable-height boot floor is fitted from mid trims for more flexible loading.
Payload sits around 350 kg depending on exact kerb weight and options. No factory towing ratings are listed for braked or unbraked trailers. Sports suspension is an optional pack on higher grades for firmer handling but the car remains a light city hatch not set up for heavy work use.
The cabin feels surprisingly roomy for a city car, with good head and leg room front and rear plus ergonomic seating that sits occupants at a comfortable height. Integral seats come in cloth patterns that vary by trim, with leather-look optional on mid and higher grades. Height-adjustable driver’s seat is available via pack or standard on better trims, and Easy Entry sliding front seats help rear access in the 3-door. Optional panoramic sunroof adds light and air. Materials and finishes feel solid and well-placed for the class, with practical storage and a clean, simple layout.
1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engines in 60 PS or 75 PS forms, with BlueMotion versions available.
Service intervals follow time-and-distance: oil change around every 10,000 miles or 1 year. longer inspection cycles thereafter (market-dependent figures also list 15,000 km/12 months).
Euro NCAP 5-star rating (2011) with 89% adult occupant, 80% child occupant, 46% pedestrian, 86% safety assist.
Standard safety includes front airbags, head-thorax side airbags, ABS, seatbelt reminders and tensioners, ISOFIX. ESP standard on most grades.
City Emergency Braking optional (first in class), active at low speeds with laser sensor.
The 1.0 three-cylinder petrol engines deliver modest power with strong low-end torque and good efficiency for city use. BlueMotion Technology packs add stop-start and low-rolling-resistance tyres for lower consumption. A five-speed manual is standard. an automated manual arrived later. Fuel tank is compact, suiting short urban trips.
Servicing uses a fixed time-and-distance schedule. Oil services come frequently (around yearly or 10,000 miles), with interval and inspection services at longer gaps. Galvanised bodywork carries a long anti-corrosion warranty. Keep to the indicator and authorised schedules for reliability on this simple mechanical layout.
Crash protection earned a full five stars from Euro NCAP in 2011 for the 3-door. Four airbags (dual front plus combined head-thorax sides) are standard, along with ABS, belt reminders and ISOFIX points. ESP is standard except on the most basic Take up! in some markets, where it joins the optional Driver’s assistance pack. City Emergency Braking is a standout optional low-speed auto-brake system that can mitigate or avoid urban shunts.
Living with the car is straightforward: compact dimensions ease parking and city driving, while the rigid body and well-tuned suspension give a composed ride. Optional packs add heated front seats, electric windows, remote locking and parking aids. Rear seats fold (split on higher trims) to expand the small boot. Regular checks on brakes, tyres and the timing belt keep ownership costs predictable.
Length 3540 mm, Width 1641 mm, Height 1489 mm, Wheelbase 2420 mm (Up! 2011–2016)
Sources: manufacturer data, Volkswagen Newsroom/UK press pack, Austrian VW pricelist, autoevolution/auto-data.net.