Volkswagen Up! 2011–2016 car dimensions: 3540 mm long, 1645 mm wide and 1489 mm high. Unladen weight is 929 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 251 litres.
The cabin feels roomy for a city car with good front space and decent rear room for two. Manual air conditioning is standard from mid trims with Climatronic auto option higher up. Maps + More portable 5-inch colour touchscreen handles nav, media, phone and vehicle info, standard on High up! and optional lower. Sensor pack adds cruise control and rear parking sensors. City Emergency Braking is available in the driver assistance pack on all models. No blind spot or lane keep systems appear in the specs.
Boot holds 251 litres with seats up. Fold the rear bench for 951 litres on a nearly flat floor. Variable boot floor is available from Move up! for level loading or extra depth.
Payload sits around 425 kg depending on trim and gearbox. No factory towing figures are listed for braked or unbraked trailers.
Sports suspension is an option that lowers the car 15 mm but no heavy-duty cooling or work-oriented reinforced setup is offered. Roof load is limited to 50 kg.
The cabin feels roomy for a small car thanks to the long wheelbase and higher seating position. Front and rear passengers get good headroom and leg support. Newly developed seats deliver solid comfort on longer trips. An optional panoramic tilt/slide roof lets in light and air. Controls sit in easy reach with a clear layout and quality finishes. Rear seats split and fold to expand the boot.
Combined fuel use from 4.2 l/100 km on BlueMotion Technology models
35-litre fuel tank
Oil change every 10,000 miles or 1 year
5-star Euro NCAP rating from 2011
Standard front airbags, head-thorax side airbags, ABS and ASR
ESP standard on all but entry grade. City Emergency Braking optional
The 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines return low fuel use. BlueMotion Technology versions add stop-start, battery regeneration and low-rolling-resistance tyres for the best figures. A natural-gas option later joined the range with even lower emissions. The 35-litre tank supports decent range in daily use.
Service follows a fixed schedule. Oil changes come every 10,000 miles or yearly. Interval services fall every 20,000 miles or two years. Full inspections start at 40,000 miles or three years then continue at similar steps. Optional packs cover maintenance costs at a fixed monthly rate.
Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2011 with strong adult and child scores. Standard kit includes front airbags, head-thorax side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, ABS with ASR and ISOFIX points. ESP is standard except on the base grade. City Emergency Braking is an option that can brake automatically below 30 km/h. An early crash sensor pre-activates restraints.
The body is light yet torsionally stiff, which aids both ride comfort and crash performance. Four adults fit with ease and the boot expands usefully when seats fold. Routine upkeep stays straightforward thanks to the simple mechanical layout and available service packs.
Length 3540 mm, Width 1645 mm, Height 1489 mm, Wheelbase 2420 mm (Up! 2011–2016)
Sources: manufacturer data, Volkswagen UK press kits, 2011-2016) and brochures.