About the Volkswagen UP!
JOB purchased this Volkswagen UP! used for $6,500 (including all on-road costs) in 2017. JOB would buy this car again because: “The Up! drives like a bigger car, is super fuel efficient and it’s nice to drive around in something that fits into any gap! It’s also a car you don’t see enough of on the road and it’s a shame as it should have sold in better numbers.
I’m hoping the e-Up comes to Australia in the future (or what it’s successor is) to begin my electric car journey!”
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
The Up! has been the most reliable car I have owned to date and is quiet easy to do your own servicing on.
Apart from normal fluid changes it has only had to have spark plugs and brakes replaced in the 70,000 kilometres I have owned it for. It now has 205,000 kilometres on the clock and doesn’t look like slowing down!
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
It’s been a pleasure owning the Up!, It really is one of those cars that wants for nothing and provided you are aware of it’s limitations (mainly power) it’s very useable and gets every job done in comfort and style.
I’ve taken it on journeys where most would think it isn’t capable with plenty of interstate touring, country dirt roads and it has just been a delight.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
I was very fortunate when shopping for the Up! that one with all of the options packages came up for sale. This included heated seats, a sunroof, alloy wheels, fog lights, navigation and more!) which made it an outstanding value pick.
I think the car is very underrated and when cross-shopped with other micro cars it hits them out of the park pound for pound. The big reason for it not being a bigger success was the fact they were bought out as a manual only proposition (Europe got an automatic).
The faux leather seats are really easy to clean and the car has a lot of metal trim surfaces in the cabin that are scratch proof and a nice design touch.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
The most remarkable trait of the Up is its fuel economy, bang for buck you can start helping the environment today by downsizing from the SUV you don’t need and get sub-5.0L per 100km in every situation.
The best bit is it does this without complex hybrid or turbo technology which makes for a robust overall package with little to go wrong. While I save up for an electric car this was my gateway to cleaner motoring having come from an SUV myself that used 12.5L per 100km this represented not only great economic savings but has reduced my carbon footprint.
As I mentioned earlier in the review there is one elephant in the room and that’s the lack of power, having said that if you are aware of it it’s very easy to live with and just means if you are coming to hilly areas drop back a gear or two, if you’re overtaking just time it.
The car is lightweight and has get up and go to 80km/h making it fantastic for the city which would be considered it’s natural environment. But as mentioned this thing rides so nicely on the open road that it’s quite capable of the Sydney to Melbourne run.
The motor also sounds fantastic and it’s both a pro and a con, whilst it sounds great at highway speeds it can be intrusive into the cabin on a long highway run, outside of that though it’s a delight to row through the gears around town and is a car that feels feels fast even when you’re going slow thanks to it’s light weight and motor noise combination.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
The technology in the car is very much for the time it was developed in 2013. The maps system is outdated but it has a Bluetooth connection and streaming function which gets the job done and you can have Google Maps running on your phone.
This was also the cheapest car at the time to have Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), which activates at city speeds which is good for congestion traffic. I haven’t had it activate yet but is nice to know it’s there.
The cruise control works, as do the electric windows and the sound system is one of the better ones I have had in a car, crisp and clear with a good radio antenna.
The car also has heated seats which have been a real treat in winter and makes for good pain relief after exercise!
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
One word… glue! The car just sticks to the road whether it’s a trundle down the highway in poring rain or on a twisty mountain road it feels unfazed by it all.
The car is also lightweight which gives it great poise on change of direction and allows it to settle quickly over any bumps. It also has the ability to absorb bumps from our typically pockmarked roads down here in Victoria.
One downside is road noise is higher than ideal on a country run, primarily due to engine noise (3000rpm at 110km/h) which can be lived with.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
I really do enjoy the VW Up! for everything it provides, its good nature and clean motoring fun make it a standout.
The day I have to give it up will be a tough day (which may come soon with a baby on the way) but it may live on through that with good ISOFIX points in the rear!
I can highly recommend giving one a go and they would make a terrific first car or commuter beast provided you are willing to learn in a manual.
It is budget motoring at its absolute finest!