Which used Volkswagen Up should you buy?

Launched in 2012, the Volkswagen Up city car is still very competitive compared with newer rivals. Inside, there’s a minimalist feel to the design and controls, and the basic media systems can make it feel a bit spartan - there are no enormous touchscreens here. But in truth, it’s not a low-tech experience.

The Volkswagen Up allows you to connect your phone up to its systems just as you’d expect in a modern car, and some models are equipped with reversing cameras.

On the road, the Volkswagen Up is much more comfortable than you’d expect from a car of this size, but versions with bigger wheels will shake you around a bit on bumpy roads. Pick the Volkswagen Up GTI version, with its 115PS 1.0-litre engine, and there’s plenty of pep too.

It’s just a shame that from 2020 the only other engine available on new models was the basic 1.0-litre model with 61PS. It’s fine around town, but older versions – such as the 91PS 1.0-litre turbocharged model – felt a bit more flexible in their performance, offering a much greater spread of power.

There’s also an electric version of the  Volkswagen Up, but its range is quite limited unless you can find the newer 32.3kW model – which is rather expensive. As with many electric models, though, prices drop quickly on used versions, making these much more affordable than they were new.

Whichever version you choose, you’ll find the Volkswagen Up is a compact and practical city car that’s easy to live with and cheap to run, without feeling cheaply made.

Read our full Volkswagen Up review

What used Volkswagen Up trim levels are available?

The range initially started with the entry-level Volkswagen Take Up and in the 12 years on sale, it has constantly evolved to the point it now includes an electric version, the Volkswagen e-Up.

Even the most basic versions feel as well put together as the more generously equipped models in the range, so if you simply want an affordable car that looks good and is enjoyable to drive, it’s an excellent choice.

Volkswagen Take Up

The Volkswagen Take Up is relatively basic – air-conditioning is not even available as an option and you don’t get alloy wheels or electric windows. That means that the big selling point for this version is its low price tag. Standard equipment includes:

• ABS
• Cloth seat trim
• Driver, passenger and side airbags
• Steering wheel rake adjustment
• Traction control
• Steel wheels

Volkswagen Move Up

The Volkswagen Move Up model sprinkles a few more luxuries into the mix. There’s also a useful height-adjustable boot floor and split-fold rear seats. The only drawback is that it only come with the lower-powered 61PS engine.

• Air-conditioning
• Body-coloured bumpers
• CD player
• Front electric windows
• Full-size spare wheel
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Remote locking

Volkswagen High Up

If you want more luxuries, the Volkswagen High Up will most likely be up your street. At this trim level, the zippier 91PS turbocharged petrol engine is also on offer as well. This is much more suited to motorway trips and faster country roads.

• Leather-covered steering wheel
• Leather-covered gear lever
• Electrically adjustable door mirrors
• Five-inch media screen
• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Front foglights

Volkswagen Up Beats

If you’re into your music, the Volkswagen Up Beats should appeal, with a very punchy audio system. The Volkswagen Up Beats also gets a few styling tweaks to differentiate it from other models in the range, and a choice of engines, too.

• Six-speaker 300W Beats stereo with subwoofer
• Body-coloured bumpers
• Front electric windows
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Remote locking
• Sat-nav
• Air-conditioning

Volkswagen Up GTI

There aren’t many rivals to the sporty Volkswagen Up GTI, with its 115PS 1.0-litre engine. Other cars you might want to consider are the Abarth 595 or the Suzuki Swift Sport, which are both more powerful but more expensive. The Volkswagen Up GTI is affordable, fun to drive and stylish, and its key features include:

• Air-conditioning
• Alloy wheels
• Body-coloured bumpers
• CD
• Electric mirrors
• Front electric windows
• Front foglights
• Heated mirrors
• Heated seats
• Height adjustable driver’s seat
• Remote locking
• Sat nav
• Steel wheels

Volkswagen e-Up

The Volkswagen e-Up is the electric version of the city car, and battery power suits this little runabout rather well. It’s relatively rare as it never sold in huge numbers, but if you’re after a compact electric car, it ticks a lot of boxes.

Models with the 18.7 kWh battery have a range of less than 100 miles, though, making it best suited for short journeys. If you want an Volkswagen e-Up that goes further, it’s worth seeking out the version with the much larger 32.3 kWh battery, as this offers a WLTP range of 161 miles. Equipment highlights include:

• Air-conditioning
• Heated front seats
• Heated windscreen
• Rear view camera
• Cruise control

Volkswagen Up

For 2020 onwards, Volkswagen refreshed its line-up for the Up. Basic models are simply called Up, but kit was more generous than on the early models. In addition, there were Volkswagen Up White Edition and Volkswagen Up Black Edition trims which got interior and exterior design tweaks, while Volkswagen Up R-Line models get a sporty look, lower and stiffer suspension, plus heated front seats. Kit for the basic Volkswagen Up includes:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Digital radio
• Smartphone connectivity
• Five-inch media screen

Is the Volkswagen Up a good buy?

The Volkswagen Up has been around since 2012 and has proven itself a popular city car loved by its drivers for a combination of elegant styling, good build quality and affordable prices.

That’s a recipe common to many Volkswagen models, but when it was launched, the idea of a grown-up feeling city car was an innovative one. Traditionally, city cars offered good value for money, but tended to feel like bargain-basement motoring in comparison.

The upmarket feeling of the Vokswagen Up still sets it apart from its rivals today, although the likes of the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto are much more sophisticated than they used to be and make for appealing alternatives.