Fuel economy: 22-23 km/l

The Volkswagen family's new arrival, named up! to evoke a cheerful mood. Announced in the summer of 2011, it was launched in Germany and several other countries starting in December. Priced under 10,000 euros, its low cost and fuel efficiency aim for success in the European market, which is skeptical of hybrids.


The fuel consumption is astonishingly low, using only 4.2-4.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km, which translates to 22-23 km per liter. A BlueMotion Technology version is also available, featuring systems like engine start/stop and brake energy regeneration for enhanced economy. Furthermore, a natural gas engine version with even lower CO2 emissions is planned for the near future.

A compact body, as expected

The up! we met at our Nice hotel was, as expected, compact. What's striking is that despite the car's total length of only 3.5 meters, the wheelbase exceeds 2.4 meters, making the cabin appear large. The benefit of the long wheelbase should translate to a spacious interior and improved ride comfort.

The doors are large but open and close easily. The "White up!" specification features a dashboard in the same white as the body, which exudes a sense of quality. There's also a "Red up!" with red accents on the dashboard. Volkswagen, which emphasizes quality through materials, skillfully combines glossy and matte finishes in the up!, while the steering wheel spokes, shift knob, and seat backs are used as advertising space, dotted with "up!" logos that add a youthful vibrancy.


The high-back seats, integrated with the headrests, have a sporty feel with their textured fabric and pleasant touch. The logo on the backrest signifies a unique design, which owners will surely appreciate. The dashboard features a "maps & more" touchscreen module for navigation and media playback.

Surprisingly strong acceleration

The newly designed 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine for the up! comes in two tunes: a 44kW version focused on fuel economy, and a 55kW version for users seeking more power. Additionally, it's available with either a 5-speed semi-automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. The model we tested was equipped with the 55kW/6200rpm power unit, producing 95Nm/2000-6000rpm of torque, paired with a manual transmission.

The body utilizes ultra-high-strength steel for approximately 40% of its structure, likely to enhance rigidity while minimizing weight. This engine provides ample agility, making the drive enjoyable on the winding roads from Nice to Monaco. Although the shift-up indicator suggests an early gear change for fuel efficiency, even shifting up below 2000rpm results in surprisingly strong acceleration.

Solid road holding and supple suspension

The gear feel is also good, and for those who enjoy manual transmissions, this specification is naturally recommended. However, it's likely that the semi-automatic version will be introduced in Japan. The concept of driving as a form of enjoyment seems to have never quite resonated with many people in Japan.

The up! also boasts a quiet cabin and is a well-executed car. Volkswagen states its development objective is "urban mobility," implying it's for daily commuting. However, experiencing its solid road holding and supple suspension makes one feel it's too valuable to be judged solely on that basis.

A 4-door version is likely for Japan

Volkswagen Japan has expressed a strong interest in introducing the up! to the Japanese market. However, it appears the 4-door version, announced later, is the likely candidate for Japan. Japan favors 4-door cars. Beyond the aesthetic completion, it's a fact that 4-door cars with shorter doors are easier to use in tight urban parking spaces.

The styling is characterized by a front face reminiscent of a human expression. Along with the front bumper design, which Volkswagen itself describes as "as if smiling," the subtle grille opening is also a memorable feature. The latter is explained as, "The up! does not require a large air inlet as it is equipped with a small engine or will be fitted with an electric motor in the future."

Surprisingly spacious luggage compartment

Furthermore, the rear features a glass hatch-style tailgate. Despite its short length, the engine compartment is compactly designed, and with consideration for seat arrangements, the luggage space is surprisingly generous. It can accommodate two carry-on suitcases.

The interior is comfortable, and looking at the dashboard, the simple yet stylish design and the high quality of the parts leave a strong impression. With Volkswagen aiming to be the world's number one automaker while maintaining this level of quality at this price point, its power is truly concentrated here. In Japan, it's likely to compete with the Polo. If a hot version like the GTI is released, it would undoubtedly be very well received.