Worth the effort?
This section usually only includes cars that have just been released on the market. That does not apply in this case, because the Volkswagen Up has been with us for more than ten years now. Still, Volkswagen’s smallest is interesting enough to run through the configurator again, especially because of the huge price difference with a few years ago. Is it still worth ordering a new Up today?
Volkswagen Up 1.0 MPI
€17,890
Almost 18 grand. That is the amount that you now have to pay for the unnamed basic version of the Up. In that case you get the well-known 1.0 MPI under the hood, which now has 65 hp instead of 60 hp. The last time the Volkswagen Up was a guest in this section, it was still on the price list for at least €11,750. When the Up was introduced in 2011, the base price was even €8,490. In short, the starting price of the Up has more than doubled in ten years.
As fast as the price of the Up rose, so much did the number of versions on the price list fall. For starters, the three-door is no longer available. Furthermore, Volkswagen supplies the Up in addition to the nameless basic version only as a sportier R-Line. Do you want more power than the 65 hp of the 1.0 MPI? Then you immediately have to make a big jump to the Up GTI, which has a starting price of €24,090. Previously, there was another step in between in the form of the Up 1.0 TSI, but that motorization had to clear the field.
Injected
Although LED lighting is often the norm for basic models these days, the Up does not participate in this. Volkswagen’s smallest does have LED daytime running lights, but the low beam is halogen. The 14-inch steel wheels with hubcaps that the Up is on are also pretty basic. Volkswagen does give the entry-up mirrors and door handles. Previously, these cases were still made of black plastic. The standard color for the Up is the shown ‘Teal Blue’, for any other color you pay an additional cost. For unilak you lose €180, metallic paint costs €580 to €720.
Volkswagen Up
Options such as parking sensors and keyless entry are not included for the base price, but the Up has standard central locking with a remote control. You have to switch on the lights and wipers yourself and you also have to adjust the mirrors manually. Fortunately, opening the front side windows requires hardly any effort, because they are electrically operated. You have to manually fold out the rear side windows for some fresh air.
Radio and air conditioning
Speaking of fresh air, air conditioning is standard on the Up these days. That was not the case before. You also had to pay extra for a radio, but it is now also included as standard. That is also the most comprehensive system that Volkswagen offers for the Up, with Bluetooth and smartphone integration. You can store your phone in the holder on top of the dashboard and via an app you can view certain vehicle data and use navigation. The size of the ‘infotainment screen’ is therefore determined by the type of phone you own.
Volkswagen Up
Furthermore, it is mainly black on board the Up. The seats are covered with black fabric and some silver accent frames and buttons are a welcome change from the otherwise black dashboard. The steering wheel is covered with plastic and only adjustable in height. The latter also applies to the driver’s seat. In terms of safety systems, the Up has a brake assistant and Lane Assist on board.
If you want more luxury, you can first choose from three packages. With the Comfort Package you get a rain and light sensor, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and automatic air conditioning for an additional cost of €770. If you only want the rain and light sensor, you can also opt for the Light & Sight Package for €160. The third package is the Winter Package for €440, which includes heated front seats, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and front fog lamps with cornering lights. Check all these options and you will still be under the 20 grand limit. If you go for the Up as an R-line, you will immediately cross that limit with a starting price of €20,640. Then you get 16-inch alloy, an R-Line front bumper, a sports suspension, tinted glass at the rear, cornering lights and a rain sensor.
Worth the effort?
Compared to last time, the Up got some equipment as a basic version. The current basic version can be compared with what used to be the Move Up, which was on the price list for €13,190 and then you didn’t have air conditioning. You could order it for €612. With more or less the same equipment, however, there is still a price difference of 5 grand. Those sharply increased prices are unfortunately the fate of the A-segment. If we look at the competition, for example, you get into a Toyota Aygo X for €16,950. Then you don’t have a radio, but you do have adaptive cruise control. The Kia Picanto has also become a pretty expensive boy with a base price of €16,495, the Hyundai i10 is a lot cheaper with €15,195.
The sharp price increase does not only apply to Volkswagen, but applies to the entire A-segment. The Volkswagen Up is therefore still quite a good deal today, although you drive around in a car that is basically more than ten years old and that in its current facelifted form will last quite a few years.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl