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Used Car Expert Rating

Volkswagen e-Up (2014 to 2022)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

74
%
A

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

63
%
D

Safety Rating:

52
%
D

Eco Rating:

100
%
-

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

100
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

74
%
A

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

63
%
D

Safety Rating:

52
%
D

Eco Rating:

100
%
-

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

100
%
A

Summary


The Volkswagen e-Up (styled as e-up!) had been around in the UK since 2014, undergoing a major update in 2019, before it was discontinued in 2022. It was developed from the mainstream Up range which is still available – regarded by many reviewers as the best small car on the market.

The e-Up arrived in early 2014, two years after the original petrol Up. Facelifted versions had a far more efficient drivetrain than earlier models. An 82hp motor was paired a 32kWh battery to produce an official range of 161 miles – further than the more recent Mini Electric and Honda e, both of which cost rather more than the Volkswagen.

Plus points included a charging socket where the fuel filler cap would normally be, a full recharge from a 7kW home wallbox taking around four hours. Reviewers pointed out the flaw in Volkswagen’s much trumpeted claim that a fast charger will add 80% to the battery in under an hour, as most rapid chargers are at motorway service areas and the e-Up was more likely to be employed around town than eating up motorway miles.

The e-Up was like many EVs; quiet and refined on the road, but for a small car its handling was considered ponderous. Reviewers did like the extensive regenerative braking options though, helping to put charge back into the battery. 

Despite equipment including two-zone air-conditioning, heated seats and a rear-view camera, the £24K starting price of the e-Up! earned criticism. The fit and finish was highlighted as tired compared to more recent rivals. Instead of a proper infotainment system, drivers were expected to plug in their phone – the interior was not significantly updated in the decade the car was on sale.

After production stopped and started during 2020 and 2021 thanks to Covid-19 factory shutdowns and then supply shortages, the Volkswagen e-Up finally ended production in 2022.

No longer on sale, the Volkswagen e-Up has a Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. That’s the same rating, although a point behind, the petrol version of the Up.

e-Up highlights

  • Better battery range than some pricier rivals
  • Refined and quiet on the road
  • Generous rear-seat space and boot
  • Sensible placement of charging socket

e-Up lowlights

  • Expensive for a city car
  • Modest equipment levels
  • Uninspiring handling
  • Now dated against newer rivals

Key specifications


Body style: Small five-door hatch
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price when new: From £24,085 on-road

Launched: Winter 2013/14
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Ended production: Summer 2022


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Daily Mirror

+

Discover EV

+

Green Car Guide

+

Honest John

+

Motors

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 81%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 46%
Safety assist: 55%

Notes on safety

The Volkswagen e-Up shares its safety rating with the rest of the Up range, which is not always the case for an electric model. The Up was initially given a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP when it was first assessed, which was way back in 2011. However, it was reassessed in 2019 and downgraded to a three-star rating. Testers highlighted marginal chest protection in some tests, and that autonomous emergency braking was not a standard feature on the Up!

In summary, the e-Up still provides competitive protection in the event of an accident, but it no longer meets the highest standards for avoiding an accident in the first place.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Volkswagen e-Up was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen e-Up to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the e-Up, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models159 milesC159 – 159 milesC – C
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models6.3 m/KWhA4.9 – 8.3 m/KWhA – A
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models10A10 – 10A – A

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen e-Up has received

2016

  • Next Green Car Awards – Best City Car

2013

  • Next Green Car Awards – Next Generation Award

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Volkswagen e-Up, you might also be interested in these alternatives

BMW i3 | Fiat 500 Electric | Honda e | Mini Electric | Peugeot e-208 | Renault Zoe | SEAT Mii Electric | Smart EQ Fortwo | Smart EQ Forfour | Vauxhall Corsa-e

The rapidly expanding electric car market is changing almost monthly, but is still relatively small compared to the number of petrol and diesel models available. That means that there are fewer direct competitors but a variety of different cars for a given price point. Of the cars listed above, few are genuinely similar to the Volkswagen e-Up in terms of size and specification, but all are trying to fill a similar role for urban driving.

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The Volkswagen e-Up! has undergone significant improvements since its launch back in 2014, but the cabin and safety tech are now dated.Volkswagen e-Up (2014 to 2022)