Summary
The smallest and cheapest member of Volkswagen’s performance-focused GTI family, the Volkswagen Up GTI is a compact hot hatch based on the Up city car. Although the regular Up models arrived back in 2012, the GTI version didn’t join the range until the middle of 2017.
The only model to be available with a six-speed manual gearbox across the Volkswagen Up range, this small hot hatch is powered by a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 115hp, which means that the Up GTI cannot muster the power to match its closest rivals; the 129hp Suzuki Swift Sport and the 145hp Abarth 595.
However, UK reviewers conclusively agree that less power does not mean less fun behind the wheel. Honest John concludes that the Up GTI “provides genuine laugh out loud fun, thanks to its miniscule weight, playful handling and zesty turbocharged 1.0-litre engine.”
“The Volkswagen Up GTI midget is a light, darty, chuckable, fizzy riot that growls like a baby Porsche”, explains The Sun. “It’s basically a four-seat go-kart that puts a stupid grin on my face every time I get behind the wheel.”
Car Keys comments that, while the Up GTI’s engine performance, power-to-weight ratio, agile handling and responsive gearbox culminate in a very fun driving experience, the hot hatch is an “impressively practical package”, like the city car it is based on. The Volkswagen Up GTI has also won two separate awards that name it as the best value option on the market.
Despite its practicalities, the Up GTI is not the most spacious hatch on the market, while its three-star Euro NCAP rating is also off the pace of newer cars. Although the Up GTI is fitted with a DAB digital radio as standard, there’s no option for a built-in navigation system. Instead, Volkswagen offers the ability to connect your smartphone for navigation and other functions.
As of November 2022, the Volkswagen Up GTI holds an Expert Rating of 70%, based on 18 UK media reviews. That compares very favourably with the Abarth 595 and Suzuki Swift Sport.
Up GTI highlights
- Punchy performance
- Responsive handling
- As practical as the regular Up
- Great value-for-money
Up GTI lowlights
- Infotainment system showing its age
- Sub-par safety rating
- Rigid ride is not the most comfortable
- Engine noise loud on motorways
Key specifications
Body style: Small three-door or five-door hot hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £17,190 on-road
Launched: Summer 2017
Last updated: Spring 2020
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen up! GTI is the antithesis of the bloated and overpowered performance cars that are almost unusable on UK roads. It provides proof that it’s possible to have fun while sticking to the speed limits.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI is as genial and charming a car as any pint-sized ‘pocket rocket’ there has ever been – and may be even more desirable than any. That it isn’t quite the driver’s car we’ve embraced in this performance niche over the years, however, is at once plain and slightly regrettable.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“They may share a nameplate, but the Volkswagen Up GTI has about as much in common with the Golf GTI as Kim Jong-Un has with Kim Kardashian. Now we’ve cleared that up, what we can say is that the Up GTI is a proper hoot.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up! GTI is a brilliant car. It combines perky performance, great handling and everyday usability in a small, yet impressively practical package. While it might not quite be the successor to the original Golf GTI, it’s definitely up there.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI isn’t a thoroughbred performance car, but it has a strong engine and makes a fun, sporty and stylish runaround.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI is a tiny hot hatch that’s loads of fun to drive, nippy enough to put a smile on your face and can even seat four – the engine can be a bit noisy on the motorway though.”
Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“It’s amazing what VW has achieved: 115hp, 200Nm of torque, a hugely efficient power-to-weight ratio and an incredible top speed of 126mph (Chris Evans)”
Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed:
“On the road, the Volkswagen Up! GTI delivers on all fronts. The six-speed gearbox is delightfully crisp and quick and the wide torque spread means you can get all the performance you want without having to over-rev the engine.”
Read review
Evo
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It might be the entry-level car in Volkswagen’s GTI range, but the Up GTI has masses of charm.”
Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Five-door hatch
Score: 8 / 10
“The up! GTI is enormous entertainment on a budget, yet back off the throttle and you get all the joys and economy of a small car, with the reassurance of big car performance.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s even better to look at than the regular Up, drives with a great deal of enthusiasm and doesn’t use a great deal more fuel in the process. It’s quite a bit more expensive than a 90hp regular Up, but it is a very appealing package if you can afford it.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Up GTI is the cheapest route into a hot hatch and provides genuine laugh out loud fun, thanks to its miniscule weight, playful handling and zesty turbocharged 1.0-litre engine.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Enormous fun on a budget, the Up GTI is one of the finest cars out there when it comes to pound-for-pound driving thrills. As is often the way, Volkswagen’s cheapest GTI model might just be one of its best. If not the best.”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed:
“The Volkswagen Up GTI midget is a light, darty, chuckable, fizzy riot that growls like a baby Porsche. It’s basically a four-seat go-kart that puts a stupid grin on my face every time I get behind the wheel.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
“A power pup to make you sit up and beg.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review
Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10
“You can tell it’s not had squillions spent developing it, but if you like hot hatches simple and scrappy, the Volkswagen Up! GTI is a little tonic.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s chirpy little three-cylinder engine serves up just enough performance to be interesting, while its slick gearbox and precise, meaty steering allow you to make the most of its grippy chassis.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed:
“Revives original VW GTI spirit.”
Read review
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 Up GTI shares its safety rating with the regular Up hatchback. 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. It 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.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: GTI 4×2 manual
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: February 2019
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.7 / 10
Notes on eco rating
The Volkswagen Up GTI achieved a four-star rating from Green NCAP after its emissons tests in 2019, but it must be noted that this test, while still valid, was conducted during Green NCAP’s pilot phase, and since then testing has become more rigorous, also now assessing cars for their greenhouse gas pollution.
As of June 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen Up range to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Up, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Up GTI has received
2020
- The Sun Motor Awards – Best Value Car
2019
- The Sunday Times Motor Awards – Best Value Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Up GTI, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Ford Fiesta ST | Hyundai i20 N | Mini Hatch John Cooper Works | Renault Megane RS | Suzuki Swift Sport | Toyota GR Yaris | Volkswagen Polo GTI
Buy a new or used Volkswagen Up GTI
If you’re looking to buy a Volkswagen Up GTI, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Buy a car online from your sofa. We’ll deliver it. Find out more
Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more
The UK’s automotive search engine. All the cars in one place. Find out more
Finding your next car is easy at Motorpoint. Find out more
Lease a new Volkswagen Up GTI
If you’re looking to lease a new Volkswagen Up GTI, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Hippo Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Moneyshake. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Ready2Lease. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more
Car subscriptions
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
Find out more