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Volkswagen Up GTI

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Expert Rating

Volkswagen Up GTI

(2019 - present)

    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


    Media reviews


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

    Auto Express

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    Autocar

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    Business Car

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    Car Keys

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    Carbuyer

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    Carwow

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    Daily Mail

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    Eurekar

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    Evo

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    Fleetworld

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sun

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    The Sunday Times

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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    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 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.

    Eco rating


    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

    Clean Air Index: 9.2 / 10
    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.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    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 SportToyota GR Yaris | Volkswagen Polo GTI

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    The Volkswagen Up GTI is a fun bite-sized hot hatch which has recieved acclaim as a value-for-money package, but no infotainment is included.Volkswagen Up GTI