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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Model reviewed:
“A power pup to make you sit up and beg.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

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

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

Model reviewed:
“Revives original VW GTI spirit.”
Read review