The Volkswagen Up! (generation I, phase 1) marked Volkswagen's successful return to the mini-city car segment (segment A) after the lukewarm reception of the Fox. Developed as part of the NSF (New Small Family) project alongside the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, it stands out for its rational design, excellent interior space for its size (3.54 m), and above-average build quality for the category. Mechanically very simple, it relies mainly on the robust EA211 3-cylinder naturally aspirated engine (1.0 MPI). It is an extremely reliable car, economical to use, but its driving pleasure can be spoiled by the ASG automated manual gearbox (to be avoided). Overall generation rating: Excellent.
The Volkswagen Up! (2011-2016) is one of the most recommendable used city cars on the market. Its mechanical simplicity makes it an extremely reliable and inexpensive model to maintain. The ideal choice is a 1.0 MPI 60 or 75 hp manual gearbox version, preferably produced after 2013 to avoid clutch issues of the early model years. The ASG automated manual gearbox must be avoided at all costs, as its catastrophic driving experience is accompanied by questionable reliability. The e-Up! version is an excellent choice for strictly urban use, provided you accept its very limited range.