VW up! now a sensible option with 5-doors

Volkswagen has refreshed the up! range for 2016, just as Smart launches its new competitor into the South African market. A year after the local launch, Volkswagen has answered our prayers with the availability of a 5-door model and two new versions called cross up! and colour up!

Wise to the fact that people are moving towards the city and commuting shorter distances, the VW up! is still powered by the anodyne  1.0-litre three cylinder engine which puts out 55kW through a busy 5-speed manual gearbox. It’s not fast, especially up at Reef, but does feel nippier than the Smart’s similar engine layout.

A new cross up! earns its name from the 16-inch wheels and extra ride height. Silver wing mirrors, roof rails and black protective trim give the car urban attitude while inside the cross up! receives a leather steering wheel, new seat fabric and interior scuff plates.

The most expensive model is the new colour up! fitted with 17-inch alloys, painted mirrors, dark tinted windows and side decals. Touches of chrome freshen up the cabin while the airvents are painted in a funky hue. The VW colour up! reaches dealerships in either white or metallic silver.

Bluetooth and SD card functionality is offered through the 5-inch colour touchscreen which clips into a bracket positioned above the centre console. Although not a cohesive design, these portable systems are becoming prevalent in small cars.

Pricing of the VW up! does undercut the new Smart forfour but the Smart does include some innovative features not offered here.

1.0 MPI Take up! 5-door (55kW)                                                   R156 300

1.0 MPI Move up! 5-door (55kW)                                                 R163 400

1.0 MPI Cross up! 5-door (55kW)                                                  R181 400

1.0 MPI Colour up! 5-door (55kW)                                                R185 000