Breakdown

Styling

While it's true that the production Up (VW spelling: up!) isn't as left field at the 2007 concept that spawned it - which had a rear engine, rear-wheel drive layout - the visuals have stayed pleasingly close. The overall shape certainly doesn't break boundaries, but the 'smiling mouth' grille is characteristic, and the tailgate - based on a flat panel TV, we're told, is unique too. Well, not including a couple of Volvos, arguably.

Handling

A recurring theme in the Up is how much of a condensed Volkswagen it is - where 'Volkswagen' is a byword for 'quality'? That's no more apparent than in the way it moves. Striking a fine balance between city car verve and bigger car comfort, the Up is both fun to drive and refined. The steering is light and sharp enough to make it a nervous parker's best buddy, but on the go it doesn't feel floaty. Body control and visibility are both good, meaning this is a car th

Comfort

Some harshness comes through the suspension over the very worst holes in the road, but generally the Up has about as good a ride setup as you could wish for in a small car. There's a suppleness and lightness of touch about the way the Up goes over the roads, from the precision of the gear change, to the way the car remains quiet and unruffled both in town and on the motorway. We'd like the three-cylinder engines to have a more characteristic sound, but that's the price you pay for re

Quality + Reliability

Expect Polo-grade soft plastics and you'll be disappointed, but VW has hidden the hard stuff to good effect by drawing the eye to higher quality fixtures dotted about the cabin - like the gloss black control panel and detachable 'maps + more' infotainment and nav screen. Cost-cutting is more apparent in basic 'Take Up' models, but the higher you go, the more 'VW' it all becomes.

Performance

Two engines sit beneath the Up's tiny bonnet, both three-cylinder petrol units, one with 59bhp and the other 74bhp. There's not a great deal between the pair to be honest, because both need wrung out to get much out of them. As we said earlier, we'd prefer more of the growly character that usually enhances the three-pot experience, but VW, probably wisely, has opted to hit the mute button. They're both smoother than average, so we'd settle for the lesser of the two.

Roominess

Within a car considerably shorter than a MINI, VW has managed to find rear space for two real adult people and a proper boot - neither of which the MINI has. The rear bench folds down to provide a 951-litre loading space, which is almost silly in a car this size, while the regular boot is over one third bigger than the MINI's. This truly is a packaging achievement.

Running Costs

There's no point in a diesel engine in a car this size, but particularly not when every Up boasts 60mpg-plus fuel economy. There are, in fact, two versions of the 59bhp car, with the Bluemotion one adding start/stop to the mix for a 68.9mpg average economy rating and VED-busting 96g/km. In addition, VW is planning an all-encompassing monthly ownership cost that should be extremely attractive; the scheme is already set up in Germany and costs less than £100 per month.

Value for money

Although the Up doesn't have the outright feel of quality as a MINI or Audi A1 does, it's also priced nowhere near them - certainly at the bottom end of the range. Three trim levels - Take Up, Move Up and High Up - comprise the range, with prices from £7,995 to £11,180 (excluding options). The base car is devoid of kit, so the £9,000 Move Up is the one to have. It gets such luxuries as remote central locking, electric windows, split-folding seats and air conditioning.

Stereo / Sat nav

The Up's main (only) cabin innovation is the 'maps + more' removable sat nav, although it's not far removed from the detachable unit SEAT's been offering in the Ibiza for a couple of years now. Still, the touchscreen infotainment and navigation system looks neat and is security-friendly. The nav can be a little slow on the uptake at times - but, assuming VW prices it sensibly, it will be an essential Up addition. (It's standard with the High Up.)