Overall rating:

The reason the High up! only gets three stars? Simple: the basic version of the up! (and indeed its Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii brothers) is equally as good. In fact, in terms of redefining the genre these cheaper models arguably offer the best option. Our advice: stick with the £7,995 Take up! and save yourself some well-earned cash instead.

Key Facts

Model tested: Volkswagen High up!
Pricing: £10,390 (£11,000 as tested)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol
Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: Kia Picanto, SEAT Mii, Skoda Citigo
CO₂ emissions: 108g/km
Combined economy: 60.1mpg
Top speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 13.2 seconds
Power: 75hp at 6,200rpm
Torque: 95Nm at 3,000rpm

Inside & Out:

It's probably here that you actually experience the extra outlay for the up!, and indeed the High up! in particular. Compared to its Skoda and SEAT cousins, the Volkswagen boasts a much sexier look, the funky front bumper with enlarged Volkswagen roundel and black glass tailgate ensuring a more modern style.

The interior also benefits, the painted fascia (not available in the Skoda or SEAT versions) lifting the interior ambience higher than a supermini has any right to. However, despite such luxuries as heated seats, it shares the same layout, plastic quality and switchgear as cheaper versions.

Ride & Handling:

It's a small car the up! (it measures only 3,540mm long) and as you'd expect it handles like one - reactions are quick and it's nimble. Sure there's some roll, its relative height and narrow track ensuring this, but on the whole it goes where you point it when you point it.

No surprises then. Well, until you get it on the motorway or a flowing A-road. For despite the rather short wheelbase the up! possesses a ride quality that puts many of Volkswagen's (and rivals') larger cars to shame. Bumps and lumps are dealt with smoothly and with minimum of fuss, and refinement instantly becomes this car's USP.

Thankfully the rest of the package is equally as convincing and if we had to criticise anything it would be the light steering and grabby brakes so typical of the Wolfsburg firm's models. The large windows ensure a decent view out and the excellent driving position means all should be able to get comfortable with ease.

Engine & Transmission:

Characterful - this three-cylinder engine sounds great, especially when exploring the upper reaches of its rev-range (something you have to do to extract any form of meaningful forward momentum). Of course sometimes you'd rather settle back at a reasonable cruising speed and relax, which is another of this car's trump cards. At the legal limit the three-cylinder warble disappears and along with the supple suspension the lack of noise makes it easy to forget you're only in a city car. The gearbox is pleasant enough too, light of shift and acceptably smooth across the gate. However, we can't help thinking the 60hp model feels almost as lively and offers as much for a lot less money.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

In isolation the up! seems like a decent deal. For only £10,390 we have a city car with air conditioning, alloy wheels, satnav and Bluetooth connectivity. Our test car also featured cruise control, parking sensors and a driver's assistance pack (with city emergency braking) for £610 more. It's cheap to run as well, with annual road tax only £30 and combined fuel economy of over 60mpg. But, and it's a big but, the cheaper models do it better. The 60hp engine feels equally lively, the interior equally as good quality and the whole experience possibly even more pleasing.