VW up! GTI - The smallest GTI tested

With the up! GTI, Volkswagen rekindles the spirit of shopping rockets past. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.
Ten Second Review
Volkswagen's up! GTI takes pretty much all of the hot hatch purity that marks out the Wolfsburg brand's larger Polo and Golf GTI models and distills it into something smaller and more affordable. There's a perky 115PS three cylinder 1.0-litre TSI turbo engine, agile handling, light weight and plenty of scope for personalisation. Sounds promising.
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[@markheywood8236]

In a league of its own. Fantastic little car.

[@miken4391]

Thank you for a good proper review. It was very informative, detailed, and flowed very well. I really enjoyed the end summary separating the standard kit from the options which gives the consumer, like myself, an idea of cost; (what you need and what you can live without comfortably). Please keep up the good work.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you Mike, we aim to share as much in depth content as possible

[@Boz1211111]

Really the best reviews i have seen. Just wonder how long does it take to prepare script for one review.. It sound so well planned out is impressive. thanks

[@peterlewis3540]

Now thats what I call a comprehensive review. I was smitten with the looks and driving manners, of this great little car, already owning a very enjoyable Move Up, but this great review only confirmed my enjoyment of owning a 3dr Pure White Up Gti. No car costing this amount of money, comes anywhere close to the Up Gti. A great little car, and an equally great review.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks Peter 👍 great to see feedback like this. We really enjoyed the Up Gti, glad you are too 👌

[@MB-zz5re]

"What can you do to make this UP YOURS?" Legend! 💀💀

[@roberto28briggs]

A very detailed and brilliant review. I can’t wait to test one.

[@jamandtoast4tea]

A Wonderful production, the ultimate in depth review. Thank you!

[@joja2174]

this man not only looks like your dad but gave you a quick history lesson at the beginning, nice touch!

[@dnt1971]

I enjoyed your review, thank you. I have the High UP Tsi 90 bhp and would just like to point out that the phone holder/cradle will take my Galaxy Note 9 comfortably which is a 6.4 inch screen. Also mine came with a 5 speed so maybe that gearbox is from a Polo?

[@amaj7313]

😁😁😁You slipped in a subtle Up Yours!. Nicely done👍👍

[@mattluxton8802]

Absolutely love these! Still a rare sight on UK roads. The one in this video is the exact spec and colour combo I'd go for too. Love the Tungsten with the black stripes. Very reminiscent of the Mk1 golf. Great video review too!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Who doesn't have a bit of a soft spot for the VW up! Thanks, we're glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@alanbenham4139]

Great review. Thank you.

[@Smartsparky]

This review was very informative and well done. Cheers mate. Subbed.

[@davidbushell960]

Yes, and wrong, bespoke six speed box, only found in the Gti, and the sound comes up the A pillars via actuators!. I know I own one!.

[@jamandtoast4tea]

Love these reviews, so comprehensive ✔️

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

That's great to hear, Craig 👍

[@user-lh8ql5zr5e]

👍 UP for the great reviewer! 👍 UP for the great UP GTI!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

👍 UP for the great comment

[@Ambienfinity]

Great review. Arguably more of a true GTI than the current (rather bloated) Golf. I DO remember the original Golf GTI, and this is closer to it than the car that now bears its name.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for the feedback Nodge X, you are right!

[@johngraydon506]

Nodge X sorry you don’t know what your talking about’ golf Mk7 inward Are a keep forward

[@clipstone]

This guy is incredible. The best car reviewer on The Net.

[@sbc7717]

Excellent and thorough review.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@alexisamtosta]

The thing I love in these small cars is the amount of room for tall drivers. Space behind a tall driver? To be fair, almost no cars on earth has barely space for a average size passenger behind the driver. One of the small cars I drove and also owned with LOADS of space all over and that every single person that got inside that car would comment with a huge surprise is the Fiat Uno mk1 3 door.

[@deanclark3806]

Had use of the Up gti over an extended period and liked it so much I’ve bought one. Ride perfectly fine, correct tyre pressures on delivery p/collection as they are 45psi plus for transportation Amazing value as well... it’s a city car +++ it’s not a hot hatch, but is definitely a warm one that engages you, brilliant fun.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi Dean, great to hear feedback from someone who has had experience with the car. We really enjoyed it too, thanks for the comment.

[@royc8587]

The Depreciation or lack of should be good, Lots of people have had cars on factory order and some since February and still do not have them. Mine was placed in June and have only just been given a build date subject to change. Well researched,Not sure if you can still get the extended warranty, I tried a few months ago buying as a new car but told it had been discontinued

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

I do remember the original gti. First time i noticed one i was thrashing my parents passat across the country, overtaking everything , until this little red golf eased past me on a long straight. I remember thinking, huh? The passat was only a 1.6 auto but they were much lighter then and handled well. It was a nice car to drive and very nippy off the mark. Later i got a 1.8 campaign edition, with the pirelli wheels. The engine was very smooth and it was very punchy, being lightweight and much smaller than todays golfs. The brakes were not up to it though. There was a common issue where the clutch cable came through the bulkhead, causing a lot of broken cables and it ate tyres very quickly. We got a mk 2 16v gti after that, which was a cracking car all round. Def one of the best of the breed. Im rambling on a bit, to noone in particular. But i think the up would be a fun little car. Ive got a seat ibiza with that engine and its really good.

[@anon5500]

The engine sound doesn’t come from the speakers at all, it uses a system under the bulkhead and pipes it up the a posts (can be disconnected of it gets on your nerves!)

[@marquesdavidm]

Hi! I have liked your video, but you forgot to compare it (when you mentioned the abarth and the smart) with the opel/vauxhall adam 1.0t with 115hp.

[@pauldavies2533]

excellent video,especially the need to raise the light beams,i initally thought that i had a sight problemm with night driving.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

That's great, glad you found the video helpful Paul 😀

[@mrmarrow8918]

Fantastic review!!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks Mr M 👌

[@mariapires7170]

Fantastic little car! Superb video! True "drive school"for rookies! Stay safe!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you Maria, Stay Safe too!

[@misfit2022]

Never had a VW GTi. I nearly did but plumped for the Seat Cupra Sport GTi instead but this looks nice and a similar size to my current now very old supermini class of car proving modern cars are larger than their previous incarnations with the current supermini range looking more like the old family cars and many now over 4,000 mm in length.

[@peterlewis3540]

Blimey What a magnificent review.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thankd for the feedback Peter Lewis 👍

[@joeturner1920]

Is the 4 longer in length than the 2 door?

[@nolackin3801]

How do you fold the side mirrors?

[@goonerinSP]

The best review of this I've seen

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you, we love seeing comments like these 👍 Make sure to subscribe for the latest vehicle reviews: bit.ly/319ZKoT​

[@llMcSH4DYll]

Hope yo get one in white in a few days time. Can't wait.

[@PG-yc9lz]

Amazing review. This car is really intersten

[@davidhayes4814]

Factor in that the mark 1 Golf GTI was very spartan and very expensive (£30K in today’s money) then is looks very impressive. I know that Dacia Sanderos are even better value for money, as are house bricks but this is something really nice. Looking at 1970s and 80s Autocar magazines found in my father-in-law’s that I am clearing out, I have studied all the prices of cars, then. The mark 1 GTI cost the same as the Datsun 240/260Z. Mind you, so did the MGB GT which was, by then, dismal.

[@Sweepdog700]

Haha ‘up yours!’ At 19:21. Good review though

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

🤣 haha, fantastic spot there rob

[@andrzejjasinski8634]

hehe, I was looking in comments if anyone else noticed, couldn't help smiling until the end of the review :D

[@quame81]

Great review

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

thanks for the feedback 👍

[@eddiejones.redvees]

I can remember the mk1 golf also the is one that now and again follows being my in my newly acquired 2015 diesel Astra which was swooped for my old 2008 vw polo tdi which run like a tractor compared to my Astra which is doing probably the same mpg for a lot smoother and big car but will it last a long a the mk1 golf

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for watching, Eddie. Are you looking for a new car?

[@CR4ZYHOR5E]

Have a look at long range test review to get an accurate guide on likely MPG. I’ve had mine since Feb and done 7000miles, average MPG is 60.7. I do drive carefully but still get over 50 MPG with more spirited driving.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for the feedback 👍 great to hear back from an owner

[@CR4ZYHOR5E]

They’re great little cars, as your review reflects. Keep up the great work (your reviews are the most comprehensive on the net)

[@peterlewis3540]

I've squeezed an impressive 77.4mpg from my four month old White Up Gti. It was achieved through very careful driving, so is not a real realistic representation of everyday driving, but I never fail to get less than 60mpg from my lovely little car

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

@@peterlewis3540 Great to hear back from owners and hear what great figures you can achieve 👍 Nice driving 👌

[@hassana22]

Good review

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks rzgar, love your feedback :)

[@geniusme2010]

Thanks for the review much appreciated and have decided to trade my ford kuga st line for one.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Fab news Dave! Enjoy your new up! GTI and let us know how you get on 👍

[@iREVIEWitALL4U]

I have the two go get with edc and I don’t think it’s cheaper loking then this inside. After my brain stroke I’m unable to drive stick as my left side of the body was hit and can’t deal with the clutch. So had to get the auto this twinge gt edc. Also twingo is 5 door not 3 door For Chanel of this size big mistake .... 👁

[@usmanrajaofficial4358]

Where are you located

[@steve37ist]

Some people need parking sensors and or parking cameras if ur disabled like me and or short like me aswell

[@Wilko101]

I think VW did everything right with this. Nice looking, well built, desirable etc etc. I just think the one thing that would have made it perfect is just a tad more power. If Ford can make 1.0 ecoboost engines with 140bhp why couldn't have this had say at least 130bhp wearing the GTI badge?! I think in a couple of years when more tuning products are out there for this car then a simple remap and some good quality coilovers could turn this into a probably sorted baby hot hatch.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi Andy, we would love to see one break the 0-60 in under 8 seconds.

[@megasoctopuslegionofcake6248]

Vw have said they could get more but you lost the ease of driving it. JbS plus others are getting 145ish bhp with a map so...

[@georgeeveritt3314]

17 inch wheels on a fast car used on British potholed roads must be less safe than 16 inch

[@meerrapo]

5:03 a lost wheel on the road

[@oddities-whatnot]

Top speed of 122 mph is irrelevant. Its a good car, we have speed limits. Emphasis needs to get away from cars 0-60 times and top speeds when neither should matter on public roads. Sad fact is too many drivers these days are used to modern cars with turbo diesels and petrols throughout the range from most car makers. They are expecting instant pull in any gear to accelerate quickly which makes drivers more aggressive behind the wheel, evident for all to see if you do a lot of miles every day. Drivers are so used to the turbo engines (many small 1 litre units have them) that anything without seems slow and boring by comparison which of course they are not, its the attitudes that have changed. Far too many treat the road like a racetrack, unable to show any level of self control or discipline. Thirty or forty years ago we did not have this problem. There were of course bad drivers, but most cars were simply not driven in the same way as today because of the way they were marketed. People weren’t in such a rush and nobody was bothered about the badge on the front, the lack of arrogance and the competition on the roads between drivers simply wasn’t there.

[@kristianspencer1978]

Go to Basingstoke, all the bad drivers live there.

[@patriknestic8973]

14:03 no opportunity to take three people in the back... I drove 6 people ( me driving plus 5 people) in mine😂😂 would not recommend tho

[@azharrahza5392]

that’s a MyVi/Sirion/Passo 🤔🧐😶

[@chanwtv]

OSV=?

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

OSV = One Stop Vehicle 👍

[@DJCrissCross89]

👍

[@polarweis]

a little tuning is needed but nice cat

[@hamsterclamper]

Sorry to say that I am selling my Up GTI after just 3 months of ownership. Size ok, power ok, but OMG the suspension is $hit! Rock hard, cheap-feeling dampers combined with low-profile tyres and a tiny wheelbase make for the least relaxing drive I have ever experienced. Pity, because the rest of the car is ok.

[@torquesteer2657]

So what would you buy instead - a Fiesta / Polo?

[@RobertCraven70]

Why not change tires?

[@coolsteve1342]

@@RobertCraven70 thats what I thought, the gti tires are too big for this car.

[@Boz1211111]

i like sharp suspension, hope il get a chance to drive it, thanks for your feedback

[@GiBMan70]

Power really isn't ok. If you come from an up tsi you'll hardly noticeable the difference. This car must be being purchased by poors who can't think of a better way to spend the little money they have. This isn't the solution, poors.

[@stevehastings6802]

The skoda looks better imo.. But sadly the montecarlo is still only mpi. They need a vrs version of the citigo.

[@carlkwasnjuk9518]

I REALLY wish Volkswagen would bring the UP to the USA.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

We have our fingers crossed for you Carl!

[@megasoctopuslegionofcake6248]

The Up doesn't pump sound through the speakers....

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for the comment, we have realised sound is reverberated via the windscreen pillars. Thanks for noticing this.

[@livingthroughtv]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply It's sort of both, actually. It's reverberating through the windscreen, but via a speaker hidden just below it. Either way, it sounds daft: but in a way that can't help but put a smile on your face. I ordered one right away.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

@@livingthroughtv It's a great car. Just out of interest... did you order via OSV? enjoy the new car 👍

[@livingthroughtv]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply I didn't, actually - just walked into a dealership. Thanks though!

[@NB_NB_NB]

I'm thinking the Kia Picanto 1.0 turbo in GT line S spec as it has all toys that VW list as options plus more, is cheaper, much longer warranty, steering wheel adjusts for reach and you can see the clocks!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi, if you're still interested in getting a Kia Picanto and would like to talk through options, feel free to call us on 01903 538835 📞

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

i like this car, i'd take it

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for the comment Daniel, we are big fans of it too 👍

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply it's probably one of the best sportcars for the street, much more hp and the car is unusuable.

[@steveo8533]

It’s a good car but it could have been great. It’s been let down by cost cutting to be a true successor to the GTI it should have had better seats, better suspension, keyless start and the phone holder is not only a chore but also cheap.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for your comment 👍 Are you looking for a new car at the moment?

[@nitinpingulkar3547]

Please launch in india

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

We hope it makes it's way over there, Nitin!

[@pinkfloyd8361]

Great review but you talk way too fast mate!

[@mc1996]

Oversized wheels, two more door...

[@pinkfloyd8361]

If you calmed down a bit I would gladly listen to you for hours but, as it is, you are coming across like Zebedee on speed ;) way too fast mate!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Sorry to hear that! This is one of our older reviews - we've definitely improved our presentation since then 👍

[@charlieforrester8560]

Can you remove the phone thing

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hey Charlie, which part of the video are you referring to?

[@drnh4444]

You don't remember the Golf Mk1 Gti? If you don't remember that car you absolutely should not be producing car reviews. That was one of the most iconic cars ever made.

[@thomashumber9762]

14k....its too much... and so much I dislike. Best to buy a real mk1 gti -or a mk2 gti. Seats lack side support...dash is naff with that red fade - yuk ! it needs wheel arch extensions and to sit wider...also that hi fi should be retro- a cd/radio...it gets on my tits to download all the music I already own on CD....

[@davidbushell7881]

If your going to revue a car!. At least get your facts right!, the standard car has a 5 speed box!!!!, not a 6!. 🤔

[@Boz1211111]

You sure? isnt that standard up but not GTI you are talking about?

[@ambiguousbro]

If you're going to criticize, spell review correctly...

[@stevena9305]

At 10.04 the close up of the shift knob shows six gears and so does the Up GTi brochure and website.

[@GiBMan70]

went for a test drive, it's slow as heck. To call it a gti is absolutely shameful, regardless of the price. If you want to buy it and pretend it's a gti then more fool you.

[@anon5500]

Guess you’ve never driven a mk1 golf gti then, look at the figures, almost identical!🤷‍♂️😂 I own both and some other cars including a hot hatch that destroys M3’s as it’s modified, and I get most fun out of the ones with less power as actually useable daily, my 911 breaks the national speed limit in second gear! Cars aren’t just about power or numbers it’s what you can actually use on good roads and the feedback they give you, the only place you can use most overly fast cars are the autobahn, and I found not even there as some dickhead will still pull out doing nearly 100mph less than you are! Don’t believe everything you read about autobahn driving much like more power makes a car better, never had never will!

[@chirpywiggins5796]

Not slow for it's size and you can use all the power when pushing on. Makes it more fun on b roads than the majority of other more powerful cars