Volkswagen e-up! overview

It's unusual in the car world that a vehicle becomes more relevant towards the end of its life, but that's certainly the case for the Volkswagen e-up! as demand for good-value electric cars soars. Its low price, running costs and town-friendly size would have buyers queuing up, but there's even more to it than all that as it turns out to be one of the most characterful and fun-to-drive EVs on the road. And it's shot through with quality befitting the VW badge on the bonnet. Go buy one while you can.

[Bo-electric]

2 years and soon 80 000 km with my e-up 2020 here in Sweden. Mostly on open roads. You don't get any sense of it being a small car. It feels rock steady regardless of the speed. And yes the quality is there all the way.

[beamlt]

Most people with electric SUVs really just need this

[GreenStripShow]

How do I change the units from miles to kilometres I’m hoping you know!? Can’t find it on Google anywhere !

[cryptomoon]

2004 vw up with 18 kwh battery . 105.000 km driven still mixing with d and b mode can manage around 130- 140 km . Record was 8kwh/100km summer Norway roads . In average its 10-12 kWh summer and 16-18 winter.

[gib]

Not sure I'd agree that it is affordable at €27.5K in RoI. It's the perfect city car so such a pity about the price of it. Subject to correction but I believe it's circa €15/€16k in other European jurisdictions.

[uglybeard]

I have ID4 and it feels like riding a cow

[toyotaprius]

It has to be said, Ireland only gets the e-UP! because it's right hand drive, it doesn't cost any more than the LHD on the continent

But Ireland doesn't get the more basic trim electric Skoda and SEAT equivalents that are considerably cheaper and more attractive than the VW and other EVs

That's unacceptable. Which is a sham because its a Goldilocks EV with good practicality, efficiency and range; an honest good, light car, an A segment car too which are now too rare.

No reason to call it old an out of date. Analogue dashboard is a breath of fresh air on the market.

They shouldn't discontinue the e-UP but expand on it (lik an extra mini-estate or GTE) it's an alternative away from the ID.3 an .4 which is in an overcrowded market - and they're having an oversupply problem.

[cicoman]

I love it when reviewers say yes the battery is small but that means it charges much faster than a bigger one. It’s like saying yes the tank is only small but that’s why it costs you less to refill it at the pump 🫣