Is the Volkswagen up! good for new drivers?
Cute, solidly built and fashionable too — the Volkswagen up! is one of our favourite entry-level cars. It's also one of our safest starter-cars in South Africa, and there are loads of pre-loved up! models available on AutoTrader. Here's why we think the up! is one of the most sensible options for a first car.
1. It may be small, but it's a solidly-built German car that's also priced right
When your budget is under a R100k, the up! is certainly one of your better options. The Germans take build quality quite seriously, and although the up! was the most affordable car in the VW line-up, it doesn't mean that it feels cheap. When the up! launched, we were impressed with its good road-holding capabilities, and it's practical design, which is also rather cool-looking, by the way — so much so that it makes our list of the Top 5 coolest used cars for students.
There are also many low-mileage Volkswagen up! models on AutoTrader at very affordable prices. The least expensive model on site is from 2015 with just under 85 000 km on the clock, and it will set you back R89 995.
2. It's safe
With ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control and hill-start assist, your parents will be pleased to know that you're not driving a death trap on wheels. Two to four airbags are standard while ISOFIX child seat anchorage points can be found on the outer rear seats. We applaud VWSA for equipping SA-spec cars with a good amount of life-saving equipment. Also read Top 3 Things you Need to Know about the Volkswagen Up! here.
3. You'll save on fuel
The 1.0-litre engine is a light sipper and as long as you don't drive the up! too hard and too fast, you'll easily attain figures around the 5-6 litres per 100 km mark. Remember that a heavy load will also influence your usage negatively, so don't drive around with heavy objects in your car unless you need to.
Bear in mind that it's been discontinued in SA, though...
VW stopped bringing in the Bratislava-built up! recently, but you should still be able to find parts for many years to come. We suggest investing in a good mechanical warranty and service plan also, so you're not left out of pocket if something should go wrong.
Alternatives to the VW up?
We love the Toyota Aygo, because it has the same safety equipment as the up! Also consider the Kia Picanto, Peugeot 108, Hyundai Grand i10, and Ford Figo.
