Top 6 accessories for your used Volkswagen up!
For our Top 6 accessories for the VW up! we have gone the VW-approved route and avoided aftermarket add-ons. We’ve also taken the conservative tack, and stuck to accessories with a practical focus, rather than opting for any serious dress-up items.
Volkswagen’s up! was launched over 5 years ago and yet it still turns heads, despite having been a very strong seller for Volkswagen since its introduction in early 2015. Initially it was available only as a 3-door model, but a year after launch a 5-door model was added, while the range was refreshed with exterior and interior upgrades in late 2016.
The up! is available in four models but all of them use the feisty little 999 cc triple-cylinder motor that produces 55 kW despite being a non-turbo unit. The up! is an upmarket car for the entry-level segment of the South African new car arena, and for this reason we didn’t want to mess with its strong styling cues in terms of visual add-ons.
The accessories we chose for the car are all available through Volkswagen dealerships. A benefit of fitting factory-approved accessories is that they don’t affect a new car’s warranty, provided they are installed (if necessary) by a VW dealer.
Our Top 6 Volkswagen up! accessories
1. up! floor mats
These items are a necessity if you are going to preserve the good looks of your up! The beauty of buying these VW-approved items is that they are tailored specifically for the up! and they are made of really rugged heavy duty plastic., They are located by the stud mounts in the floor of the car to keep them secure. They also feature a really interesting design which adds to the classiness of the up!
2. Bright-metal door-sill protector
This is a classy piece of equipment that protects the door sills from being scuffed. These sill protectors also come with the “up!” logo etched into the metal.
3. Boot inlay:
This custom-designed tray features raised sides which stop loose items from rattling around in the boot. The floor section of the boot inlay also has a raised-diamond-block pattern which also helps prevent loose items from moving too freely in the boot inlay. Not only will it help you load shopping packets with peace of mind, but it will also protect the boot carpet from unsightly stains.
4. Loading lip protectors
Volkswagen offers two variants of loading lip protectors, to protect the car’s bodywork on the loading lip that is uncovered when the hatchback door is raised. Loading heavy suitcases and other items can leave unsightly scratches in this area, and this is where the protectors come in. They are available in a clear stick-on heavy-duty vinyl, or (our choice) in the form of a bright-metal strip.
5. Mud flap pack
Volkswagen offers a pack of very discreet mud flaps, made of rugged plastic and finished in matt black. They will need to be fixed to the bodywork by your dealer if your car is still under warranty. They are available for the front or rear only, but we recommend you fit the whole set, as they will protect your car’s paintwork very effectively.
6. Roof box
The up! has many strong points, but a huge boot is not one of them. To remedy this design compromise (after all the up! is a city car designed primarily for parking in tight places) VW offers its rugged load box with dimensions catering specifically for the up! Bear in mind you’ll also have to order the VW-specific roof rack to accommodate the load box.
Recommended next:
Best used cars for R100 000 or less: Hatchbacks
Top 3 Volkswagen up! trims head to head: here’s our winner.
Replacing wiper blades on a Volkswagen up!