VW Up GTI: Rebirth Of The Hot Hatch? - Carfection 

I’d say this wasn’t the rebirth of the hot hatch, but the birth of the hot city car. I’ve driven it, I loved it and I’ve ordered it.

Henry you are such a fantastic reviewer. Keep up the great work.

Here for the cinematography!

I want one. I really ,truly, deeply miss genuinely small and light hot hatches, such great joy to be had with them.

First class review once again. I own an UP Gti, and everything you say about the UP Gti is true, just a lovely little warm hot hatch. A total steal for the money.

After nearly two years of ownership of my Pure White Gti, i still think its the best fun for your money. Ever so cheap to run and insure, and the fun factor is still there, its more than a pleasure to own this great little runabout.

0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds is mighty impressive for a car of that class. I have the Skoda Citigo Monte Carlo, which looks very similar, and that does 0-60 in 14.4 seconds 😂

I continue to appreciate your enthusiasm, especially considering that many may not understand what the cars can offer.

I have one of these and I know this review is old: but it really is a great little car. It's slow enough that you use every bit of performance on the road. I actually have had it 'cock its leg' on 3 wheels but it never felt out of control. It's just a fabulous thing. The criticism is that at motorway speeds it isn't great. But if you are mostly pottering around near you the instead of taking the motorway: take a good A or B road instead and enjoy it. 100% brilliant fun car

Liked the tilt-shift photography towards the end.

I’m glad you mentioned the Panda 100 hp very underrated car my mates got a white one

Such stylish reviews with amazing camera work

Henry is a genius. No yelling. No screaming but gets the message across in the most passionate, entertaining and informative way. Best reporter in the world.

Volkswagen Japan brought 600 up GTI s here. Sold out in a matter of few days. Nuff said.

Thank you Henry. 12 years ago I owned a Panda 100hp, loved and hated it in equal measure, practicality and uniqueness somehow unmatched by an Abarth, moments of brilliance spoiled by that unyielding ride. Fast forward to the present day (a few months ago), another car owning crossroads, Panda 100hp or up! GTi, I could have revisited the Panda fixed the suspension with all the little tweaks and improvements possible now… ultimately I felt I’d just end up with a 12 year old Panda and the thought of being followed around by the spectre of ‘what’s going to break next’ all the time so bought it’s modern dynamic more comfortable equivalent the up! GTi. A lot less money in my pocket but a much more satisfied smile on my face… now, where’s that road in your vid?

Took delivery of my 3dr Pure White on March 10th, and just love everything about it. I've owned a Move Up for nearly a year, and am impressed with that cars handling and driving manners. With only 59 Hp to play with, it's shockingly underpowered, so in steps my Gti, which only improves on the whole VW Up package. It's just a shame VW are now concentrating on the all electric market for their Up range. All Up models using the lovely 3 cylinder TSi engines, have been dropped from the range, and this includes the Gti. Will the Gti return to the Uk market in the future, we will have to wait and see, but it might be a long wait.

Some people don't have a clue what a good small hot hatch is all about. My Lupo GTI is and probably always will be my favourite car I've owned (cost me 13k new in 2002) I could happily go back to a Up GTI today.... people need to get the horse power and top speed numbers game out of their heads and start to enjoy driving for what it really is.

3:16 Beware Low-Flying Bullets

Devils elbow Henry? Good little road. I got airbourne along there once on a gsxr. :)

Great review Henry! Where was that road it was taken last? Might have to have a visit there! 😂

Thank you for sharing. I love these nifty little car. Greetings from Brazil

Great review. Off to try one myself next week. Had a mk1 Golf GTI in 83. Looking forward to it.

I used to drive these for work. They are great little cars. Probably my favourite car out at the moment.

I love 3-pots. Every time I drive one it brings a big grin to my face as I wring it out...

This is a very good review of a high calibre. While the up will never be my hot hatch, still very small and practical.

Unlike some of the others, im here for everything!

Where is that road, it looks amazing

Awesome video quality and editing.. drove the UP a few days ago and it was real fun on a twisty country road, BUT.. not so much on the motorway, it felt unstable and that 3 cylinder engine quite quickly ran out of breath and I found myself frustrated after doing around 70kms on the motorway and had to take the long route back on the country road just to get that frustration out of my system. If I was in the market for a small hot hatch I would go for the new Polo GTI, but of course that comes with a completely different price tag.

“You can drive it up your arm” 😆 Priceless. Love to see it up against an Abarth 500 or Cooper S.... In fact... love to see you guys do some “Historic” reviews of cars that have been out for a couple of years.... like those.

I wish we could get these in Australia, I learned to drive in an Up and I think they’re great little cars.

I’ve always had hot hatches and I waste so much money on fuel,insurance and tax and tbh most of the time it’s only me in the car, I’m seriously considering downsizing to this it looks more fun and silly. Stage 1 recaps can get 130-145bhp and thatd be perfect I think

This is my car I was so surprised when I saw the reg plate

Proof that you don’t need much more than a manual transmission, a chassis smaller than a box van and decent bit of road to enjoy the pleasure of driving! However, this car is glaring me down as someone who always buys used, despite its “cheap” price, the used market is literally flooded with absolute gems of driving machines for less than this costs new. Cute car though and a good ethos on affordable but not cheap. Hopefully it ropes some of those drivers terrified to buy anything used or sporty for fear of cost or reliability into a new world and helps create new enthusiasts in this little hobby of ours!

Henry is spot on yet again. It's cheap, well equipped and to most people good looking. It makes a good noise and has the right badging on it. And whilst there are more accomplished cars (albeit for more money) this car puts a smile on your face. I'm an owner of the pre facelift up and it's a hoot to drive no matter the speed because it is limited in it's capabilities. And in the city car class I don't think anything comes close to this if you're looking for a bit of fun on a b road.

Good video , well done VW ,right car at the right time. Order book over flowing, Currently VW have stopped taking orders until capacity balanced with the high demand. Very frustrated dealerships in UK. Really enjoyed the video.

Awesome little car. Must be a hoot down small twisty roads like the one at the end of the video. The standard UP! is already fun on roads like that, although lacking power.

The Type R still the hot hatch for me & everyday driver too

Great fun and great video both presentation and photography.

Fantastic review Henry! Thank you 👍🏽

I loved my little Up! But you cannot get them in Australia anymore!

A fantastic car I love the styling I’d love to have one parked next to my ND Mx5. Perfect daily as well

What a great car. Mark my words, this is a future classic

I see lots of references to tiny size but I have an old supermini class of car and the dimensions are nearly the same in length and they are exactly the same in width.

Very nice review, haven't seen Carfection before. I am tempted. I've got an Up! 59bhp so would like double the power next year. I live in Poland though I'm English. Price here is a bit cheaper than in the UK but only by 5 per cent. White colour is a free option. Nice car, not a bad effort by VW. I think that road is in Wales isn't it?

I wish these cars came to the US. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

You make me wanna drive all day even though ive never own a car lol great video bru keep up the good work

I WANT ONE! Why can’t I buy this in the US?

Beautiful video. Great car!

See also the UP TSI.... Love it!

The lack of discs on the rear is a bonus for me,it doesn't suffer for it I should know I own one. I have an Audi A2 TDI 90 weight of a roller skate and doesnt need disc Brakes either but has them along with sticky hand brake problems from lack of use and caliper problems as they get older. This UP! is supposed to be simple and cheap,its Both. Dont compare it with a fiesta as its the wrong segment and wrong price,residuals should hold up as they are Hard to obtain with any good factory spec,the waiting lists get shorter and with a new up! maybe on the horizon I foresee a instant classic car in the making due to the small numbers when they pull the pin on the Up! more so for three door types as VW suggest they wont be selling them in the future. The Tyres are lets face it awful,a better set would improve handling rather than these eco Jobs and I continue to wait for a 15" set to fit over the massive front Brake calipers on the front ( so much for bad Brakes from people who haven't driven or own one ) Thanks for the Review

We don’t get the Up or the Polo in the US sadly. Smallest car VW makes for the US is the golf. Wish they would give us at least one smaller size. I’m guessing the Up is about half the price of a Golf GTI?

I want VW to sell me some of that seat fabric!

Good on ya mate... for owning a Renault Clio 182 Cup... smart choice mr!

Great review Henry as usual. Top Gear your next stop?

The Up GTi sounds like a fun car. Physically small, lightweight cars with decent power are very uncommon these days, are there any decent rivals? How does the new Swift Sport compare?

I've owned one for 14 months and it's brilliant! Im going to replace it soon with..... Another up! Gti!

Well, it's been about 10 years, I guess it's time for tilt-shift lenses to be a thing again.

Base Škoda Citigo is 7000€. VW Up is same car madw in same factory. This car is more than double the price of Citigo. It has premium of a turbo, drifferent body kit, stiffer suspension and VW badge.

Great review. I’m booking my test drive

Great stuff!

I love, love, love small, light cars. But, being 6'5" 245 lbs., it can get pretty hard finding something that fits.

Fantastic Review-er!

It can now be tuned by MTM : )

how would this compare to a 1.0 turbo Vauxhall Adam?

I've got an up and its great fun. You can floor it and wring it out. You just can't do that with a lot of modern cars or you'd lose yer licence.

Absolutely great little car, real fun!

Great review👍🏽

I don't suppose there's a chance the US might get these?

Excellent Postman Pat reference :)

Was the review filmed in ireland?

I wish the VW UP would come to the USA. It would sell very well here. What is the MPG on the UP and the UP GTI?

This car in Greece cost 16000 euros more or less.You can buy Seat Ibiza 1.5 EVO 150 PS less than 16000........Is there any reason not to select Seat ibiza????????

It’s a shame they don’t sell the Up! in the U.S. because this would be a nice bargain hot hatch for the young enthusiast. However, I might personally go for a used Abarth 500 before this.

I can confirm it DOESN'T come with a touchscreen

Is this a good first car?

I'm about to try and convince my fiancée to let me buy one of these. Wish me luck!

The waiting list on these is horrendous.

This is the best new first car for an 18 year-old petrol head. Well done VW.

The only drawback. No dealer has a test drive car.

Sadly you can't turn off stability control for some stupid reason also no rear discs or proper seats. I would just buy regular tsi and tune it to get better bang for my buck.

Better than the opel?

Henry owns a 182? Awesome.

Rebirth? Fiesta ST has been killing it for years.

My neighbour just got one - I want one!

dancing people on the hill at 2:32

Wish it was sold in the US

i wish cars like this were available in north america. sadly, a small vw here is what europe considers a family car.

Excellent review and it definitely looks like a good car to drive,but bear in mind it is such a sparse car, devoid of extras and luxury, that rivals have...e.g no central air vents, limited internal storage, metal internal door tops, halogen headlamps etc etc.

Perfect City Car :D

Can’t see why you would even bring fords focus rs into the discussion the up gti isnt in that size sector

can you have an optonal CD player?

The original Golf GTI was expensive. It cost twice the price of the standard Golf. It was nearly as much as a Datsun 260Z. In terms of today’s prices it would cost £30K. Comparisons are unfair.

I'd rather have the Sub7Up.

Great review Thank you, hmm...its just so damn expensive here, its 22-23.000 GBP on the road. I wonder how re-sell value will be on this pocket-rocket??

Seems more like a Polo than a Golf. The Fiesta ST is gigantic by comparison.

The only brand new GTI I buy from VW is if they rebuild the original Mk2 GTI.

I think what today's car lack is simplicity and lightness

Needs a Mazda 1,5 Skyactive engine.

A clio 2 rs is 50 bhp more and just 50 kg more

Jealous. We can't get it in the US. Looks like it could be a lot of fun though.