Volkswagen UP

80 registered in New Zealand · 2012–2018 · 91% from Germany

The Volkswagen UP is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 80 registered across model years 2012 to 2018. It averages 4.3 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 55 kW. Most are petrol-powered hatchbacks with a 1.0L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the UP.

Select Year

80 On NZ Roads
1.0L Engine
4.3 L/100km
55 kW

Fuel Types

Volkswagen UP fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Volkswagen UP transmissions: 5-GEAR AUTO 3%, 5-GEAR MANUAL 1%.

Engine Size

Volkswagen UP engine sizes: 1.0L 54%, 1.0L 46%.

Imported From

Volkswagen UP imported from: Germany 91%, Japan 9%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Volkswagen UP vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Volkswagen UP NZ arrival timeline: 2022: 8, 2023: 15, 2024: 11, 2025: 5, 2026: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Volkswagen UP.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

RED 20 (25%)
WHITE 19 (24%)
SILVER 15 (19%)
BLUE 14 (18%)
BLACK 7 (9%)
ORANGE 3 (4%)
GREY 2 (3%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Volkswagen UP regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 26, CHRISTCHURCH: 15, WELLINGTON: 6, LOWER HUTT: 4, NELSON: 3.

Body Types

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1986–2026 5.6 L/100km
2 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 101,776
1971–2026 5.8 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Aqua 66,645
2010–2024 2.8 L/100km
4 Mazda logo
Mazda Demio 48,885
1996–2022 4.8 L/100km
5 Mazda logo
Mazda Axela 47,583
2003–2021 6.2 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Volkswagen UP are there in New Zealand?

There are 80 Volkswagen UP vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 2012 to 2018.

How much does it cost to run a Volkswagen UP?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Volkswagen UP averages 4.3 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $34 per week or $1,760 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Volkswagen UP?

The Volkswagen UP is primarily classified as a hatchback in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: sports car. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Volkswagen UP cars imported or NZ-new?

91% of Volkswagen UP vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.