Will North America get the slick little Volkswagen Cross Up! SUV?

VW-Cross-Polo-6[2]
Ain’t it cute? This is the Volkswagen Cross Up!
Volkswagen will, once again, deny North America a slick product. The cute, little Volkswagen Cross Up! is a 74 horsepower, three-cylinder hatchback that’s based on the regular Volkswagen Up! Yes, the exclamation mark is part of the title. Not even the regular Volkswagen Up! is available for our market, what a bummer.

Sure, a front drive runabout with a lifted suspension and body cladding seems silly to some, but it’s an excellent height for people who deal with snow from time to time, like some of  the brain-trust at TFLCar.

VW-Cross-Polo-7[2]

I did a story on the Honda Fit Twist Crossover a few months back. It was a front-drive, lifted hatchback too. Unfortunately, the Fit Twist Crossover is destine for Brazil – which needs high clearance vehicles for all of its snow.

The extra cladding and cool looking interior of the Volkswagen Cross Up! looks kind of cheeky in a good way. I’m sure that, at a bit less than $19,000, it may seem expensive , but the European market tends to be pricey for small cars. Adjusted for our dollar, I bet Volkswagen could sell these puppies in the States for about $14,000.

VW-Cross-Polo-21[2]

Wouldn’t it be nice to have an affordable Volkswagen again?

A five-speed manual is offered as standard and, despite the three-banger’s 74-hp, it should get up and go with a curb-weight just over a ton. It’s not meant to be a performer, but; like the Polo and regular Volkswagen Up!, the Volkswagen Cross Up! should be mighty entertaining to drive.

Considering Volkswagen’s recent successes in WRC Rally, the Volkswagen Cross Up! could be a sweet little platform for a WRC edition.

VW-Cross-Polo-9[2]

The Volkswagen Cross Up! will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and is projected to go on sale for the European market this summer.

Check out what type of winter fun TFLCar has with two Volkswagen convertibles in winter! 

Could you imagine how much fun the Volkswagen Cross Up! would be with a TDI and all-wheel drive?

Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum.  His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.