Volkswagen Fox

Bland styling is a disappointment, but the Fox scores for cabin space, performance and refinement.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
On the road price: £6,600 - £8,050
For : Roomy, boot, build quality, refinement, driving position, handling
Against : Side airbags not standard, air con costly, styling, lofty stance, no diesel option

Driving:
The Fox is a comfortable companion. A well-damped ride helps, while the four-cylinder engine lets low levels of noise into the cabin, making it a good long-distance cruiser. The 1.4-litre engine, which is manufactured in Brazil, is a version of the unit seen in the Polo, so refinement is up to standard (there is also a 1.2-litre). And with a decent slug of torque, the Fox is quick in-gear. It's responsive in real world motoring. It also has tidy dynamics. The Fox has ample grip and well-contained body roll, while steering is fluid and well weighted. Decent brakes, a slick transmission and predictable manners make the VW easy to drive.

Marketplace:
The Fox is a VW launched in the South American market back in 2003. It's been reworked for European showrooms, with a four-car line-up; 54bhp 1.2-litre and 74bhp 1.4-litre engines are offered in standard or better-equipped Urban trim. There is just a single three-door bodystyle, but even this appears somewhat dated. The Fox is bland and plain compared to the cute Lupo it replaces. Dimensions that are large for a city car don't help; it's noticeably taller than rivals such as the Toyota Aygo, and has the look of a compact MPV. Some testers likened it to a Golf Plus that's shrunk in the wash.

Owning:
Those generous exterior proportions translate into a spacious interior. A height adjustable driver's seat is standard, and the seating position is excellent. Headroom is ample and, while access is hindered by only having two doors, those in the back enjoy generous legroom. Urban models feature a sliding rear bench to juggle luggage and passenger space, but even as standard, the Fox's boot is large and benefits from a low lip. It's just a shame that, when it comes to material quality and cabin design, VW fails to set new class standards. It feels well put together but some of the dash plastics appear cheap; the door trim is the worst offender, but seat fabrics and switchgear are not what we would expect from VW. The car's extra weight and larger engines also mean fuel economy isn't as good as many city rivals, and insurance is higher too, but excellent residuals mean it retains a high proportion of the good-value list price.