| As long as I can remember, the Volkswagen brand | | | | racing either. Its grey, it's very plastic and there are no |
| has been synonymous with quality engineering, | | | | added gadgets bar the CD player. Again I have to |
| understated style and immense popularity. The Golf | | | | revert to the price argument. For slightly over six grand |
| and The Polo both command large portions of the | | | | you can hardly expect in-built sat nav or even air |
| supermini market. In the same way that certain lagers | | | | conditioning (which is available to install but will cost you |
| are advertised as being "reassuringly expensive", the | | | | a whopping £925!). The closest you get to flair |
| VW range has billed itself as the connoisseur's choice | | | | as standard on the VW Fox are the two cup holders. |
| of hatchback. So what happens when Volkswagen go | | | | What you get is...well...functional. The Fox isn't a |
| cheap? With prices starting as low as £6,625, | | | | particularly pleasant place to sit for extended periods |
| Volkswagen are really stooping below their usual price | | | | of time, but for the 10 minute drive to the supermarket |
| bracket. The VW Fox is here to put its case forward. | | | | and back, it will suffice amicably. |
| The first impressions of the Fox are about as positive | | | | The handling isn't bad at all for the price bracket and |
| as they possibly could be; it essentially looks like a | | | | the Fox's steering feels light but intuitive. The Fox feels |
| slightly smaller Polo, which is pretty much all you could | | | | positively agile compared to some of the supermini |
| expect. The trademark boxy looks bare the VW | | | | competition. If they could match the peppy steering |
| hallmarks that have etched themselves into | | | | with an engine that could maximise the handling |
| automotive history. To sweeten the deal, the Fox is | | | | potential, then the Fox would be a fun drive. As it |
| also taller and wider than most of its competition. So | | | | stands, it can feel frustrating at times; you want to go |
| far, so good. | | | | faster, but the heavy bodywork and struggling engine |
| I am an advocate of the popular adage "you get what | | | | are holding you back. |
| you pay for", so to be honest I wasn't expecting a | | | | As a result of all of this I found driving the Volkswagen |
| great deal from the Fox's drive. And I didn't get much | | | | Fox to be a confusing experience. I knew that I wasn't |
| either. But we have to put this into some kind of | | | | particularly comfortable, or enjoying the ride so much, |
| perspective, for six and a half grand you can't expect | | | | but I know if I bought one I'd be so blown over to own |
| the comfort or styling of the Golf...it is double the price | | | | a genuine VW for less than £7000 that I would |
| of the Fox after all. What you do get is a car that has | | | | probably be constantly sporting a smile anyway. |
| been specifically tuned to pull at low revs. This makes | | | | In summary, if you don't drive for fun or particularly long |
| it perfect for city driving, but as soon as you get out | | | | distances then the VW Fox is a cheap, reliable car |
| on the motorway or country roads, the Fox will | | | | that has enough space to accommodate four people |
| struggle. The cars weight is also a bit of a problem | | | | comfortably. For weekly trips to the shops you would |
| when you consider the 1.2 Litre petrol engine only has | | | | be pretty silly to splash out any more than the Fox |
| 55bhp, again it will perform well from the traffic lights, | | | | costs. It's practical, stylish and has the VW badge...just |
| but take it beyond 50 mph and you will hear the effort. | | | | don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. |
| The interior of the Fox doesn't exactly set the heart | | | | |