Volkswagen Fox 1.2 Urban Fox

What's new? At first glance, the new Volkswagen Fox seems distinctly lacking in character compared to the Lupo it replaces. Only funky, stripey seat coverings add pizzazz to the slightly amorphous shape.But don’t forget that you were made to pay for the old car’s charm. The Lupo started at nearly £8000, but at £6590 the Fox is cunningly placed to compete against the Toyota Aygo, Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107. We tested the top-spec £7190 Urban edition, which gets front electric windows, remote central locking, a sliding rear bench and body-colour bumpers.What's it like? Inside, you can see where the Fox has sniffed through VW’s parts bin – the steering wheel and stereo are taken directly from the Polo. The plastics on the doors and dash are of lower quality than in that car, but it all feels well put together, and the design is neat, with plenty of storage space.The performance of the entry-level 54bhp 1.2-litre unit is modest, acccompanied by an enthusiastic but not intrusive three-cylinder thrum. The 1.2 feels breathless at motorway speeds, but there is a 1.4-litre, 74bhp four-cylinder unit available for those who frequently stray from the city.Should I buy one? Long-travel suspension provides an excellent ride but mediocre body control, not aided by the poor feel of the power-assisted steering. Despite only being available as a three-door, the Fox has the longest wheelbase in its class and rear seats that can comfortably take two adults. Factor in the cache of the VW badge, and Toyota, Citroën and Peugeot have cause to be worried.Jon Quirk