Volkswagen Fox
Specs, engines and history
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By Felix Hartmann, Automotive Technology & EV Contributor
- Built
- 2003–2021
- Top power
- 55 kW (75 PS)
Which Fox to buy: verdict
Our verdict · Felix Hartmann
- Best all-rounder in Europe: the 1.4 petrol with 55 kW (75 hp).
- For high mileage: the 1.4 TDI with 51 kW (69 hp).
- Cheapest: the 1.2 three-cylinder with 40 kW (55 hp), for town use.
- In South America: a post-2014 Fox or a SpaceFox/Suran if you need space; note the modest Latin NCAP scores of the two-airbag cars.
The Volkswagen Fox is a small hatchback designed and built by Volkswagen do Brasil, sold in Latin America from 2003 to 2021 and in Europe from 2005 to 2011. In Europe it replaced the Lupo as Volkswagen's entry model, with three-door bodywork and simple 40-55 kW engines; in South America it grew into a family of models including the CrossFox and the SpaceFox/Suran estate. There was one generation, on the PQ24 platform of the fourth-generation Polo, with facelifts in 2009 and 2014.
In short
- Small hatchback on the Volkswagen Group PQ24 platform, built in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil; estates also in Argentina and São Bernardo do Campo.
- Europe 2005-2011: three-door hatchback with 1.2 three-cylinder, 1.4 petrol and 1.4 TDI engines, 40-55 kW (55-75 hp).
- Latin America 2003-2021: three- and five-door hatchback, CrossFox, SpaceFox/Suran estate, with petrol/ethanol flex-fuel engines.
- Replaced in Europe by the up! (2011) and in South America by the Polo.
Volkswagen Fox at a glance
| Specification | Volkswagen Fox |
|---|---|
| Segment | small hatchback (A/B segment) |
| Body styles | 3-door hatchback (Europe); 3- and 5-door hatchback, CrossFox, SpaceFox/Suran estate (Latin America) |
| Production | 2003-2021 (Latin America); sold in Europe 2005-2011 |
| Plants | São José dos Pinhais (Paraná) and São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo), Brazil; General Pacheco, Argentina |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group PQ24 (shared with the Polo IV) |
| Length / wheelbase | 3,805-3,823 mm / 2,465 mm |
| Power in Europe | 40-55 kW (55-75 hp) |
| Predecessor (Europe) | Volkswagen Lupo |
| Successor | Volkswagen up! (Europe), Volkswagen Polo (South America) |
Other small Volkswagens are listed in our Volkswagen catalogue.
Generations and model history
The Fox was never replaced by a second generation. Volkswagen do Brasil updated it twice and built several body styles from the same base.
| Generation | Code | Years | Body styles | Engines | Power (kW / hp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox (Europe) | PQ24 | 2005-2011 | 3-door hatchback | 1.2 I3, 1.4 I4 petrol; 1.4 TDI | 40-55 kW (55-75 hp) |
| Fox (Latin America) | PQ24 | 2003-2021 | 3/5-door hatchback, CrossFox | 1.0, 1.6 flex-fuel; 1.4 petrol; 1.2 I3; 1.4 I3 diesel | not covered here |
| SpaceFox / Suran / SportVan | PQ24 | 2006-2019 | estate (mini MPV) | 1.6 flex-fuel | 1.6: 72-76 kW (98-103 PS) depending on fuel |
The Fox went on sale in Brazil in 2003. For Europe, Volkswagen did not develop a direct successor to the German-built Lupo; it imported the Brazilian Fox from 2005, without counterparts to the Lupo's GTI, FSI and 3L versions. In October 2009 Volkswagen revealed the facelifted 2010 Fox in Brazil, and the hatchback received a second facelift in 2014. The estate versions, called SpaceFox in Brazil, Suran in Argentina and SportVan or Fox Plus in some markets, were facelifted in 2010 and 2015. The CrossFox, later renamed Fox Xtreme, added an SUV-style look with plastic cladding.
Engines and transmissions
| Market | Engine | Fuel | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 1.2 three-cylinder | petrol | 40 kW (55 hp) |
| Europe | 1.4 four-cylinder | petrol | 55 kW (75 hp) |
| Europe | 1.4 TDI three-cylinder | diesel | 51 kW (69 hp) |
| Latin America | 1.0 four-cylinder | petrol/ethanol | not in source |
| Latin America | 1.6 four-cylinder | petrol/ethanol | estate: 72-76 kW (98-103 PS) depending on fuel |
| Latin America | 1.2 three-cylinder, 1.4 four-cylinder | petrol | not in source |
| Latin America | 1.4 three-cylinder | diesel | not in source |
All versions have front-wheel drive. The standard gearbox was a five-speed manual, with a five-speed automated manual (ASG) available. In Europe the 1.2 was the entry engine; the 1.4 petrol (as in the 2008 Urban Fox 75) and the 1.4 TDI gave noticeably more pull. Brazilian flex-fuel engines produce slightly more power on ethanol than on petrol, which is why the 1.6 estate is quoted at 72 to 76 kW (98 to 103 PS).
Dimensions and space
| Parameter | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Length, hatchback 2005-2008 | 3,805 mm | 149.8 in |
| Length, hatchback 2009-2021 | 3,823 mm | 150.5 in |
| Width | 1,640 mm | 64.6 in |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 60.8 in |
| Wheelbase, hatchback | 2,465 mm | 97.0 in |
| Length, estate (Suran/SpaceFox) | 4,165 mm (4,180 mm after facelift) | 164.0 (164.6) in |
| Wheelbase, estate | 2,645 mm | 104.1 in |
The Fox is about 28 cm longer than the Lupo it replaced in Europe, with a 147 mm longer wheelbase, and at 1,545 mm it is noticeably taller. The estate's tail is 360 mm longer than the hatchback's. Our size comparison tool puts the Fox next to current small cars.
Fuel economy and running costs
Our sources give no official consumption figures for the European Fox, so we do not quote any. You can estimate fuel costs on your own mileage with the fuel cost calculator.
Safety
In Europe the Fox received four stars from Euro NCAP in 2005, the year it was launched there. In Latin America, Latin NCAP published several results for local versions:
| Test | Version | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Euro NCAP (2005) | European Fox | 4 stars |
| Latin NCAP (2015) | basic Latin American version | 4 stars adult, 2 stars child |
| Latin NCAP (2015) | Fox with 2 airbags | adult 11.34/17.0; child 21.23/49.00 |
| Latin NCAP (2019) | Suran/Fox with 2 airbags, no ESC | 3 stars adult, 3 stars child (20.98/34.0; 27.13/49.00) |
The 2019 car was tested without electronic stability control, under Latin NCAP's stricter protocol of that time. For current ratings, see our safety section.
Sales and production
The Fox was a volume model in Brazil for most of its life. Brazilian sales rose from 6,000 in 2003 to 54,383 in 2004, 107,600 in 2006 and a peak of 167,708 in 2012. Worldwide production was 206,125 in 2007 and 197,823 in 2012, then fell to 50,273 in 2016 and 18,162 in 2021, the last year of production. The year-by-year figures show the Fox's rise and fall:
| Year | Fox sales in Brazil | Fox production worldwide |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 94,962 | - |
| 2007 | 126,291 | 206,125 |
| 2010 | 143,564 | 194,393 |
| 2012 | 167,708 | 197,823 |
| 2016 | - | 50,273 |
| 2021 | - | 18,162 |
The estates added volume of their own. SpaceFox sales in Brazil went from 11,903 in its first year (2006) to 31,915 in 2009 and 26,866 in 2012. In Argentina, General Pacheco built 45,690 Surans in 2007 and 48,473 in 2011, before output fell to 16,356 in 2018 and just 600 in 2019, its final year. By 2023, two years after production ended, Brazilian Fox sales were down to five cars.
Rivals
| Model | Engines | Power (hp) | Boot (l) | Price from (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Fox (Europe, 2005-2011) | 1.2, 1.4 petrol; 1.4 TDI | 55-75 | not sourced | not sourced |
| Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005, predecessor) | 1.0-1.6 petrol, 1.2-1.7 diesel | 49-123 | 130 | not sourced |
| Volkswagen up! (2011-2023, successor) | 1.0 petrol, electric | 59-114 | not sourced | not sourced |
Inside the Volkswagen range the Fox sat below the Polo, with which it shared its platform.
Photo gallery
Volkswagen Fox in our rankings
- No. 226 of 1082 · Longest-running car nameplates (18 years · top 22%)
- No. 130 of 141 · Most powerful hatchbacks (55 kW · top 93%)
- No. 145 of 151 · Most powerful German cars (55 kW · top 97%)
- No. 974 of 1011 · Most powerful cars (55 kW · top 97%)
In production longer than 78% of ranked nameplates in the 1CARS catalog (No. 226 of 1082).
FAQ
Where was the Volkswagen Fox built?
In Brazil, mainly at São José dos Pinhais in Paraná. Estate versions were also built at São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, and at General Pacheco, Argentina.
When was the Fox sold in Europe?
From 2005 to 2011. The up! replaced it.
How safe is the Volkswagen Fox?
The European Fox received four Euro NCAP stars in 2005. Latin American versions scored lower in later Latin NCAP tests.
What is the CrossFox?
A Fox with SUV-style plastic cladding, sold in Latin America and later renamed Fox Xtreme. The raised estate equivalent was the SpaceCross.
When did Fox production end?
Brazilian production ended in 2021; the Argentine Suran estate ended in 2019.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
