Volkswagen Fox I
The Volkswagen Fox I (1987–1993): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 3 versions in the United States.
Model codes: 1B · Sold in: United States
Dimensions, weights and capacity
| Specification | Europe | North America | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 3,830 mm RDW | – | – |
| Width | 1,660 mm RDW | – | – |
| Height | 1,520–1,540 mm RDW | – | – |
| Wheelbase | 2,460 mm RDW | – | – |
| Front track | 1,412–1,447 mm ASTRA | – | – |
| Rear track | 1,408–1,424 mm ASTRA | – | – |
| Weights and towing | |||
| Kerb weight | 969–993 kg RDW | – | 960–1,160 kg |
| Mass in running order | 1,069–1,093 kg RDW | – | – |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,480–1,520 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, braked trailer | 700–800 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, unbraked trailer | 520–540 kg RDW | – | – |
| Seats and space | |||
| Seats | 4 RDW | – | – |
| Doors | 2 RDW | – | – |
| Boot space | – | – | 260 L |
| Luggage space (EPA) | – | 283–934 L EPA | – |
| Passenger space (EPA) | – | 2,180–2,209 L EPA | – |
| Fuel tank | – | – | 50 L |
| Performance | |||
| Top speed | 148–167 km/h RDW | – | 148–167 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | – | – | 13.0–17.5 s |
| Torque | 108–155 Nm ASTRA | – | 87–155 Nm |
Tyre sizes (most common first): 165/70R14, 185/60R14, 195/55R15
Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Wikipedia (de, fr, ja, pl), US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reliability and owner reports
UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age
| Age at test | Pass rate | UK average | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–12 years | 71.0% (70.2–71.8) | 77.9% | 11,758 |
| 13 years and older | 64.4% (64.0–64.8) | 69.2% | 62,068 |
What the MOT finds
| Area | This model | UK average, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 45.2% | 39.3% |
| Tyres | 35.0% | 31.2% |
| Lights and electrics | 33.5% | 27.0% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 26.3% | 16.8% |
| Brakes | 22.3% | 35.0% |
| Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers) | 17.0% | 11.3% |
First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)
Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)
81 complaints for model years 1987–1993. 2 crashes · 3 fires · 1 injury
- Engine 26
Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints
All 3 versions of the Volkswagen Fox I
United States 3 versions
Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Drive | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1993(FFS) | 1.8 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 23–25 MPG (9.4–10.2 L/100 km) EPA | 221–240 g/km |
| 1988–1992(FFS) | 1.8 L | Petrol | 4-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 24–25 MPG (9.4–9.8 L/100 km) EPA | 221–230 g/km |
| 1987(FFS), SIL | 1.8 L | Petrol | 4-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | 25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA | 221 g/km |
Similar models from other brands
Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.