1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Handling/roadholding
- Visibility
- Fuel economy
- Versatility (wagon)
Cons
- Passenger room
- Cargo room (sedan)
- Noise
Vehicle Highlights
Volkswagen's Brazilian-built subcompact debuted for 1987 as an entry-level 2-door or a step-up GL 4-door sedan. Those two were followed by an unusual 2-door station wagon (which was dropped after '90). A Fox measured 5.4 inches longer than the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, but 8.3 inches shorter than a Jetta sedan. At 92.8 inches, its wheelbase was 4.5 inches shorter than that of the Golf/Jetta duo. Motorized front shoulder belts went into 1990 models, and separate lap belts had to be buckled manually. The 1990 lineup included a base 2-door sedan, GL 4-door sedan, and GL 2-door station wagon. Those three used an 81-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4 cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. The GL Sport 2 door held the same engine, but it drove a 5-speed manual transmission.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Volkswagen Fox sedan 4-speed Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 33 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Volkswagen Fox:
The Fox lineup shrunk this year, as the station wagon and GL Sport 2-door dropped out. Surviving were the base 2-door and GL 4 door sedan. A 4-speed manual transmission remained in the base car, but the GL sedan got a 5-speed. Both models earned a modest facelift, including rectangular aero headlamps and rounded taillamps.
1992 Volkswagen Fox:
Except for a rewired radio, which now turned off along with the engine, nothing was new for '92.
1993 Volkswagen Fox:
Air conditioning became standard in the Fox's final season, and the 4-speed manual transmission disappeared. Both the base 2-door and GL 4-door sedans now used a 5-speed. Two-door sedans gained full wheel covers, dual outside mirrors, body-color bumper aprons, and the same 175/70SR13 tires used on the 4-doors. Some upgraded interior trim went into 4-door sedans.
Our road test for the 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Sprightly performance mixes with thrifty gas mileage from the ready-to-rev, longitudinal 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. The 4-speed manual transmission has a tall overdrive top gear, which keeps the engine well below its 3250-rpm torque peak. That means downshifting to third gear is mandatory for adequate passing power. Driving in traffic is easier with a 5-speed, which has closer gear ratios. The shift linkage on both manual transmissions leaves something to be desired, but no automatic transmission ever was offered. Fuel economy is about the same with either transmission: 25 to 30 mpg in urban driving. Power steering also was lacking, and the manual setup demands plenty of extra muscle at parking speeds. Interior noise levels are louder than most, and can really get loud at high speeds. Relatively thin, upright roof pillars aid visibility, which is good to all directions. The ride is firm and nicely controlled. All models handle with agility, but wider tires make the GL more sporty. Head room is minimal all around. The driver's seat is so high that most drivers find their heads close to or against the ceiling, and no seat height adjustment was offered. Leg room is ample up front and adequate in back, even with the front seats moved back. Only two can fit into the back seat, however. The wagon has more head room, but getting into back seats is tough. Sedan trunks are small and shallow, and the full-size spare tire, mounted against one wall, takes up a lot of potential cargo space. The wagon's rear seat folds to increase cargo room to nearly 62 cubic feet.
Value for the Money
Overall, the Fox has a substantial feel--definitely a cut above most budget-priced cars. It's also more fun to drive than most older subcompacts in its price class.
Overall, the Fox has a substantial feel--definitely a cut above most budget-priced cars. It's also more fun to drive than most older subcompacts in its price class.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Volkswagen Fox sedan 4-speed Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 33 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Volkswagen Fox includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Volkswagen Fox .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Climate control:
The heater-control lever becomes hard to operate, requiring replacement of both the control cable and the heater-control valve. (1993)
Engine misfire:
The engine may stall or cut out when slowing down after driving over 1/2 hour at constant speed because of a problem with the mass air flow sensor. (1990-93)
Mirrors:
Wind noise, an air leak, and trouble adjusting the outside mirror can be traced to a deteriorated rubber grommet that seals the joy stick. (1990-93)
Tire wear:
Abnormal tire wear is likely due to a problem with rear wheel alignment. A new stub axle is available that changes the toe-in. (1990-93)
Vehicle noise:
The fuel-injection system makes a loud ticking sound unless a noise damper is installed in the fuel-return hose. (1991-93)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $585 |
| Alternator | $390 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $675 |
| Brakes | $290 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $435 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,040 |
| Exhaust System | $275 |
| Radiator | $510 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $440 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $110 |
Our price chart for this generation Volkswagen Fox details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1993 | |||
| Fox | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1992 | |||
| Fox | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1991 | |||
| Fox | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1990 | |||
| Fox | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Volkswagen Fox include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 2-door wagon | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 92.8 | 92.8 | 92.8 |
| Overall Length, in. | 163.4 | 163.4 | 163.4 |
| Overall Width, in. | 63.0 | 63.9 | 63.0 |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.7 | 54.5 | 53.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2172 | 2203 | 2238 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 9.9 | 61.8 | 9.9 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 12.4 | 12.4 | 12.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 36.6 | 36.6 | 36.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.1 | 41.1 | 41.1 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.4 | 35.8 | 35.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 30.2 | 30.2 | 30.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Only one engine went into the Fox: an overhead-cam 4 cylinder, rated at 81 horsepower. No automatic transmission ever was offered. All models except the GL Sport 2-door had a 4-speed manual transmission in 1990. The Sport had a 5-speed, which went into the GL sedan in '91. All transmissions were 5-speeds in 1993.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.8 / 109 | 81 | 93 | 4-speed manual: 25/32 5-speed manual: 25/33 |
4-speed manual: -- 5-speed manual: 26.4 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Brazil
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Volkswagen Fox include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1993 Volkswagen Fox directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990-93:
If a component fails while car is being driven, coolant can overheat, causing system pressure to rise to level where a leak can occur; hot coolant could then escape into interior.
1991:
Metal fuel lines with incorrect contour were installed in some cars, allowing line to rub against intake manifold; prolonged rubbing could cause leakage and potential for engine fire if exposed to ignition source.
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