The Volkswagen Group has proven a past master at building affordable, appealing citycars, and the Fox, priced from just £6,595, is just that, writes Andy Enright.

If you were expecting something primitive, think again.

While it’s by no means as sophisticated as the latest crop of citycars – the Citroën C1, the Peugeot 107 and the Toyota Aygo triplets spring to mind – it does what an inexpensive Volkswagen should do. It’s versatile, well built and hugely spacious.

The tape measure even shows that the interior is bigger in most key dimensions than the Polo, a car that campaigns in a class above.

Volkswagen has even managed to endow the rear seats with a certain degree of MPV-style flexibility.

They fold 50/50 and an option is the capability to slide 15cm back and forth, allowing owners to choose between the Golf class rear legroom or what is genuinely useable luggage space for a family of four. That’s a rarity in this class of cars and will act as a significant plus point for family buyers. The rear seat even folds and flips up, revealing a a very useful flat loading area.

After all, many buyers are now expecting more of so-called citycars. A true citycar is a somewhat limiting vehicle, often purchased as a second or third car.

The latest crop are a whole lot more versatile and can shrug off longer journeys with insouciant ease. Count the Fox among these.

Aside from the 1.2-litre petrol engine, there’s also a 1.4-litre petrol unit.

The 1.4 petrol is good for 74bhp and represents the top of the range.

The sprint to 60mph in 16.8 seconds isn’t anything to shout from the rooftops but this car will cruise at British motorway speeds without feeling too strained and will return a combined fuel economy figure of over 46mpg as well at topping 100mph.

There are two trim levels – standard and, for a premium of £800, Urban, which includes electric front windows, body coloured bumpers and door mirrors and remote central locking.

All versions get twin airbags and are only available in a three-seater bodystyle. Access to the rear is good, even for taller passengers.

The fascia is cleanly styled with a four-spoke steering wheel and a functional instrument binnacle. This houses a large speedometer with an inset digital display and ancillary warning lights along with dials grouped around the outside.

The centre console is of obvious Volkswagen provenance and looks a little outdated compared to some of the slickly designed offerings rivals have come up with.

Volkswagen would doubtless claim the Fox offers everything you need in a citycar and nothing you don’t, but fashionistas will probably look elsewhere.

It’s easy to see the practical reasons for Volkswagen importing the Fox. It’s a no-nonsense, practical and affordable citycar.

What it lacks is that spark of individuality that many citycar buyers value. It’s not exciting but it deserves success.