Skoda FABIA range

With The Fabia, VW's Skoda Outpost Has Established Itself As First Choice For Supermini Buyers In Search Of A Bargain. Jonathan Crouch Reports On The Revised Range

The Skoda Fabia is certainly a world apart from any compact car the Czech company had ever produced before. Designed by the stylist responsible for the Bentley Continental GT, this spacious supermini in hatch, saloon or estate guises is as high-tech as anything that parent company VW produces. But for the badge, you might even mistake it for an Audi.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

That it isn't becomes obvious as soon as you look at the asking prices (a span of £7,570 to £12,595), around 5% less than the cheapest supermini rivals. Most of which are smaller as it happens. The Fabia is still one of the longest cars in its class and has the interior space efficiency to capitalise on those extra inches. Nor is any future rival likely to surpass it in this respect, for anything larger would stray into Golf, Astra and Focus family hatchback territory.

The Fabia has recently received its most far-reaching set of revisions since it was launched, the visual changes centring on a revised front grille, spoiler and fog lamps, as well as restyled rear light clusters that echo the "C" shape of the latest Octavias rear lights. The interior look is modernised with fresher interior upholstery. Since most customers go for mid-ranged trim models and many of them didnt like the fact that you had to stretch to the flagship Elegance models for standard-fit air conditioning, Skodas UK importers have upped the ante in this regard. The previous Comfort spec has been dumped in favour of Ambiente with air con included.

Entry-level Classic trim continues as before, but flagship Elegance spec is much plusher, including rear parking sensors, cruise control and small leather pack. In addition to these mainstream trim levels, there are two sporty options in the shape of the Sport and the vRS. Otherwise, the recipe is much the same as ever. Certainly buyers of such larger cars could consider this surprising little Skoda, for five can be seated in reasonable comfort.

A rather spartan feel is the only real criticism you could make of an interior that is otherwise a class above most other offerings in this sector.

"Certainly buyers of such larger cars could consider this surprising little Skoda"

Arguably, only that of Fiat's Punto really matches this cabin for space - but that car doesn't feel as well screwed together as this one. Forget the plasticky feel of previous Skodas: the materials used are of the highest quality, even on the entry-level Classic models. Most people buy their Fabias in five-door hatchback form (theres no three-door), but estates and saloon versions are also on offer. Dirk van Braekel's chunky styling means a boxy shape that offers good headroom, even for those in the rear. And that in turn contributes to a general feeling of spaciousness. Electric front windows and air conditioning that usefully cools - or heats - the glovebox depending on your setting are standard from Comfort level upwards, but you have to stretch to Elegance trim for heated front seats. Under the bonnet, there's a choice between petrol 54 and 64bhp 1.2s, 75bhp or 100bhp 16v 1.4s, a 1.9-litre 64bhp low-boost SDI diesel or a 1.

4-litre 75bhp TDI turbo diesel. Theres also a more potent 100bhp 1.9-litre TDI (offered in 130bhp form in the vRS hot hatch) and a 2.0-litre petrol unit.

The five-door hatchback-only entry-level 54bhp 1.2-litre HTP derivative has proved to be a particularly popular addition to the range. For a start, the price is enticing - £7,570 - enabling Citycar customers to buy into Supermini quality and size without needing to find any real extra money. If this cars restricted performance is a bit of an issue, then ask your dealer about the slightly more powerful 12v 1.

2-litre engine, a unit which develops 64bhp and manages 60mph in 15.9s on the way to 99mph. If you want a Fabia with any real urgency, youll need the sixteen valve 1.4-litre model and for one of those, youll need a not inconsiderable budget of around £10,000.

The Fabia has also proved popular in estate form. Whilst not the largest estate car around, this version certainly offers significant extra utility over the standard Fabia hatchback. The first thing that catches the eye is that rounded rump. Surely this has a catastrophic effect on load space when compared with the more perpendicular lines of something like a Volvo? Actually, no.

Despite its soft angles, the Fabia estate can still manage a load space of 426 litres with the rear seats in place, which is more than apparently larger cars like the Alfa 156 Sportwagon or the Audi A4 Avant. Admittedly, this isnt saying much, as neither of these estates would claim to be the last word in tea-chest transportation, but with the rear seats folded an impressive 1,225 litres of room is freed up. You can also get a saloon version. One trim level is available with three engines to choose from.

The 1.9-litre SDI is a relatively low-tech diesel engine that musters 64bhp but most go for the 100bhp 1.4-litre 16v petrol-powered version. Theres also a 75bhp version of this powerplant available with an automatic gearbox.

Under the skin, the Fabia uses the VW Groups small car platform which is ultra-safety conscious: suffice to say that if I had to be in an accident in a supermini, I'd want to be in a Fabia. In summary, the Fabia may not be as cheap as small Skodas of the past but it's still cheaper than all its main rivals. And better in many ways, with space, safety and build quality all class-leading. Czech mate? You might well think so.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Skoda Fabia range
PRICES: £7,570-£12,595 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 132-190g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.4 16V] Max Speed 115mph / 0-60mph 11.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 29.7mpg; (extra urban) 51.4mpg; (combined) 39.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3960/1646/1451mm