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Auto Driven: Skoda Fabia
13 April 2007 Price as tested: £12,335/£7,990 Range price: £7,990 - £13,015 Insurance group as tested: 1/3 Insurance group range: 1-4 Date tested: 12 April 2007 Road tester: Adrian Higgins
Skoda’s modern-day reputation for producing quality cars to a budget takes another step forwards with the New Fabia.
Its predecessor, launched in 2000, won praise from motoring journalists and owners alike for its take on supermini motoring.
And now the Czech manufacturer has raised its game with a new version which builds on the outgoing Fabia’s strengths.
The exterior redesign has given the Fabia a more contemporary look. The design is less boxy than previously and borrows from the curvy lines of the Roomster, last year’s range addition.
The shoulder line has been raised and the wheel arches given a more pronounced look while pretty much all the colours available are easy on the eye – making it a more appealing purchase for younger buyers.
But it is inside the Fabia really shines with an extra 47mm in height helping to accommodate all but the very tallest drivers and passengers with extremely good headroom.
That’s certainly no bad thing and the look is simple, robust and stylish.
There are three levels of trim and Skoda has had the marvellous good sense to continue the naming convention begun with the Roomster.
Rather than giving each trim level a name they are simply called 1, 2 and 3.
You get what you pay for but while the 3 is more aesthetically pleasing than the 1, the entry level option is eminently liveable with – especially with prices starting from a tenner under £8,000.
And for that you get a car which not only gives its occupants plenty of room, but their luggage too. Skoda claim the 300 litres of boot space is best-in-class – and with the seats down that swells to 1,163 litres.
It’s good to drive too.
The full line-up will include four petrol models: two 1.2-litre models, a 1.4-litre model and a 1.6-litre model which will also be available as an automatic. There will also be a choice of two 1.4-litre diesels as well as a 1.9-litre version.
We took the three-cylindered 80bhp 1.4-litre diesel and 60 bhp 1.2-litre petrol models out for an hour apiece and while the Fabia is geared more for a comfortable then an exciting drive – the petrol model takes 16.5 seconds to hit 62mph from a standing start – there is fun to be had at the wheel.
Of greater interest to Fabia drivers however is likely to be the frugal qualities which will see insurance, tax and fuel bills all kept to a minimum.
Six airbags on all models is good for safety while part of Skoda’s well-deserved good reputation comes from good provision of equipment.
All models come with electric windows, radio/CD player, anti-lock braking system and a steering wheel which is adjustable for reach and rake (meaning you can alter its distance from the dashboard as well as raise and lower the column).
The Fabia was already a good car. Now Skoda has made it better.
Rivals: You might want to consider one of the following models
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Skoda is part of the VW Group and the dash bears similarity with models in the German manufacturer’s range.
Opt for the diesel model we drove and you’ll be looking at an admirable 58.9mpg average fuel consumption.Page 1
