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Car review: Skoda Fabia Estate
 The boot capacity is class-leading and exceeds many larger five-door rivals Price as tested: £9,360, £12,615 Range price: £9,360-£13,095 Insurance group as tested: 2E, 4E Insurance group range: 2E-4E Date and place tested: 4/5 February 2008 Road tester: Adrian Higgins Click here for more pictures of the Skoda Fabia Estate The Skoda Fabia Estate is less than 1cm longer than its predecessor but with the rear seats flat boasts an extra 235-litres boot space. The entry-level Skoda Fabia Estate is less than £10,000 and boasts the updated looks of the new Fabia hatchback launched last year. We tested the car – and its boot capacity – on a cross channel shopping trip. More than 30,000 Skoda Fabia Estates have found UK homes since the first generation car went on sale in 2001. Now the car has been relaunched to fall in line with last year’s revamp of the Skoda Fabia and the Czech manufacturer says the new model is more practical, more refined and better value for money than its predecessor. Class-leading load space The Skoda Fabia Estate sits on the same platform as the hatchback and is just 7mm longer than the previous model. Like the hatchback updated last year, the car is taller than its predecessor while the wheelarches and waistline have been made more pronounced to give the car a more dynamic stance and the C-shaped rear-light clusters increased in size. Inside, the information display is simple and elegant with rev counter left, speedo right, and further information displayed digitally between. The central console houses the air-con and stereo. The new Skoda Fabia Estate may only be 7mm longer than its predecessor but with all the seats in place, the capacity has increased from 426 litres to 480 litres. Fold the rear seats and this increases to 1,460 litres, compared to the outgoing model’s 1,225 litres. Seats up or down the capacity is class-leading and exceeds many larger five-door rivals. Our trip included a shopping stop at a French supermarket and the car impressed with its ability to swallow a large amount of bulky shopping given the miniscule increase in exterior size. Passengers get more space too, especially those in the rear, where headroom has increased by 42mm. We found it a nice roomy environment as driver, front seat passenger or rear seat passenger with all enjoying plenty of headroom. Cupholders sit in front of the central console with door pockets able to take 1.5-litre drink bottles. Click here for more pictures of the Skoda Fabia Estate Six engine line-up Buyers can choose between six engines. The petrol line-up includes a 70bhp 12v 1.2-litre, 85bhp 16v 1.4-litre and a 105bhp 16v 1.6-litre. The diesel line-up is made up of a 70bhp 1.4-litre, 80bhp 1.4-litre and a 105bhp 1.9-litre. Acceleration from 0-62mph (100kph) ranges from 10.4 seconds for the 1.6-litre petrol to 15.4 seconds for the 1.4-litre diesel, while max speed for the Fabia ranges from 102mph to 119mph. On the first day of the launch we drove the three-cylinder 70bhp 1.2-litre model which we found perky through the standard five-speed gearbox and comfortable at motorway speeds. A six-speed tiptronic gearbox is also available with the 1.6-litre engine enabling drivers to rely on automatic gear changes with the option to shift up and down manually. This represents great value as the entry-level model while those looking for more power will be attracted to the 1.9-litre diesel. We tested the diesel and found it well suited for those looking to shift large loads on a regular basis. Once again it was more than adequate for the job, though noisier at low speeds than the petrol model. We also found the car sturdy and comfortable with good ride quality ensuring bumps and lumps in the road did not jolt through to driver and passenger. The 80bhp 1.4-litre TDi diesel model delivers the lowest CO2 emissions of 120g/km and an annual tax bill of £35. This ranges up to the 105bhp 1.9-litre TDi diesel model in level 2 trim and 105bhp 1.6-litre 16V petrol model in level 3 trim which each produce 180g/km for an annual tax bill of £165. Economical motoring Insurance group bandings of between 2E and 4E will see reductions for many buyers replacing like-for-like models. Fuel economy is impressive with the 1.2-litre petrol model returning 47.9mpg, falling to 40.9mpg on the 1.6-litre petrol model. Four airbags are fitted as standard with curtain airbags available as an option or as standard on the Fabia 3 trim. Skoda has also improved equipment levels over the outgoing model.
All models feature anti-lock brakes, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows and a four-speaker CD player with MP3 player input. Fabia 2 adds 15-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, eight-speaker CD, air conditioning and trip computer. Fabia 3 adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather steering wheel and gear knob, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Options include heated front seats and electronic stability program, The Skoda Fabia Estate is on sale now. |
As with the new hatchbackPage 1
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