Skoda Fabia Review

Skoda Fabia

At the back, the rear window has been enlarged and so have the rear light clusters. These have also been moved to a higher position so they don’t get as mucky - a good idea as many people neglect to wipe them clean during bad weather.

So, from the outside, the Fabia looks distinctive, modern and stylish but my first impression of the interior was that Skoda had taken a retrograde step in terms of materials. To be fair, this is happening throughout the motor industry as a result of the need to make cars lighter but still take account of safety, price and aesthetic issues.

The test car came with a ‘Level 1’ trim, which meant it lacked the soft-touch’ surfaces of Levels 2 and 3. Instead, the hard plastic on the fascia, door-bins and central tunnel, felt brittle and a little unwelcoming. Moreover, Level 1 doesn’t have a lockable, glovebox - in its place are two, open cubbies.  But then with prices starting at £7,990, I shouldn’t grumble. At Level 1, standard features include a rake- and reach-adjustable steering column, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, electric front windows and central locking with a key. Clearly, I have been spoiled - I’ve got so used to using a key-fob ‘blipper’ that using a key felt strangely alien.

The audio system for Level 1 comprises a radio/CD with MP3 compatibility and four speakers, plus an ‘AUX’ port for external MP3 player and suchlike. Satellite navigation isn’t standard at any level nor could I find it in the options list.

Bigger and taller, means that the Fabia’s occupants have more head- and leg-room. The seats are quite firm and those in the back look slab-like, but are, nonetheless, comfortable and supportive. The rear seats have the usual 60:40 split and fold that increases the luggage capacity from 300- to 1,163-litres.

Under the bonnet of the test car was the smallest engine on offer, the 1.2 HTP. This 3-cylinder, 6-valve, petrol unit produces almost 61PS or 60bhp at 5,200rpm and 108Nm at 3,000rpm. It gives the car a top speed of 96mph and takes 16.5 seconds to reach 62mph from standstill. As is the nature of 3-cylinder engine, it is quite whizzy and pulls well from slow speeds. I was impressed at its willing nature and liked it as a town car but I didn’t have the opportunity to test the performance with all five seats occupied.

Skoda Fabia