Skoda cars have been available in the UK for over forty years and made their debut at the London Motor Show in 1954.
Skoda cars have been available in the UK for over forty years and made their debut at the London Motor Show in 1954. In recent years Skoda has undergone a total brand rejuvenation with a range of products that are both credible and desirable. With the introduction of the Fabia supermini in March 2000 Skoda has finally been able to shake off its much-derided image and compete with supermini sector rivals such as the Audi A2, Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 Review , SEAT Ibiza, Volkswagen Polo, and Toyota Yaris.
Since its launch the Fabia has helped rebuild the Skoda brand and has gone on to win numerous awards such as 'Car of the Year' by What Car? and Scottish Group of Motoring Writers’ 'Fabia Diesel Car of the Year' award for the Fabia vRS in 2001. Fabia sales in the UK have totalled 80,860 since its launch in 2000 through to the first quarter of 2004. On the 8th April 2004 the 1,000,000th Fabia drove off the production line at the SkodaAuto plant in the Czech Republic and was handed over to a customer from the UK. which is testament to the British public's confidence in the Skoda brand.
The Fabia range now includes hatchback, saloon and estate versions. We tested the Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.4 TDI hatchback read on to find out whether the Czech supermini is a credible contender within the competitive small car segment which includes its VAG stable mate the class leading Volkswagen Polo.
Skoda Fabia Road Test Data
| Model Reviewed | Skoda |
| Body Type | 5-Door Hatchback |
| Colour | Diamond Silver Metallic |
| Performance (manufacturers data) | |
| 0 - 62 mph | 14.2 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 104 mph |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| CO2 Emissions (NEDC Figures) | g/km |
| Economy (NEDC Figures) | |
| Urban | 49.6 mpg |
| Extra Urban | 68.9 mpg |
| Combined | 61.4 mpg |
| Insurance Group | 4 |
| Euro NCAP Rating | 4 |
| Warranty | 2-Year/Unlimited Mileage Factory Warranty Plus Third Year Valid Until The Car Has Completed 60,000 Miles 10-Year Warranty Against Corrosion 3-Year Paint Warranty 3-Year Roadside Assistance Package |
| Price (when tested on the 05/07/04) | £ 10,250 |
