Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TDI CR 90ps 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £15,040
Tax Band: B
Insurance Group: 12
MPG: 67.3
CO2: 109
0-62 Mph: 12.6 secs
BHP: 89 BHP
Range: 666 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
For those looking for a car which delivers high performance and efficiency, the Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TSI CR could be the ideal car. The top speed and acceleration figures are high and combine with great efficiency to make this car a worthwhile investment for those looking for long term ownership.

PROS:  Running costs are low and those looking for long term investment will see this as a wise investment. Performance credentials are higher than the Skoda Fabia S 1.6 TDI CR as well.

CONS:  The price is a little steep and despite the improvements in performance on the Skoda Fabia S 1.6 TDI CR there is little improvement to the interior which remains sparsely kitted out.

Behind the Wheel

A four cylinder engine delivers a healthy power output of 89 bhp (90 ps) at 5000 rpm with torque figures of 169 lb-ft at 1500-2500 rpm. This gives the car a top speed of 109 mph whilst acceleration is quicker than in the Skoda Fabia S 1.6 TDI CR with the car taking 12.6 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph.

In terms of handling, the steering of the car is firm and controlled but unfortunately the car’s height puts it at a disadvantage and there is a lot of body roll when driving around corners.

The engine’s efficiency is still a strong attribute and the car is able to achieve an impressive 67.3 mpg on its combined cycle. On top of this, carbon emissions are low at 109 g/km and this means that the car benefits from exceptionally low road tax costs. These credentials are the same as in the Skoda Fabia S 1.6 TDI CR and mean that whilst performance is enhanced in this Elegance model, the efficiency is not affected.

Looks & Equipment

The Fabia looks a little clumsy due to the large front end, making it a little unattractive. Inside the cabin, this model is still a bit sparse and those who want a full range of comforts will need to dig deep into their finances.

Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and an advanced stereo system with both CD and MP3 connectivity.

Part-leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, stability control and a built in sat nav can all be added for an additional cost with Bluetooth connectivity priced at £235 and stability control costing £365.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The fit and finish of internal instruments is good and the materials feel solid to touch without looking cheap. The build is of a high quality and reliability shouldn't be an issue.

As a family car, practicality will be important and the Fabia offers plenty of cabin space for passengers thanks to the long shape of the car. There is also plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel and seats to allow drivers and passengers to find the most comfortable seating position.

The boot capacity of the Fabia is fairly reasonable for a family vehicle with 315 litres of space on offer when all of the seats are in place. With the seats down, this capacity expands to an impressive 1,180 litres which makes it ideal family car material.

The car comes with driver, passenger and front side air bags all fitted as standard features. To protect the car from theft there is an immobiliser fitted as standard with an alarm also fitted.

Value for Money

Priced at £14,460, this car is more expensive than some models in the range but still fairly reasonable considering the efficiency which is offered. The fuel consumption of 67.3 mpg means that refuelling shouldn’t be expensive and will make this car cheap to keep on the road. Road tax falls under a relatively cheap tax band (B) due to low carbon emissions of 109 g/km and even insurance premiums are kept reasonable under insurance group 12.

The additional performance and in-car features offered in comparison to the Skoda Fabia S 1.6 TDI CR makes this car great value for money, but the fact that many features still incur additional costs could be seen as a deterrent.

Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TDI CR 90ps 5dr Car Review - by 
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Small Family Alternatives

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