Skoda Fabia SE 1.2 TSI 86ps 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Fabia is a very good car around town, and the soft suspension is ideal for taking the rough patches out of the British roads, and although it feels big it is actually small enough to be parked with ease. However, when you hit the A roads and the B roads out of town, cornering isn’t too good with a lot of body lean and steering that isn’t nearly as responsive and accurate as it should be. The driving position is quite good with plenty of adjustment in terms of the driver’s seat and the steering wheel, while visibility is good to the front and the rear.

Engine performance from the small 1.2 litre engine isn’t as good as some of its rivals, with the acceleration from 0-62mph taking 11.7 seconds. The top speed of 110mph is fairly competitive for a small car like this, but reaching such speeds will be a noisy experience in the cabin, with engine noise and wind noise clearly audible.

The Skoda Fabia is a little more upright and angular than many of its rivals, but it still has some charm about it, with the grille and headlights combining well for an attractive front end. The cabin is quite square, and the back end is also fairly basic, with the tail light clusters mounted on the body rather than encroaching on the boot door. Inside the Fabia is a little more utilitarian, with the hard plastics being a particularly unappealing aspect of the interior of the car.

Although this version with the SE level of trim isn’t as basic as the entry level Fabia, it isn’t packed with items either. Features such as air conditioning and alloy wheels are welcome addition to the basic package, with electric front windows and remote central locking also included as standard with this model. The CD stereo is fine, but many of the most desirable features will tempt people to look at the optional extras list.

The Fabia is not as small as some of the other supermini cars on the market, and this means that it is a little more practical, with plenty of space in the back seats. The boot space is also good, meaning that this is a small car which is very practical, particularly when you consider its aptitude for driving around town. Skoda has developed an excellent reputation for reliability, and the Fabia has been at the heart of this reputation.

One disappointing aspect about the Fabia is that it has only achieved four stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. The lack of a curtain airbag to look after passengers in the back of the car is disappointing, with ESP also only an optional extra for the Fabia.

Skoda has often been one of the most competitively priced car manufacturers, and this version of the Fabia available for £11,970 embodies this principle.

The running costs and fuel efficiency may reflect the fact that the Fabia is a fairly old model, with the 1.2 litre engine able to achieve an average 54.3mpg, which doesn’t quite keep up with the class leaders. The low insurance group will make this an attractive option for younger drivers, and depreciation is not too bad with the Fabia either. This car is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has a three year membership of the RAC.