Skoda Fabia vRS 1.4 TSI DSG 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Fabia vRS is without doubt a fast car out of the blocks, but the firm suspension really does improve the handling, reducing the amount of body lean which is experienced during corners. The steering is good and accurate enough, but doesn’t respond too quickly, and the Fabia also suffers with a lack of grip when cornering particularly quickly. The driving position is good with plenty of adjustment in the seat and the steering wheel, while visibility is also very good in every direction.

The 1.4 litre engine may appear to be a little weedy for a hot hatch at first glance, but with a turbo and supercharger, this really does race off the line with acceleration from 0-62mph in only 7.3 seconds. The top speed of 139mph is also competitive with other hot hatchbacks, but pushing the car does lead to a lot of wind noise, and a little engine noise too.

When you consider that the vRS is meant to compete with other hot hatches on the market, the looks of the car are really quite understated. The front end has a larger air intake and a flared bonnet, and also has a subtle vRS badge on the grille, while a subtle spoiler over the rear window and a twin exhaust are the only visible hints of the sporting pedigree of the car. Inside the car has sporty seats that are embroidered with the vRS logo, but on the whole it is a little too similar to the slightly dull interior of the standard Fabia.

Alloy wheels are naturally included as standard with a car that is designed to appeal to hot hatch fans, and air conditioning certainly means that it is more comfortable to drive in the summer. Electric windows are included in the front of the car, and it is also supplied with a higher standard of safety equipment than the more basic versions of the Fabia.

The Skoda Fabia is a very good car in many ways, but it has only achieved four stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. However, this version comes with driving aids such as traction control and ESP which both help to keep this powerful car under control. The vRS also comes with a good range of airbags, including the curtain airbag to look after passengers in the rear of the car should there be an accident.

The Fabia is also a very practical car, being small enough to drive comfortably around town, while still having enough space for four adults in the car without having to squeeze in. The boot space is also quite good, making this car practical as well as powerful. Skoda does have a good reputation for making reliable cars, and the Fabia vRS should prove to support this.

One of the most attractive features about the Fabia vRS is that it has a price tag that is lower than the majority of other hot hatches on the market, with a list price of £16,415.

Because it has a smaller 1.4 litre engine, the vRS is also quite efficient when compared with rivals, delivering an average 45.6mpg. The insurance group is quite high, meaning that premiums won’t be cheap, and the Fabia doesn’t hold its value particularly well. The car comes with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has three years of roadside breakdown assistance provided by the RAC.