After a month and almost 1500 miles here is a review of the car so far.

The collection of the car

The economy:-

The car currently does 461 miles to a tank, with the trip computer stating there is 25 miles left. Refuelling the car from empty to the brim takes 50.79 litres – this is at a current cost of £70.55.

As a test, we did a 161 mile round trip on the motorway and refuelled the car - this took 17.32 litres at a cost of 24.06. The fuel gauge did not actually move from full.

This should improve as the mileage increases.

What we like:-

• Very spacious with lots of cubbyholes and drinks holders
  
• Large windows to maximise visibility
  
• Heated wing mirrors
  
• Comfortable seats for long journeys
  
• The engine offers adequate performance and is comfortable to drive on the motorway, with plenty of pulling power when changing lanes
  
• Fantastic turning circle when parking and turning around in tight areas
  
• Good build quality with no squeaks or rattles
  
• The sat-nav is clear and easy to use and offers a full 7-digit UK postcode search
  
• Maxi-Dot offers easy viewing of the sat-nav instructions
  
• Being able to set a speed warning
  
• Rear parking sensors offer visual and audio warning (automatically quietens the stereo) when
  
• approaching obstacles
  
• £20 a year tax
  

Dislikes:-

• Lack of digital radio (DAB) when it is offered in other countries
  
• When unlocking the passenger door on the key fob it is prone to causing accidental opening of the windows
  
• Some cheap plastics on the doors
  
• Day time running lights not fitted
  
• Having to unlock the fuel cap with the ignition key while other cars have an in-car fuel cap release
  
• The bonnet release is on the passenger side on UK cars
  

In summary, the Fabia is a really good car and is excellent value for money. I've had people coming up to me commenting on how much they like the style of it. I am very pleased with my choice of vehicle.

Some photos of her and his car after a wash:-

A Fabia at Top Gear Live:-

Edited 21 November, 201114 yr by Lucky_Lou

Nice little review, like your colour choice 20quid tax is fantastic!!

Hi you've got the same engine as me but I've the higher specked elegance with added toys, I agree with all your findings , however the locking cap with a key is a god send as cars with the auto flap they are getting there fuel nicked, the bonnet opener is on the left to stop accidental operation, as for the widows opening that will be down to you, take it to the dealers and he will sort it to open all door on 1 push of the button, oh I have the drls

Dislikes:-

• Day time running lights not fitted
  

Are you sure DRL's not fitted rather than just turned off - check for a rocker switch hidden under the fuse cover lower right of dash board. See pages 47-48 of the manual if yours is the same edition a mine.

It's an SE, which doesn't have fog lights. No fog lights = no DRL's as they are both in the same unit.

Glad to hear your enjoying the fabia

the bonnet opener is on the left to stop accidental operation

I always thought that was just lazy RHD from LHD conversion, cheaper to keep it on the same side for all cars rather than redesign cable runs.

Nice review and glad your enjoying the car.

I hate the fuel locking cap, but i suppose its safer these days if fuel is being pumped out. However still stupidly fiddly.

Refuelling the car from empty to the brim takes 50.79 litres – this is at a current cost of £70.55.

The fuel gauge did not actually move from full.

I think you may be 'venting' to get so much in a 45L tank. (Filling up the expansion area of the tank too) If you look in the filler neck you will see a button/lever sticking out. You must be pressing this with the filler nozzle. It is designed so when you screw the cap on it opens the vent and the pressure is equalised between the expansion part of the tank and the top of the filler neck.

Glad you're enjoying the new car.

What's interesting is you love the build quality - it's the one thing I hate about my fabia, everything feels a little cheap and just about everything rattles!

But I put up with it because it;s a good value car and great in most other areas.

Build quality is good in mine - better than previous MK1 vRS I had, and leagues ahead of previous Ibiza FR!

Dad's Yeti Elegance however feels better put together.

To the OP - I like the car, just hate the colour!

The fabia is the cash cow of skoda, the same with all marques they all have a cash cow , my fabia 1.4 tdi level 2 is a bit of a rough diamond however the my new fabia elegance is much better, but still not as good as my superb 2

The fabia is the cash cow of skoda, the same with all marques they all have a cash cow , my fabia 1.4 tdi level 2 is a bit of a rough diamond however the my new fabia elegance is much better, but still not as good as my superb 2

I love my elegance fabia 1.2 tsi dsg. How can you compare a fabia against a superb. Ones a supermini and the other a luxury exec car

Great car just not keen on the paint colour.

Is that an S3 on the drive next to it? Looks Niiiiice

I love my elegance fabia 1.2 tsi dsg. How can you compare a fabia against a superb. Ones a supermini and the other a luxury exec car

? I fully understand that, that's my point the fabia is a base level vehicle and therefore we shouldn't expect superb level finishing, I have 2 fabias so I think I can say I like them to, and there is a reason they are cheaper than the rest of the vag makes, they aren't as well put together hence the rattles

Automatically releasing caps can be an utter PITA when it's icy too. I've never yet had a problem with a key operated fuel cap in such though.

very nice review the car looks good nice colour too

You should get better fuel soon.

My 105Hp tdi Monte gets around 580 miles on a tank = I usually fill up with the needle one or two bars into the red and for that it takes usually 40-41 litres.

Today on a 60 mile trip cruise set at 70 but warmed it a little higher as well, I was sitting at 2.5k at 70ish and getting 63 mpg so happy with mine