Test drove some cars yesterday as I try to make up my mind whether to replace the Fabia vRS and if so what with. I started writing things down for myself as I thought about it and have now turned it into a post for everyone's delight.

A new Honda Civic 2.2 CDTI sport version with 1,000 miles on the clock, scuffed bumper and stone chip on the bottom middle of the windscreen. Poor old demonstraters...

And a 2.0D V50 SE Volvo (as they didn't have a S40 on the day) - the V50 is the Estate version of the S40 - with 12k on the clock.

I know that the Fabia is in a different 'class' to these, but none the less it's a cracking car (when things don't need servicing or fixing) and so whatever I get next has to equal the enjoyment. I think I would like a slightly bigger car next time around - it has to have four or five doors.

Enjoyment for me this isn't necessarily tearing around the place (although see next paragraph), more the comfort, ease of use etc so that's why I also compare the Fabia to these two 18 grand odd things (yes, I know the Volvo SE is 20k RRP but it looks like 2k should be able to be knocked off and the Honda is 16k RRP but you have to have some extras which bump the price up) because it is a very easy car to live with. It's also quite a good bit cheaper...

The Volvo felt quicker than the Honda to me, although driving both has now reminded me of the grin factor in the Fabia vRS, which appears to pull better than either especially in higher gears and just, well, fun. Well, it is a small hatchback of course. Anyway in both the other cars it appears more change downs required to get past things on a dual carrigeway than the Fabia. Volvo is the quietest, the Fabia the loudest.

All cope OK with windnoise and roadnoise, just you don't notice it in the Volvo whereas it is acceptible in the others.

All ride well, the Volvo the best at soaking up potholes etc, the Honda and Fabia the same (ie a bit more harsh). Didn't try the Volvo on twisty bits (had the salesman with me) but did the Honda, felt a bit more scary than the Fabia to me. I find this all a bit too subjective to describe in detail though, and everyone is unique in their driving style and what they want out of the ride.

The Volvo has a lovely interior design and roomy apart from the rear, where the Honda has lots of space, huge boot and clever folding seats. The Fabia is a bit plain in comparision, but has more headroom then either and possibly more comfort for adults in the rear than the Volvo. Honda is the winner in the rear passenger space though. And the rear doors open really wide.

The Honda dash & instruments, while having a real wow factor at first (holographic type rev counter etc), is actually annoying & confusing when you come to use the controls & read the displays. The Volvo felt intutive in the same way the Fabia does, only the handbrake which is right over beside the passenger seat which I just got used to at the end of the drive.

The Honda is on a par with the Fabia for build quaility, it had trim rattles when travelling. Neither are as good as the Volvo, which I also rate better than a 55 plate Audi A4 S-Line estate someone I know had as a courtesy car this week - on that the entire headlight switch moved when you used it, cheapy plastic covers on the rear seats, wobbly plastic door pockets and so on - but I digress.

Seats on all three are very comfortable, couldn't really rank them apart at all, apart from the fact the SE spec Volvo is leather as standard, the Honda is dark black cloth and the Fabia 'clean me every month' light grey (which is OK provided you can keep them clean!).

The Honda's visibility is not good - the rear spoiler obsurces rear view and the lower perspex part of the rear window distorts around the spolier, so its like looking through a bottle of beer or an old church window! You have to use the wing mirrors on the Honda.

The A posts (next to the windscreen) are annoying on the Honda too. In the Fabia and Volvo there are equally thick A posts but the Volvo seems to not be so intrusive. On the S40 there is a small quarter-light on the rear doors which helps rear quarter view (the V50 estate is the best view out of course - more glass).

Equipment wise, Volvo has a lot of standard stuff and a cracking stereo. The Honda stereo was more bassy & in your face, but the car had upgraded speakers (an option). I think the standard Fabia ICE is great, but the Volvo pips it. 6 CD is also standard on the Volvo, loading from the centre console.

Fabia's folding ignition key is the best design and yet to be beaten.

So, overall liked the Volvo very much, I think the Honda is nice but not quite right, but neither have the grin factor of the Fabia, although the Volvo is a very nice civilised place to be.

Hmm...

Interesting review and comparison.

I'm looking forward to the new baby Volvo out next year :drool:

Why not just keep the Fabia for another 12 months, save beer tokens, wait for new Fabia and then test drive some more ?:rubchin:

Why not just keep the Fabia for another 12 months, save beer tokens, wait for new Fabia and then test drive some more ?:rubchin:

Yes, an idea - the finance deal on the Fabia finishes in a couple of months though and presume it will be worth a bit more now after two years ownership than three (and out of warranty).

More space, five doors queit, bit larger, fast, well specced £19 k octavia mk2 vRS?, need a deisal, get an octavia sport?