Skoda Fabia | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

Gist of review (minus piccies) below -

Skoda follows up the success of the first Fabia with this stylish second offering

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Pete Gibson April 2007

It's official - 2007 is set to be a great year for Skoda! That's because the Czech brand has scored two big successes in Auto Express's Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with the Octavia taking first place and the firm claiming second in the overall manufacturer rankings.

The Fabia takes its front end styling from the recently launched Roomster supermini-MPV, and it features the same upright, wraparound windscreen and chunky lines

So can the new Fabia continue the party? Top brass are certainly hoping so. Bigger, more stylish and offering a wider range of engines than before, the car is better placed than ever to challenge supermini giants such as Ford's Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa.

Buyers only have to wait until next month for the newcomer to hit showrooms, but to see what they've got to look forward to, we took a drive in what's expected to be one of the best-selling models - the 1.4-litre diesel.

And before you even get behind the wheel, there's a great deal to be impressed about. That's because Skoda has created a bold new look for its latest model. The Fabia takes its front end styling from the recently launched Roomster supermini-MPV, and it features the same upright, wraparound windscreen and chunky lines.

At the rear, the thick pillars and angular tail look great. You can make your Fabia more distinctive by opting for a wide range of bright body colours, and even a MINI-style contrasting finish for the roof.

Inside, the Fabia builds on the quality of the previous model by offering better fit and finish, but it adds some much-needed flair, too. Chrome highlights on the dash, door handles and gearlever brighten things up, and you can also specify optional two-tone trim.

Up front, there's plenty of space, and although the seats could do with more side support, the driving position is good, thanks to a reach and rake-adjustable wheel. In the back, the 300-litre boot is generous, and headroom for rear seat passengers is ample. Leg space is a bit tight, especially for six-foot-plus passengers - although the Fabia's rivals are no better in this area.

Under the bonnet, there are four petrol engines and three diesels to choose from, with power outputs ranging from 60bhp up to 105bhp. A six-speed Tiptronic auto is available as an option, but most variants come with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Twist the key of this 80bhp 1.4-litre TDI model and you're left in no doubt that it's a diesel. But on the move, the rumble of the three-cylinder quietens down - particularly on the motorway. And with lots of low-rev punch, it's a gutsy performer. The unit is frugal as well, returning combined fuel economy of 61.4mpg, while CO2 emissions are a low 120g/km.

As for the rest of the driving experience, 'comfortable' is the first word that springs to mind. Our car had a soft suspension set-up, which offered a cushioned ride that ironed out bumps on rough surfaces with ease.

However, the pay-off is that there's a lot of body roll in corners, and the numb steering doesn't encourage you to push on. But for most buyers comfort, rather than driver enjoyment, will come as the priority. Standard equipment is generous, and the Fabia is available in three trims, named simply 1, 2 and 3. Prices range from

What they failed to mentioned was the fact that the colour of a car at it's magazine 'launch' can make or break peoples perception of that car.

Therefore they used RUST BROWN !! Well done !!

Well at last I know it's got a decent ride comfort! Let's hope they've replicated the good features of the existing model, like the driving position and decent seats. On the latter I test drove a Nissan Qashqai and it was a really good drive but the seats ruled it out as the seat backs aren't tall enough for my long back.

Dashboard looks very 70s LOL It looks like there's an old MW radio in the dash in picture 3 of 12!

Don't like it.

Dave.

Dashboard looks very 70s LOL It looks like there's an old MW radio in the dash in picture 3 of 12!

Don't like it.

Dave.

:iagree:

Looks very retro. Dont care for the sat nav (?) screen below the CD player slot, someone is bound to break in and try to rip it out or something.

Still dont like the front and the BMW mini style body.

Somebody mentioned and I forgot the name sorry, that when they drove the Roomster, they kept banging there knee of the sharp corner in the centre section. It looks like the new Fabia's will all get this! :(

Good write up, interior is alright, don't like where the cd changer is through.

David

Add in the great looks,

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Originally posted by AutoExress Guest Journalists Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder

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Originally posted by AutoExress Guest Journalists Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder

In fact almost all the reviews I have read seem to like the styling of the car. Seeing as the journalists have obviously seen the car in real life, perhaps it looks better in reality than in the photos? Or perhaps u lot on here are all miserable barstewards

Good review here: Auto Driven: Skoda Fabia - Auto Trader UK

Bigger, more stylish and offering a wider range of engines than before, the car is better placed than ever to challenge supermini giants such as Ford's Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa.

I thought it was smaller?!

I thought it was smaller?!

It's slightly longer, a bit taller but a couple of mm narrower.

I bet the satnav mentioned as std in the '3' isn't

Dashboard looks very 70s LOL It looks like there's an old MW radio in the dash in picture 3 of 12!

Don't like it.

Dave.

That's the contols for (what looks like) the fully automatic Climate Control/Heating system , the stereo/sat-nav is underneath.

Review in Autoexpress today of the base spec Fabia: Skoda Fabia | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

Interior looks good there for the base spec model, like the blue seats, brightens things up a bit. Good spec for under

I like this new model. Excellent result for 8K Good job the review isn't being done by the majority on this forum We'll leave it to the experts eh.

What Car also pithced it against the new Corsa. The Corsa won as it had a better interior and was better to drive.

I've bought the latest Autocar as that has a really indepth road test aswell, it'll no doubt be up on their website soon

Autocar liked the Fabia too (4.5 stars) and said it is the best if you want space but the Corsa is slightly more refined.

Also said the Fabias interior was significantly better than the current Polos, better than the Clios and nearly as good as the Corsas.

I like this new model. Excellent result for 8K Good job the review isn't being done by the majority on this forum We'll leave it to the experts eh.

You mean those that will never buy it?

at least the cup holders are in a better place......

Can't stand the new Fabia, looks cheap and the roomster style front is repulsive and the dash looks like something from a 70's car. That radio or whatever it is hanging below the rest of the dash reminds me of the my 1980 Mini. The Corsa is way ahead, on style, options and apparently refinement. Saying that I hope Vauxhall have finally sorted out their engine management issues.

I doubt the new Fabia will be as successful as the old one. The original was ahead of it's time in terms of chassis, space, value and build quality. The new one has already been beaten by the Corsa in every test which isn't exactly a good start, especially as so far the mags have only tested it against the Corsa. Does not appear to be as good value as the original, is less attractive (and the original wasn't exactly a supermodel), and uses the same chassis albeit modified. Skoda servicing is also relatively expensive, and the residuls are nothing to shout about, after 3 years it holds 3 percent more than a Corsa, which is a super depreciating Vauxhall. Fabia appears to have lost a lot of it's advantage over the competition.

The original Octavia looked better than the 2nd, same with Fabia, the Roomster is so ugly it is laughable. Perhaps the Skoda slogan should change to "Manufacturer of cars too ugly to be seen in".

New Fiesta due too, and it looks the business so far...

I doubt the new Fabia will be as successful as the old one.

Well if the opinions of this forums members are anything to go by, it was a complete and utter mistake. Hope nobody in the new Fabia turns up at the Briskoda meeting that you attend.

Well if the opinions of this forums members are anything to go by, it was a complete and utter mistake. Hope nobody in the new Fabia turns up at the Briskoda meeting that you attend.

Amongst those who make superficial judgments - judging it only by its looks - it will seem to be a mistake. Amongst those who check out the improvements and test drive it, it is too early to say. I don't like the look of it either, but I am willing to give it a try.

When I saw the Roomster, I thought it looked awful. I still do. But I had a look inside and I was impressed. The only slight problem was the lack of clearance between the console and my knee (a problem that has been mentioned here). If this is the same with the new Fabia, it will be more of a minus point for me than its looks.

I the article it mentions top-spec 3 model features climate control, sat-nav, plus driver, passenger and side airbags. Does it have sat-nav and what is plus driver?

I the article it mentions top-spec 3 model features climate control, sat-nav, plus driver, passenger and side airbags. Does it have sat-nav and what is plus driver?

No it doesn't have sat nav , certainly not as standard! and what you mean is 'plus , driver , passenger and side air bags' the comma was in the wrong place there!