There are a couple of mentions of Fabias in the edition of What Car that landed on my doormat this morning. (The April edition - which arrives at the start of February...).

They have a 3-page test comparing a Fabia Estate (1.9TDi) to a Peugeot 207 SW. They give both cars 4 stars out of 5, but reckon the Peugeot wins (more fun to drive, more stylish, more refined).

They also have a quick look at the Sport - 4 stars again although "not really that sporty". They also say "If you want a Fabia with real hairs on its chest, wait for the 170 bhp vRS which arrives later this year".

The pu**** won? Unbelievable.

Well, reliability will certainly dampen any driving enjoyment someone gets out of a new Peugeot. I'd rather own a wheelbarrow.

Thumbs up to the Fabia Combi!

This review came to some baffling conclusions, apparently giving more weight to eg drive and looks than to passenger and luggage space, usability, durability and value. I think part of the problem is WC's underpinning, and unsubstantiated claim that a supermini estate should have the same fun and style as a supermini. The 207SW is a stretched supermini, but the Fabia estate is really a small family car: the 207 SW has little more luggage space than the Fabia hatch. WC has a downer on both Fabias' dash and interior (tho oddly not the Roomster's which is almost identical in the front). Utilitarian perhaps, but many find it appealingly functional, simple and smart (not to say robust).

The 207 may drive better, but most reports say the Fabia drives well enough too, some even praising it, so hardly a critical difference for this kind of car.

Refinement of the TDI is an issue as many users and commentators have mentioned, but even this opinion seems divided. It would be interesting to see how well the 1.6 petrol would do in the estate.

Finally WC's reference to looks is surelly too subjective to be part of the evaluation.

Completely agree with you Helix!

Sometimes What Car's reviews are fantastic, other times they are very poor. Take note, I am not saying this just because I am bitter about one car being reviewed as 'better' than another!

Firstly, as Helix pointed out, these supermini estates are not really designed for driving thrills, lets face it, they are not competing with a bloody Lotus Elise. It is however, made for practicality, comfort, usablility (load lugging) and to have reasoable performace plus reliablity. As far as I am concerned the Fabia beats the 207 in all these respects, as well as in terms of quality. They talk about the lack of refinement in the engine, but hey I know I would certainly like something with a bit of grunt as opposed to that poxy 1.6hdi in the peugeot!!

Mark:thumbup:

170bhp vRS, can't wait for that but don't see it happening this year.

Davy

Completely agree with you Helix!

Sometimes What Car's reviews are fantastic, other times they are very poor. Take note, I am not saying this just because I am bitter about one car being reviewed as 'better' than another!

Firstly, as Helix pointed out, these supermini estates are not really designed for driving thrills, lets face it, they are not competing with a bloody Lotus Elise. It is however, made for practicality, comfort, usablility (load lugging) and to have reasoable performace plus reliablity. As far as I am concerned the Fabia beats the 207 in all these respects, as well as in terms of quality. They talk about the lack of refinement in the engine, but hey I know I would certainly like something with a bit of grunt as opposed to that poxy 1.6hdi in the peugeot!!

Mark:thumbup:

the psa engine at 110bhp is quite a engine imoa. not sure what version they use the in sw, if its the 90bhp version then its good in a light weight car like the c2 or 3 but not a bigger sw. i cant understand why they are looking at things like the drive, when the fabs more practical? and to slate the interior of teh fab and not the roo, when they are the same is odd too.

hdi refinement over the the tdi build quality hmmm not a hard one is it lol!!

170bhp vRS, can't wait for that but don't see it happening this year.

Davy

was in dealers on wednesday,henrys in glasgow,salesman says they have been told early 2009,also says they now know they are losing loads of sales,get your finger out vw

was in dealers on Wednesday,Henry's in Glasgow,salesman says they have been told early 2009,also says they now know they are losing loads of sales,get your finger out VW

Combi VRS if the Skoda-Gods shine on us!

Was on the Skoda-auto.com (international) site the other day & a survey request came up from them... Well let's just say I took advantage to let them know where it stands!

was in dealers on wednesday,henrys in glasgow,salesman says they have been told early 2009,also says they now know they are losing loads of sales,get your finger out vw

They are having real problems with sorting out the chassis of the new vRS as it sits up so high, the centre of gravity is all to hell with the handling for a sporty car.

The diesel engine fits fine but having a high SOG will be a big bummer to overcome.

I asked yesterday and the word is NO CAR UNTIL AT LEAST NEXT YEAR!!

Ben

Going back to the original post - I tend to feel that WC have missed the point altogether with Supermini estates - there is only one real reson to get them over the standard hatch - that is luggage space - so why get a 207SW when both the Fabia Hatch and Yarris have equally large boots - the 207 and the Clubman are not real estates and thats all there is to it...

Only decent competition will come from the Clio when it finally gets here - they have the same idea as Skoda - lugging power...

Designer Estates? Pah!