The second generation Fabia was never going to be as significant a supermini as the first, but it is a pretty fine effort all the same.
Skoda is enjoying huge success globally thanks to a model range that features excellent cars like Roomster, Octavia, Superb and Fabia.
The Czech firm owes the success to its parent Volkswagen.
Since the German firm took over the former communist giant a number of years after the Velvet revolution, Skoda - so often the brunt of jokes - has been laughing all the way to the bank.
By using VWs parts bin, engines and platforms Skoda continues to deliver budget VWs in all but name and that has to be a good thing.
Fabia was first launched in 2000. Underneath its skin lay many parts from the yet to be launched VW Polo. Priced and built well the little five-seater was an instant hit with the critics. Later saloon and estate versions completed the range.
The new look exterior features Skodas latest corporate nose and is quite similar to the Roomster head on. The rest of the body is an evolution of the Fabia hatchback shape with a high shoulder line giving off an air of strength. The slab sided look means interior space is great for a supermini, although the 'C' pillar restricts visibility when reverse parking.
My test car features the tiny 3-cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine. It is a superb motor for nipping about the city and surprisingly quick.
The 3-cylinder unit can sound like a garden strimmer on speed but eagerly piles on the revs when asked. There is little or no engine breaking so you need to use the gears wisely or you'll find yourself investing in new brakes pads sooner than expected.
The 300 litre boot is decent as is access overall. I had no complaints from my three kids in the back. Inside the cabin is large and yes all the usual VW switchgear is present.
Hard plastics in dreary colours are par for the course making the dash far from interesting. The speedo dials are quality, however one downside is the way the stereo protrudes, as more than once my left knee knocked off it.
On the road the Fabia is comfortable and manages most surfaces well. Cornering in the front wheel drive car is hardly sporting but the car throws up no surprises. My drivers seat has the classic VW lever height adjuster which I always seem to inadvertently adjust each time I get in or out, which is an annoying niggle.
The engine range goes up to a 1.9 litre diesel but for me the base 1.2 is your only man.
An Estate version will arrive here early next year with the current estate remaining in production in the meantime.
There are four trim levels 'Classic, Ambiente, Sport and Elegance'.
Prices start at €14,250. My test car featured Elegance specification and costs a little over €18,000, which is a fair whack of money, but spare a thought for punters in the Czech Republic where a basic Fabia costs 13 times the average yearly salary!
Since 2000, 1.5 million Fabias have be sold worldwide and I am sure the new version will continue to be a sales success but competition now is far hotter than it was at the turn of the millennium.
Michael Sheridan
