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Skoda Fabia Estate 1.2 12v Bohemia

For:
Practical and useable luggage space - more than double the hatchback's - but with the same refinement, build quality and keen pricing as the supermini.

Against:
Beaten for all-out luggage space by some rivals. Interior errs towards functionality rather than flair. Petrol engines can sound coarse if driven hard.



Performance

All the petrol engines will do when travelling with a light load, but you'll need the 100bhp 1.4 16v for high-speed work on heavy hauling. Likewise, they perform well on the motorway and scoot around town without effort. Diesel fans should ignore the sluggish 64bhp motor and go for the TDi. The hatch's 2.0 engine is not available.

Ride & handling

As with the supermini, the Fabia estate strikes a good blend of precise handling, a pliant ride that soaks up most road scars and excellent body control on undulating roads - even when fully loaded. Steering response isn't quite as precise as in some rivals though.

Refinement

One of the Fabia's greatest tricks is to convince you that you're piloting a car several classes up. No other supermini isolates you from external influences so effectively, or is such a relaxing motorway companion. The only bugbear is that all petrol engines sound harsh and strained when you extend them and the turbodiesels rattle a bit on start-up.

Buying & owning

Another of the Fabia's ace cards. The Skoda holds on to almost half of its original price over three years. Add to that impressive fuel economy and low servicing costs and insurance groups and it is one of the cheapest small cars to run.

Quality & reliability

Some owners have experienced some minor trim rattles and problems with Skoda's stereo system, but the Fabia is sound mechanically. Fixtures and fittings are of high quality too. All the switchgear operates with a solid, expensive feel.

Safety & security

All Fabias have driver and passenger airbags but side airbags aren't even offered as options, though. Not all models have deadlocks, but even with them, we managed to break in in just over 30 seconds.

Behind the wheel

The Fabia's fascia design is not quite as classy as some of its rivals' and its vast expanses of plastic can seem austere. The controls all work well, however, and it's the model of good ergonomics. Driver's seat adjustment is superb and the wheel moves both ways and an easy-to-use ratchet raises your perch.

Space & practicality

Skoda has done a good job of transforming a supermini into an estate. It offers more than double the luggage space of the donor car and leaves a handy, uncluttered load bay with the flexibility of a split-fold seat. Passenger space remains the same: it can swallow four adults with ease.

Equipment

At the bottom of the range you get no deadlocks, central locking or electric windows, although two airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard. Only at the top of the line-up is air-con standard, alongside remote locking, alloy wheels and all-round electric windows.

Running Costs

Town mpg

35.8

Out of Town mpg

58.9

Average mpg

47.1

Tank Capacity (gallons)

9.9

CO2 Rating (g/km)

144

Insurance Group

3

Typical Insurance Quote

£304

% Value Retained (3yrs/36,000mls)

N/A

Typical Contract Hire Rate (pcm)

£219

Pence Per Mile

0

Servicing Cost over 3yrs

£0

Servicing Intervals

10,000

Manufacturers Warranty

3yr/60k + 10yr Perforation + 3yr Breakdown

Performance & Measurements

Body type

Estate

Number of Doors

5

Number of Seats

5

Engine (cc/type)

1198/3

Fuel Type

Unleaded

Max Power (bhp/rpm)

64/5400

Engine Position

F

Driven Wheels

Front

Length (mm)

4222

Width (mm)

1646

Height (mm)

1418

Boot Space (min ltr)

426

Boot Space (max ltr)

1225

Turning Circle (m)

10.48

Towing Weight(kg)

800

Kerb Weight (kg)

1250

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