New Skoda Fabia 2 review

During this week’s UK media first drive event we had the opportunity to try the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.4 diesel variants, both with three-cylinder Skoda designed engines.

As far as the overall design of the new Fabia goes, it is more of the same but improved and that says a lot because the outgoing Fabia was highly rated. The car benefits from more headroom and rear legroom. The width is still a bit cosy but the boot is larger and makes for a very user-friendly five-door hatchback.

The controls are well laid out as was Skoda’s aim and seemingly the quality appears to be very good and should keep Skoda owners raving about their cars. The price is very attractive when you consider the specification you get and now the brand has lost its jokey image there is no reason not to buy.

Sensibly priced and good looking probably sums the new Fabia up very well.

At this stage I can only comment on the performance provided by the two, three-cylinder engines. Yes both give reasonable performance and I’m sure will return reasonable fuel economy but a three-cylinder engine will never be as flexible or as responsive at low speeds as a four cylinder unit.

Both engines, even the 1.4-litre diesel, have very narrow torque and power bands available only at higher than normal engine speeds so you have to work them hard to get the best out of them. In particular in the case of the petrol unit this means plenty of gearchanges to keep the 1.2-litre engine singing along.

The 1.4-litre diesel unit also doesn’t deliver enough torque at low engine speeds so again you push it harder and need to use lower gears on country roads. On motorways the five speed gearbox ratios are fine and respectable cruising speeds can be maintained.

The Fabia 1.2-litre 70bhp petrol engine returned an average of 35.1mpg during my test drive over a combination of A, B roads and motorway driving. The 1.4-litre, 80bhp diesel did better at 44.2mpg, but in reality neither of those figures are class leading.

It is not unusual to get 1.6 petrol and 1.9 diesel four-cylinder engines to produce better figures because they are not worked as hard and they give a more flexible and relaxed drive at lower speeds in and around town.

With regard to comfort and handling: The revised suspension is set up for ride quality and generally absorbs most bumps ands potholes pretty well. The steering is accurate and offers reasonable feedback and the car does turn in nicely during cornering with good levels of grip.

Skoda Fabia 2, 1.2-litre 70bhp(Anticipated best selling model)

Price: £9,720

Engine: 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol, 70bhp and 112Nm of torque at 3,000rpm

Performance: 101mph, 0-62mph 14.9 seconds, CO2 140g/km, VED Band C £115. Insurance group 2

For: Good looks, price, value for money specification, low insurance rating, more space, versatile five-door hatchback.

Against: Choose four-cylinder engine options for greater day-to-day driving satisfaction