Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI Elegance Review

The original Skoda Fabia made the grade as a supermini sensation. However Skoda beware: Renault has resharpened the Clio, Vauxhall’s Corsa is fresh out of the box, Toyota’s Yaris has plenty of new-car shine. In terms of profit, this sector of Europe’s car market is ferocious – there are no fewer than 4.6 million potential customers across Europe for cars like this.

The Skoda Fabia has sold 1.5 million worldwide since 2000, a figure that includes 130,000 happy British customers. The original also bagged plenty of awards from esteemed international car writers. Indeed, the Fabia’s lasting legacy was not about bagging silverware. It was the car that finally proved that Skoda’s VW parentage had permeated to every nut, bolt and upholstery stitch.

Skoda talks about the car being more sporty than before (and its increased length and height – 22mm and 47mm respectively – certainly help afford a little more presence) but it’s boxier and less succinct in outline than before, thanks largely to the heavier schnozzle which has been beefed up to satisfy tougher EU pedestrian safety requirements. From the accentuated grille to the C-shape rear lights, the final shape is more masculine, more handsome than pretty. Impressions of a neatly-crafted car are reinforced by the inside story: with such basics as twin and side airbags, air con, ABS with electronic stability control, and even a pollen filter as standard on the entry-level Classic, you can rest assured that the word ‘budget’ will be the last thing on your lips.

Cheaper plastics are banished to untouchable surfaces – the dashboard is a balanced blend of soft-touch materials, and the buttons and control stalks carry an unmistakeable stamp of VW quality. The models tested here also sported leather-clad steering wheels, which wouldn’t be amiss in an Audi A3. Not that Skoda’s forgotten its honest-to-goodness rationale. Practicality here spells itself out in the form of a revised seating position, now 30mm taller than before, a steering wheel that adjusts for both rake and reach, and, on Sport and Elegance options, a height-adjustable driving seat. White detailing against a black background gives the instrumentation a slick finish, while making good logical sense. In the back, there is sufficient legroom for two six-footers to emerge unscathed, while suitcases may be comfier still: boot space now measures 300 cubic litres in all, with the rear seats folded; with them adjusted forward and folded flat, you get 1,163 litres for that spring-clean trip to the car boot sale.

We’re not talking Roomster for room, of course, but you’d be right to expect a little more satisfaction from behind the wheel of Skoda’s more svelte sibling. The engine choices are simple: two 1.4 turbodiesels tweaked to offer 69bhp or 80bhp; plus VW’s trusty 1.9-litre turbodiesel unit, set up here to deliver 105bhp. Your natural inclination in these times of carbon consciousness may be towards the three-cylinder 1.4. If so, I’d counsel the 80bhp option. At 120g/km, this unit is cleaner than its 69bhp alternative (it scores 127g/km), though neither hugely improves on the 1.9-litre’s 129g/km.

What about the more tangible equation of performance versus pennies? It really looks like the 1.9’s conscientious 10.7 seconds to 60mph is the winning factor. Considerably in its wake come the 80bhp 1.4, at 13.1 seconds, and the 69bhp option, at a must-do-better 14.7 seconds. In real-world terms though, the 80bhp 1.4 is far perkier and more practicable than these figures suggest.

Why not drive the comparatively super-smooth 1.2-litre petrol alternative in this new range, and you’ll feel sorely tempted to consider it instead. With such caveats in mind, the 1.9 does begin to look like a more sensible choice, though you might like to compare all three diesels’ official combined fuel figures: the 80bhp diesel is the most frugal, with a combined 61.4mpg; the 69bhp option returning 58.9mpg; and the 1.9-litre a 57.7mpg. There’s very little between the options – and consequently little penalty for choosing the beefiest of the three. On real tarmac, it’s the 1.9 that feels the most confident and capable drive.

None of the new Fabias is going to blow you away in performance terms – all feel stable, compliant and dependable, whether you’re cornering briskly, zipping along a country lane, or overtaking at top motorway speeds. But for all-round maturity and ease, the 1.9 just does it all that little bit better.

Key Features of the Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI Elegance Diesel

Engine: 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Max Power: 105bhp at 4,000rpm
Max Torque: 177 lb ft at 1,800rpm
Combined Consumption: 57.7mpg
CO2 Emissions (taxband): 129 (C)
0-62mph: 10.8 seconds
Max speed: 119mph

Similar Models to the Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI Elegance Diesel

Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 68, Peugöt 207 1.4 HDi 70,Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D T2

Renault Diesel Estates & MPVs - Further Information

If you require any further information or would like some assistance with deciding upon which diesel Estate or MPV would best be suited to you or your business then please contact us at sales@denburydiesels.co.uk