FirstDrive/Skoda Fabia: The requirements one in five of drivers have of supermini cars (for that is the number of us who buy them) are pretty straightforward. Five doors, a petrol engine, value for money, economy, reliability, space, looks and ease of driving would appear to sum up our main considerations when opting for one of the large number of cars in this very keenly contested category.
And there are many to chose from - the Ford Fiesta, the Toyota Yaris, the Opel Corsa , the VW Polo and the Nissan Micra are just some of the big names competing with each other.
The Skoda Fabia is another contender, but is not so widely appreciated as the others. Perhaps it is because the Fabia has been quietly ageing for the past few years, while the others have been refreshed or, in the case of the Corsa, replaced altogether.
There is also the image issue, with some people still labouring under the mistaken belief that the Skoda name is not quite up there in terms of quality.
They could not be more wrong. The Skoda brand has had to swim against the tide here and in other countries, but has now become one of the top 10 selling marques in Ireland simply because of the overall quality of its products. Ask any Octavia-owning taxi driver ( I have asked several) and they are more than generous in their praise.
The Fabia has its fans, and is likely to have considerably more after the launch of the new version of the car, which has just gone on sale.
It is quite smart looking, with similar styling to the Suzuki Swift (which probably has the best looks in the class), has a roomy interior that is not let down by drab plastic, has a good choice of engines, drives very well indeed and represents really good value for money.
The basic Classic model with a 1.2 petrol engine starts at €14,250, excluding delivery extras. A comparable Yaris will cost you about €15,790 and a comparable Corsa will cost €16,995.
The Corsa and the Swift may have the looks, the Yaris the reputation for great reliability and the Fiesta the reassurance of a big brand name, but the Fabia is without doubt a very impressive package overall. It is an ideal city car, practical and easy to drive, and the 1.2 petrol version, which will be the volume seller, is nippy without being exciting, quiet and responsive. Steering is light without being overly so, and ride and handling proved to be assured during a brief first drive.
As well as having the sharp lines like the Swift, the Fabia has also drawn looks from the new Skoda Roomster, especially around the front, and the overall styling is modern and crisp.
The new car is bigger in all respects, except width. It is some 22mm longer than the car it replaces, and gives driver and passengers a really good feeling of space. Even the width is not a problem as you still won't find yourself pressed up against your passenger. The boot is a very good size, and the car has a very impressive storage capacity with the rear seats folded down.
The car comes in Classic, Ambiente, Sport and Elegance versions.
The basic version features driver, passenger and front side airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seat fittings, remote locking and an immobiliser, among other items. The next one up, the Ambiente, features electric windows and mirrors, onboard computer, and various other items and is likely to be the main seller.
The basic 1.2 engine has a 60 horse power capacity but there is also a 70hp option, costing €14,750, but the 60 is pretty much all one needs. The 1.4 petrol, with 85bhp, costs €15,150 and there is also a 1.6 petrol - 105hp - at €19,475. There are also three diesel options - a 1.4 TDi with 70 or 80hp respectively and costing €20,475 and €21,275 respectively. The 1.9 TDi option with 105hp seems a tad excessive for a Fabia body, but is on offer for € 23,175.
The Fabia is likely to prove an attractive package and its price gives it an edge over the competition. However, it is its looks and solid feel that are likely to convince the doubters who might feel price alone is not enough to convert to an emerging name.
Factfile: Skoda Fabia
ENGINES:1.2 petrol (60 and 70 bhp), 1.4 petrol (85bhp), 1.6 petrol (105bhp) 1.4 diesel with 70 or 80bhp choices and a 1.9 turbo diesel producing 105bhp
STANDARD EQUIPMENT:Includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes, tinted windows, radio with CD and MP3/iPod compatability and remote locking and immobiliser
PRICES:Starting at €14,250, rising to €23,175