First drive: Skoda Fabia Estate

03 December 2007

Fabia Estate costs from around £9360
Three diesels and three petrols on offer
On sale in February

More Information

More pictures

Latest News

James T Kirk reckons it's the final frontier. Closer to home, Skoda considers 'space' to be its unique selling point, and who would argue?

Take the latest Fabia Estate. The previous version was already a pretty capacious little wagon, but the new one has grown in all directions.

Despite being just 7mm longer than the old model, it has gained 235 litres in luggage capacity.

Given the neat profile, it's difficult to fathom exactly where all the extra space has come from.

However, a more in-depth inspection reveals a significant increase in height, so unless you're packing it to the ceiling, the gains are more modest.

It's the rear passengers who benefit most, with 42mm more headroom than before.

Well packaged interior
The cabin is attractively packaged. There's a particularly wide range of steering wheel and seat-height adjustments for the driver, while solid plastics give it all a robust feel.

Three trim levels are available and named, unimaginatively, 1, 2 and 3. Base cars come with electric windows, central locking, driver and passenger front and side airbags, and the all-important split/fold rear seats.

However, you'll need to go for 2 to gain air-conditioning and 3 to add curtain airbags.

Three diesels and three petrols on offer
Even though it's rather coarse and has a narrow power band by modern diesel standards, the venerable 103bhp 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine is set to remain the best seller.

That's surprising, since the 1.4-litre three-cylinder diesel looks a better bet.

Sure, its distinctive three-cylinder thrum is an acquired taste, but if you go for the 79bhp version - the same engine is also available with 68bhp - there's plenty of punch, a saving of £680 compared with the 1.9-litre and the promise of 61.4mpg instead of 57.6mpg.

There are also a couple of 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines that power entry-level models, but they aren't much more refined than the diesel engines.

The more willing 84bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is faster and a good deal smoother, while a 103bhp 1.6-litre is available with an optional automatic gearbox.

Stable and responsive
Regardless of the choice of engine, the Fabia boasts responsive handling and excellent high-speed stability.

It's not the quietest small estate on the motorway, and the suspension is a tad firm to help cope with heavier loads, but the controls are well weighted and there's an overall precision to the way it drives.

Prices
Prices are between £760-£1370 more expensive than the hatchback. Full price details are given below:

Fabia Estate 1 (1.2 70bhp) £9360
Fabia Estate 1 (1.4 TDi PD 70bhp) £10,470
Fabia Estate 1 (1.4 TDi PD 80bhp) £10,825

Fabia Estate 2 (1.2 70bhp) £10,470
Fabia Estate 2 (1.4 85bhp) £11,045
Fabia Estate 2 (1.6 105bhp) £11,625
Fabia Estate 2 (1.4 TDi PD 80bhp) £11,935
Fabia Estate 2 (1.6 105bhp Tiptronic) £12,300
Fabia Estate 2 (1.9 TDi PD 105bhp) £12,615

Fabia Estate 3 (1.4 85bhp) £12,205
Fabia Estate 3 (1.6 105bhp) £12,785
Fabia Estate 3 (1.4 TDi PD 80bhp) £13,095
Fabia Estate 3 (1.6 105bhp Tiptronic) £13,460
Fabia Estate 3 (1.9 TDi PD 105bhp) £13,775