Skoda Fabia: a supermini refreshed - On the road

The way the old Fabia drove was never its problem, and Skoda hasn't really changed very much under the skin.

Although the car's platform will form the basis of all VW Group's next superminis, the chassis is actually a strengthened and re-engineered version of the old platform. That means that while the new Fabia's crash test results should improve, the overall driving experience feels quite similar.

Bends are tackled with plenty of grip and minimal body lean, but the Fabia doesn't feel quite as sharp as some rivals on back roads. The effect is amplified by slightly dull steering and a sloppy gearshift.

The ride, however, feels impressively fluid. Our very brief drive took place on high-quality Portuguese roads, so the verdict can't be conclusive. However, the few potholes we encountered on fast routes were glossed over with ease, and the low speed ride also felt pretty compliant.

Refinement is excellent, too. Wind and road noise can just about be heard at speed, but noise levels are very well contained. The 80bhp 1.4-litre diesel engine in our test car sounded a bit rattly, though.