Skoda Fabia long-term test: report 3

The car Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE Comfort Run by Kiall Garrett, senior videographer

Why it’s here To see if this budget-friendly small hatchback can suit the high-mileage and practicality needs of What Car?’s videographer

Needs to be Have acres of space for camera gear and equipment bags, while also being comfortable on long journeys and not too expensive to run

Mileage 1090 List price £18,540 Target Price £17,965 Price as tested £19,540 Official economy 55.8mpg Test economy 53.2mpg

8 December 2022 – Small car, big space

As What Car?’s videographer, I am very experienced when it comes to packing loads of equipment into cars of all shapes and sizes. Of course, if a car has a big boot then my life is as easy as flinging everything in, but even with smaller models like my Skoda Fabia, a session of Tetris-style packing means I'm never forced to leave anything behind. And, thankfully, the Fabia makes this job easy.

This may not be that surprising to those familiar with the Fabia's reputation as a sensible and surprisingly spacious small car. Even so, we must face facts, and a 380-litre boot is not very big in the grand scheme of things. However, said boot is a conveniently boxy shape that's both wide and deep, which is a great help when it comes to packing lots of things into it. 

The Fabia does have quite a large boot lip, but the ‘Simple clever package 2’ option I specified adds a height adjustable floor that makes it slightly easier to heave heavy camera and equipment bags into and out of the back. At £195, it was a no-brainer to add; the extra side compartments it brings to the boot are handy for keeping spare shopping bags in, while the net programme – several fabric netting pockets – has been handy for holding loose bits of equipment to stop them flying around the boot.

The double-sided boot floor – part of the same pack – is also helpful to have. The carpeted side is useful as a grippy surface for loose bags. And, with many of our shooting locations recently having been in the British countryside, the option of the easy-wipe-clean rubber side is a dream to have during this damp and muddy time of year.

The hard parcel shelf also doubles up as a helpful desk I can use to set up my equipment, too – handy when I need to keep in touch with the office. So, for a humble hatchback, the Fabia has proved to be impressively practical so far.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Read more on our long-term Skoda Fabia >>

Read about more long-term test cars >>