skoda-fabia-long-term-test

The car Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE Comfort Run by Kiall Garrett, senior videographerWhy it’s here To see if this budget-friendly small hatchback can suit the high-mileage and practicality needs of What Car?’s videographerNeeds 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<hr />Mileage 2728 List price £17,990 Target Price £17,433 Price as tested £19,540 Official economy 55.8mpg Test economy 53.2mpg Dealer value now £14,961 Private value now £13,299 Running costs (excluding depreciation) Fuel £508.11<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">13 February 2023 – Cheap thrills</h3>When I took delivery of my <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>, everyone was talking about the rising cost of living, so a small, 1.0-litre hatchback seemed like a pretty smart choice.Now, as I prepare to hand back the keys, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/cost-of-living-car-advice">cost of living</a> is still rising, and I’m happy to report that the Fabia has indeed been a frugal companion. Better still, it’s been practical enough for my needs – and surprisingly fun.

It made a good impression from my first drive in it. You might think that, with just 94bhp, the petrol engine would lack punch or excitement, but I really enjoyed the driving experience, starting with the manual gearbox I chose to go with it (as a bonus, this is usefully cheaper than the automatic).It gave the Fabia a dynamism I hadn’t expected – you could even say it made me feel more ‘at one’ with my car. Whether I was taking it casually along 20mph urban streets or going for quick, slick gear changes on more involving country roads, the Fabia delivered enough of a dose of sportiness to put a smile on my face.Up to 30mph, it felt quick, with the pace to make up time with a few traffic-light sprints and overtakes if I was running late.True, beyond the urban limit, acceleration eased off noticeably, but not enough to bother me. After all, the Fabia doesn’t aspire to be a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hot-hatches/n17005">hot hatch</a> – and my main requirements are long-distance comfort and space for all my camera equipment.

I am constantly carrying cases and bags of video gear with me. And although the Fabia’s 380-litre boot is on the small side compared with other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/long-term-tests">long term test cars</a> I’ve had, it manages the space very well.I chose an optional extra called the Simply Clever Package 1. That gave me some helpful features to make loading up my video equipment easier, including a double-sided boot floor mat and storage nets that I could stuff some of my kit in to stop it rolling around.On the minus side, the Fabia is short on space in the back seats, which are best suited to pre-teen children. Head room is fine, but my adult passengers struggled to get comfy because of the lack of leg room, even on short journeys. Fortunately, it’s rare I need to give more than one person a lift, but it’s worth bearing in mind if the Fabia is on your <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> shortlist.Lack of back-seat spaciousness aside, I really enjoyed the Fabia’s interior. For a start, the standard <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/skoda">Skoda</a> two-spoke leather steering wheel feels solid and pleasant to hold, with proper switches instead of touch-sensitive pads. I was also happy with the (cheaper) analogue driver display, and never felt I was missing out by not having a digital one packed with configurable data. Sometimes simple is best.

The infotainment system in my car was the entry-level 6.5in screen with wired <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>. I found the screen responsive enough, but its size meant I didn’t use it that much. I think the larger 9.2in screen option might have made life easier, especially when using the sat-nav to find unfamiliar shooting locations. Still, going for the smaller one did save £2535, which is, as they say, not nothing.My time with the Fabia has been very enjoyable, then, and it ticked all the boxes for practicality and comfort. With precious few negatives, it’s definitely a model to consider if you’re looking for a frugal small car for commuting and trips to the shops. That said, it will be too small for many families, especially if they have older children.The biggest standout has been how fun and comfortable it is to drive with a manual gearbox. As an auto becomes the only option on more and more new car models, flicking through the gears feels like an old-school treat.Farewell, then Fabia - you’ve been Fab...For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-5/n25513">Read more on our long-term Skoda Fabia &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/long-term-tests">Read about more long-term test cars &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Hatchback

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

FABIA

Skoda Fabia long-term test

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-5

The car Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE Comfort Run by Kiall Garrett, senior videographerWhy it’s here To see if this budget-friendly small hatchback can suit the high-mileage and practicality needs of What Car?’s videographerNeeds 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<hr />Mileage 1105 List price £17,990 Target Price £17,433 Price as tested £19,540 Official economy 55.8mpg Test economy 53.2mpg<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">25 January 2023 – Family size?</h3>Recently, I've found myself as the designated driver in my <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>, ferrying slightly tipsy family members to and from various houses after a round of parties.This was my first full experience of transporting a Fabia full of people (and dogs) instead of camera equipment.

Was it up to the task? Well you will not be surprised to hear that it is not a limousine. But while the full-size adults I carried around couldn’t exactly stretch out and luxuriate like they could in some larger cars, they had little to complain about.Plus, sliding my 6ft 2in frame into the back, I sampled first-hand the Fabia's surprisingly roomy rear seats. True, my long legs are pressed up against the seat in front of me, but it’s not bad for most journeys, and I have some headroom to spare.

Given this is a small car whose rivals include the big-selling <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83/on-the-road">Volkswagen Polo</a>, most Fabia buyers likely won't be buying one in the hopes of filling it up to the gunwales at every opportunity. But it’s good to know that for the occasional people-carrying duty, it is well up to the task.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-3/n25452">Read more on our long-term Skoda Fabia &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/long-term-tests">Read about more long-term test cars &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Skoda Fabia long-term test: report 5

skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-4

The car Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE Comfort Run by Kiall Garrett, senior videographerWhy it’s here To see if this budget-friendly small hatchback can suit the high-mileage and practicality needs of What Car?’s videographerNeeds 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<hr />Mileage 760 List price £17,990 Target Price £17,433 Price as tested £19,540 Official economy 55.8mpg Test economy 53.2mpg<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">6 January 2023 – It's cold outside</h3>Covering many miles over the Christmas break didn't sway my opinions on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>'s ride, which I’m continually impressed by. For a small hatchback that sits relatively close to the ground, it really does soak up impacts from speed bumps and broken bits of road impressively. The manual gearbox is a delight to use, too. It feels like most new test cars we get delivered to What Car? HQ are automatic these days, which makes the time spent in a manual feel even more special, and, I felt, gave me a better feeling of connection to the car. Driving what is a fairly regular hatchback like this just feels more alive and exciting when it has a stick and three pedals. The only drawback concerns UK traffic. With most of my journeys starting with an inner city battle to an inevitably stationary M25 motorway, I do still see the appeal that an easy automatic gearbox can offer.

And fuel economy? While I haven’t achieved the Skoda Fabia's official figure of 55.7mpg, the 47.1mpg I have managed so far is still pretty good. I’m happy with around 400 miles from the 40-litre tank; it means I don’t have to spend too much time and money at petrol stations. And with every quick pitstop I’m reminded how joyfully simple the process is compared to the regular headache of charging up my previous car; the electric<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg5/estate/review/n22011"> MG 5</a>.So, yes even though the Fabia was a bit chilly throughout the cold snap, it remains a pleasure to drive and a great example of cheap motoring done well.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-3/n25328">Read more on our long-term Skoda Fabia &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/long-term-tests">Read about more long-term test cars &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Skoda Fabia long-term test: report 4

skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-3

The car Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE Comfort Run by Kiall Garrett, senior videographerWhy it’s here To see if this budget-friendly small hatchback can suit the high-mileage and practicality needs of What Car?’s videographerNeeds 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<hr />Mileage 1090 List price £18,540 Target Price £17,965 Price as tested £19,540 Official economy 55.8mpg Test economy 53.2mpg<hr /><h3 dir="ltr">8 December 2022 – Small car, big space</h3>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 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/review/n47">Skoda Fabia</a>, 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 <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/skoda-fabia-long-term-test-report-2/n25272">Read more on our long-term Skoda Fabia &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/long-term-tests">Read about more long-term test cars &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Skoda Fabia long-term test: report 3

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