Skoda Fabia (07 - 14) review

There are few cars small cars that offer as much space as the Skoda Fabia; it can seat four adults in comfort and five at a push, with rear head and leg room particularly generous.

It also has a large, square boot that will easily swallow a pushchair or a large suitcase. Meanwhile, a couple of hooks and storage compartments add to the practicality.

The rear seats will fold flat to offer even more space, although you do have to flip the bases up first and there’s a slight lip between the folded seats and the boot floor.

Instead, it’s the interior finish that lets the side down. While everything feels very solid, the dashboard is a sea of hard, grey plastic; many rivals feel classier.

The Fabia is an easy car to drive, with light controls and suspension that will smooth over all but the worst road surfaces. And yet the Fabia grips well in corners and doesn’t suffer from much body roll.

Just don’t go thinking that the Fabia will be as fun as a Ford Fiesta, because it’s slower to respond to you turning the steering wheel and you get little feedback.