Two weeks of heaven

Since its launch in 2000, the Skoda Fabia has proved an unadulterated success with both critics and drivers, accruing more than its fair share of awards and helping to secure the success of the Czech marque. We took two models the 100bhp 1.9-litre TDI estate and the 75bhp 1.4-litre TDI hatch--to find out just what makes these cars so popular.

Regardless of which engine the Fabia is bestowed with, it always appears to be well built, well styled and well specified for a supermini. Both versions we tested were in Comfort trim and featured ABS, driver and front passenger airbag, CD player, electric front windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height adjustment on the driver's seat and steering wheel plus reach adjustment on the latter.

The interior on both versions may have been on the dull side due to vast expanses of black plastic but it was well laid out and so roomy that it could have passed for a C-segment offering--a bonus for those who are downsizing from bigger cars. I found it particularly spacious in the front with plenty of leg and headroom. Even in the rear there was a surprising amount of legroom although headroom was a little lacking and I found the seats hard.

When it comes to boot space, the estate obviously takes the gold. It's one of only a few estate superminis on the market and is particularly suitable for young families looking for a load lugger or drivers looking to downsize. This is helped by a boot offering 426 litres of space with the rear seats up and 1225 with them down. Boot space in the hatch was also generous, especially with the rear seats folded down. This gave a flat loading floor with only a slight lip.

The award for the best performance of the two wasn't so clear cut. With 100bhp and 240Nm of torque, the 1.9 TDI obviously boasted the best figures. Although the engine was surprisingly noisy on start up, it soon tempered down to a more palatable level and proved itself highly refined on the road.

It accelerated strongly after 1500rpm and pulled well in all gears, making for easy overtaking manoeuvres, should they be needed. Geariug itself was quite long and I found I could be comfortably over motorway speed limits before needing fifth.

I remained very impressed by the 1.4 TDI though. This 75bhp engine doesn't claim hot hatch status--that's left to the 130bhp Fabia vRS--but there's no denying that it was fun to drive. It's very sprightly at pulling away from junctions and overtaking, and it could still take on motorways with aplomb, travelling happily up to the legal limit. The only areas where it was slightly taxed at speeds in excess of the limit--where it felt a little more strained but still put in a valiant performance--and steep hills. Like the 1.9 TDI, it made a little noise along the way, with a rather noisy diesel drone on start-up and some wheezing of the turbo. There was also some wind and road noise at speed.

Ride and handling have always been key to the Fabia's success and these models were no different. Though both were quite firm and fidgeted a little over rougher surfaces, they generally felt comfortable and well sprung, as well as being very agile. Steering was nicely reactive though a little too light at higher speeds. Gearchanges were quite firm but very precise.

Driving position was quite high up and was complemented by height adjustment on the seat and reach/rake adjustment on the steering wheel. Rear visibility was somewhat hampered by wide A and C-pillars, quite a narrow rear screen and obstructive rear headrests.

Surprisingly, on paper, there is not much difference in the figures. The 1.4 TDI hatch yields a combined consumption of 61.4mpg and 124g/kin of C[O.sub.2]; the 1.9 TDI estate gives 56.5mpg and 135g/km. Neither are Euro IV compliant so they both sit in the 18% BiK tax bracket for 2004/5. Insurance groups are 4E for the hatch and 6A for the estate.

Once again, I remain impressed by this competent supermini. Two weeks, two different models and yet it seems that Skoda can do no wrong with the Fabia.

DRIVER'S LOG: 1.4 TDI

LIST PRICE (P11D): 10,110 [pounds sterling]

ENGINE: 1422 cc turbocharged diesel

POWER: 75bhp @ 4000rpm

TORQUE: 195Nm @ 2200rpm

C[O.sub.2] RATING: 124g/km (18%)

2004/5 BIK: 1820 [pounds sterling]

INSURANCE GROUP: 4E

OFFICIAL COMBINED: 61.4mpg

AVERAGE MONTHLY RENTAL: 209 [pounds sterling] ex VAT

AVERAGE RESIDUAL VALUE: 3622 [pounds sterling]

DRIVER'S LOG: 1.9 TDI

LIST PRICE (P11D) 11,570 [pounds sterling]

ENGINE: 1896cc turbocharged diesel

POWER: 100bhp @ 4000rpm

TORQUE: 240 Nm @ 1800-2400rpm

C[O.sub.2] RATING: 135g/km (18%)

2004/5 BIK: 2083 [pounds sterling]

INSURANCE GROUP: 6A

OFFICIAL COMBINED: 56.5mpg

AVERAGE MONTHLY RENTAL: 246 [pounds sterling] ex VAT

AVERAGE RESIDUAL VALUE: 4128 [pounds sterling]

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