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Skoda Fabia 77TSI 2011 Review

Skoda Fabia 77TSI
EXPERT RATING
7

When it comes to liking Volkswagen's Polo TSI, Carsguide takes a backseat to no-one. That's not just because most of us are quite tall and the Polo isn't, but because it's our reigning Car of The Year.

If you've $20K to drop on a light car, let it fall here, we say. But what of Skoda's Fabia? This is a slightly cheaper, arguably groovier Polo that (unlike the South Africa assembled VW) is built, if not in Germany, then in a country bordering the Federal Republic.

VALUE

The new entrant of the Czech make kicks off at $18,990 for the entry level TSI with five speed manual and standard kit including 15-in steel wheels, fog lights, Bluetooth and cruise. Another $3K gets Monte Carlo spec with cool black accents, contrasting roof colours, 16-inch alloys, bling trim and fully sick stitching.

Once you flirt with the options list, you're probably better off having done with it and going the full Monte. Although it's a markedly bigger car within, going upper spec makes it almost two grand dearer than the Polo TSI manual. VW's entry level Golf with the same engine is but $1K more.

Add the usual impost of some $2500 for automated manual DSG when it arrives in about March along with the broader Fabia range (including wagon and rapid RS variants), and you appreciate the Fabia is in a tough spot.

And though new here, there's also the little matter of this second generation Fabia being four years old and due for replacement in another three.

TECHNOLOGY

The direct injection turbo petrol four is a diminutive but brilliantly effective 1.2 litres -- and is also carried by the Polo COTY. With five speeds, the Fabia's manual is one cog shy of contemporary, but this mill pulls instantly and firmly in high gears at low speeds.

DESIGN

You can sweep past a Polo, as we did on our first drive, and barely notice it. Even in its few sobre shades, no-one's going to say that about the Fabia. This Skoda embodies the Czech's design ingenuity, that reverse Tardis thing of filling a compact shape with exceptional occupant and luggage space.

There's some 315 litres of the latter — exceptional for this class — and headroom greater than that of most cars in the next segment up. If the interior plastics are more obviously budget than the equivalent VW, nothing else approaches the Fabia for unity of utility and darn cuteness.

SAFETY

Despite the full array of active safety measures and six airbags Euro NCAP lists this as a four star crasher  one short of the maximum figure achieved by a growing number of rivals. Exceptionally, however, brakes are discs at both ends and its spare tyre is full-size.

DRIVING

Let's say it's to the fore of its class, exceeded only by guess what ... Shoved through a series of tightening uphill bends rated as low as 15km/h, the bigger tyred Monte Carlo sits flat and holds its line with the minimum of front-drive push as it hits the 6100rpm cut out, fine feedback coming from the direct rack and pinion electro mechanical steering. This is a neutral and capable handler that's tolerably fun if not quite engaging.

On the freeway it cruises with such refinement that the wind around the mirrors seems unnaturally loud. There's almost always enough in reserve to plunge through that gap in the traffic, if not to overhaul that second car before the dotted lines expire.

In, short the Fabia is immensely capable in Monte Carlo guise, barely less so as a plain TSI. Sadly, few will consider it in current form, the labour of having to swap gears for themselves too much for soft cog Australians. Pity, as this is a buttery, sweet shifting example whose tall gearing is masked by the ever present torque.

VERDICT

In isolation there could be little argument, but the letter's "V" and "W" loom too large over the small but tall Skoda. We'll revisit when the rest of the range gets here.

SKODA FABIA 77TSI

Price: from $18,990
Warranty: 3 year/unlimited
Resale: N/A
Service interval: 15,000km/12 months
Safety: 4 star Euro NCAP
Engine: 1.2-litre 4-cyl turbo pertrol; 77kW/177Nm.
Body: 5-door, 5 stars
Weight: 1120kg
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Thirst: 5.5L/100km; 128g/km Co2

Pricing guides

$5,720
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$4,070
Highest Price
$7,370

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
77 TSI 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $4,070 – 5,940 2011 Skoda Fabia 2011 77 TSI Pricing and Specs
77 TSI Monte Carlo 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $5,060 – 7,370 2011 Skoda Fabia 2011 77 TSI Monte Carlo Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
7
Paul Pottinger
Contributing Journalist

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.