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Skoda Fabia RS wagon 2013 review

Not quite sure what to make of this car. It offers a startling level of performance in a body that is shall we say visually challenged.

Quick off the mark and fast to accelerate it gives nothing away to the hatch in terms of performance. But it's too tall, too short and and too narrow with all the wrong proportions. But beauty they say is in the eye of the beholder don't let my opinion sway you.

TECHNOLOGY

It's a 1.4-litre turbocharged four, the same engine as in the Polo GTI. That means it produces 132kW of power and a handy 250Nm of torque.

The bad news is that it take 98 Premium unleaded - nothing else. The engine is hooked up to VW's 7-speed double clutch transmission with drive to the front wheels. Rides on sports suspension with 17 inch alloys.

Rated at 6.2 litres/100km, we were getting 8.1 after more than 400km according to the trip computer. But remember that's using Premium 98 which is going to cost you another 17 cents a litre. Even though it's a 45 litre tank, at the time of writing that's $66 for a fill ouch.

DESIGN

The Euro sportwagon concept is nothing new, but we haven't seen anything this small before now. Maybe it's the start of bigger things? The idea is sound but someone must have dropped the play dough before they popped this one in the oven because it's all out of whack.

For two grand more than the hatch you get the same level of performance but a largish luggage space that is going to make it more pratical. It looks like the car it is, a cheapie that has been tarted up. The design is unimaginative and there is plenty of hard plastic in evidence.

Glad to see a trip computer that includes a digital speedo but it disappeared after we connected a mobile phone and took ages to find again. Of course there's a trick to it, just as there is in switching between the AM and FM radio bands. Rear parking sensors are also standard.

It looks like the car it is, a cheapie that has been tarted up.The design is unimaginative and there is plenty of hard plastic in evidence. Glad to see a trip computer that includes a digital speedo but it disappeared after we connected a mobile phone and took ages to find again. 

Of course there's a trick to it, just as there is in switching between the AM and FM radio bands. Rear parking sensors are also standard.

SAFETY

Unlike the Polo this one gets four stars for safety. But it comes with six airbags, electronic stability control and all the usual electronic safety aids.

DRIVING

Goes like a startled rabbit. The dash from 0-100km/h takes 7.3 seconds on to a top speed of 226km/h (2km/h faster than the hatch).

Peformance is no doubt helped along by the 7-speed DSG box which rips through the gears in quick succession, with sport mode or manual mode available via the shifter or steering wheel mounted change paddles. Giving it too much throttle too soon almost always elicits some wheel spin.

VERDICT

Goes hard but looks yuck. We're not fans of the hatch either. At $29,990 it is one of the most expensive cars in the light car segment two grand more than the hatch and one grand more than the Polo GTI.

Pricing guides

$7,480
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$4,290
Highest Price
$10,670

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
77 TSI 1.2L, —, 5 SP MAN $5,940 – 8,360 2013 Skoda Fabia 2013 77 TSI Pricing and Specs
RS 132 TSI 1.4L, —, 7 SP AUTO $7,480 – 10,560 2013 Skoda Fabia 2013 RS 132 TSI Pricing and Specs
RS 132 TSI 1.4L, —, 7 SP AUTO $7,590 – 10,670 2013 Skoda Fabia 2013 RS 132 TSI Pricing and Specs
77 TSI Monte Carlo 1.2L, —, 5 SP MAN $5,830 – 8,250 2013 Skoda Fabia 2013 77 TSI Monte Carlo Pricing and Specs
Chris Riley
Contributing Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$7,590

Lowest price, based on third party pricing data

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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.