2011 Skoda Fabia Reviews

David Scott has done 25,000 trouble free kilometres in his 2012 Fabia 77TSI manual. He rates it the small car bargain of the year and praises its fuel economy, torque, roominess and boot space.Stephen Spinks says his Fabia RS goes well and handles quite good. He's not keen on the way it rolls backwards after a period stopped on a hill as if the hill-hold releases, but the dealer has told him that there is nothing wrong with the gearbox. He also says it uses a little oil.Hugh Rees is enthusiastic about his 2011 Fabia manual, which he says is fun to drive. He says the 1.2-litre engine is really good to drive once the turbo kicks in, the road holding is good, and interior is comfortable and roomy for its size. He gets 5.8L/100 km on average. His only complaint is of a dash rattle.NEWWhen Skoda returned to our market after a long absence it did so as part of the extended Volkswagen family.The company's cars were based on VW models, but carried less challenging price tags than the models they were based upon. The Fabia, for instance, was substantially cheaper than the VW Polo on from which it was derived.It arrived here in 2011 with the 77TSI hatch, which was joined a year later by the hot RS. At the same time the choice of body styles was expanded to include a wagon.While it's based on the Polo it's not obvious from the outside with its pleasantly chiselled lines and bright highlights that set it apart from its corporate cousin.The cabin is functional with comfortable accommodation for four adults. All have adequate head and legroom given the size of the Fabia, and there's a decent amount of boot space.Power for the 77TSI came from a diminutive 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine boosted by a turbocharger. Despite its size it packed plenty of traffic-busting punch, pulling enthusiastically from low revs, while at the same delivering impressive fuel economy. The downside was that it had a thirst for Premium unleaded.At launch there was only a five-speed manual gearbox available, but the options were expanded in 2012 to include VW's seven-speed DSG automatic. The RS hot hatch shared its underpinnings with the Polo GTi.That meant it was powered by the same 1.4-litre 'Twincharger' engine as the VW hottie with its combination of turbocharger and supercharger.With 132kW and 250Nm on tap the RS's performance was sizzling, the combination of supercharger for low-end grunt and turbocharger for punch at higher revs ensuring there was a strong urge all the way through the speed range.VW's seven-speed DSG self-shifting auto-manual gearbox complemented the Twincharger engine in making the most of its torque.On the road the Fabia felt planted and responsive, it was go-kart-like with direct steering and vice-like grip.Standard equipment included air-conditioning, cruise, Bluetooth, eight-speaker sound, MP3, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.NOWBeing based on the VW Polo and sharing its mechanical package the Fabia suffers from the same issues as the little VW.There's the well-documented 'false neutral' issues of the seven-speed DSG gearbox, which was the subject of a voluntary recall by VW.Check any car fitted with the DSG gearbox to make sure a dealer has inspected it for proper function.Oil consumption can be an issue with the 1.4-litre Twincharger engine, particularly in the early stages of life when the engine is running in. In some cases an engine will settle down once it has a few kilometres on it, others take much longer. It's not unusual for the engine to continue to use some oil, as long as it isn't too much it shouldn't be a problem, but if you are concerned about it have a dealer conduct an oil consumption test for you and actually measure it.We know of cases of quite high consumption that have lasted for several thousand kilometres before settling down to an amount that VW considered 'normal'. Ask about the previous owner's experience with oil consumption, it's perhaps best not to take on an oil-burner.With the engine's reputation for consuming oil it's important to check the oil level regularly to ensure it doesn't run short and damage the engine.The 1.2-litre engine doesn't suffer the same issues as the Twincharger.Skoda's build quality is generally of a good standard, so squeaks, creaks and rattles are not normally a problem. Take notice of any you hear, they might indicate a car has been in a crash.Ask to check the service record of your chosen car before handing over your cash, maintenance is vitally important to a long trouble-free motoring life.SMITHY SAYS - 3.5 starsSound and solid, but struggles to match the competition for value.AT A GLANCESPECS:Price new: $18,990 to $21,990Engine: 1.2-litre, turbocharged 4-cylinder, 77kW/175Nm; 1.4-litre turbocharged & supercharged 4-cylinder, 132kW/250NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 7-speed DSG automatic, FWDEconomy: 5.5L/100 km (1.2), 6.2L/100km (1.4TSCI)Body: 5-door hatch, 5-door wagonVariants: 77TSI, RSSafety: Six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist. 

The Fabia's looks were a little more challenging than the Polo's, which was an attractive little car.

Volkswagen's aspirations for world domination include the funny little Skoda Fabia 77TSi which, in Australia at least, will be used to take on the Koreans and match them on price, performance, features and quality. Fabia, slightly bigger than VW Polo, has been around for yonks in Europe, lobbing in current guise back in 2007. It's been a long time coming here but the wait was worth it.This tiddler-size five-door Czech hatch offers something many competitors don't have - character. Some are plasticky white goods with a sterile feel and bland styling, none of which applies to the Fabia.Though not a pretty or handsome car, Fabia is distinctive and practical with an earnest look to its "`face" and plucky performance from its tiny engine that also delivers excellent fuel economy rated at 5.5-litres/100km.And the engineers have done their homework on its dynamics giving Fabia a good all-round ride and handling perfectly suited to everyday driving on our crappy roads.VALUEPitched at $18,990, Fabia is not the cheapest on the block but offers up plenty of goodies for the ask including Bluetooth phone, a/c, cruise, multi-function wheel, full-size spare, six air bags, stability control and trip computer.There's an optional Monte Carlo pack for an extra $3000 that brings a blacked out sporty look to body hardware, alloys, sporty interior treatment and contrast roof colour among other goodies. A six-speed DSG dual clutch manumatic will be available next year for an additional $2300.The pricing schedule is beaten by some competitors in this size car but equipment levels and performance sweeten up the deal. And it's "European."TECHNOLOGYPower comes from a 1.2-litre, direct injection, turbo four delivering 77kW/175Nm output. It passes EU5 emissions regulations on a diet of 95 octane fuel delivered from a 45 litre tank. Theoretical touring range is 800km.Fabia's underpinnings are pretty simple and come directly from the VW parts inventory - Macstrut front, beam axle rear, four wheel discs, five-speed manual gearbox. Fabia has the smallest capacity engine against its direct competitors but the most torque (by a longshot). It uses the least amount of fuel and has the largest luggage capacity.DESIGNStyled along family Skoda lines, the boxy little Fabia looks distinctive from the front, generic from the rear. The look is enhanced with a contrast colour roof and the Monte Carlo pack ratchets appearance up a few notches more.It's a fairly standard hatchback design with five seats, 60/40 folding rear seats and a large load space. The interior is quite spacious and well laid out offering a soft-feel dash and other soft touch areas. The multi-function wheel is great as is media connection box.SAFETYIt got a four star Euro rating back in 2007, not tested since. Has six air bags, stability control and rigid chassis design.THE DRIVEPretty good really. The engine is sweet once you get into the torque band over 1500rpm and sings sweetly up to redline but it's no fire cracker and it doesn't need to be - that's the province of the 132kW RS model coming next year. We were impressed by the Fabia's controlled and comfortable ride, the smooth manual shift and quality feel of the car - especially compared to some of its competitors.You can whizz along the freeway at the speed limit and the Fabia simply lopes along using minimal fuel. It's fairly simple mechanicals should mean low running costs and the condensed Skoda styling gives Fabia a point of difference in the segment.SKODA FABIA 77TSIPrice: from $18,990Warranty: 3 year/unlimitedResale: N/AService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 4 star Euro NCAPEngine: 1.2-litre 4-cyl turbo pertrol; 77kW/177Nm.Body: 5-door, 5 starsWeight: 1120kgTransmission: 6-speed manualThirst: 5.5L/100km; 128g/km Co2

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.VALUEThe 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.TECHNOLOGYThe 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.DESIGNYou 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.SAFETYDespite 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.DRIVINGLet'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.VERDICTIn 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 77TSIPrice: from $18,990Warranty: 3 year/unlimitedResale: N/AService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 4 star Euro NCAPEngine: 1.2-litre 4-cyl turbo pertrol; 77kW/177Nm.Body: 5-door, 5 starsWeight: 1120kgTransmission: 6-speed manualThirst: 5.5L/100km; 128g/km Co2