Skoda Fabia Estate SE Plus 1.2 TSI 105ps DSG 5dr Car Review - March 2012

A three cylinder engine delivers a healthy power output of 104 bhp (105 ps) at 5000 rpm with torque figures of 129 lb-ft at 1500-4100 rpm. This gives the car a decent top speed of 118 mph and acceleration is adequate taking 10.3 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph.

The engine’s efficiency isn’t bad considering its size and class and is capable of achieving 53.3 mpg on a combined cycle. Carbon emissions are not as low as those in the Greenline model but are still at the lower end of the scale, emitting just 124 g/km, putting the car into road tax band D.

In terms of handling, the steering of the car is firm and controlled, but unfortunately the car’s height means that there is a lot of body roll experienced during corners and bends.

The Fabia looks a little clumsy from the outside, due to the large front end, making it a slightly unattractive car. In the interior though, the car comes with a decent selection of basic equipment as standard, although some luxuries are either unavailable on this model or incur additional costs.

Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system with both CD and MP3 connectivity.

For an extra £335 Bluetooth connectivity can be added whilst rear parking sensors and a metallic paint finish are priced at £280 and £440 respectively. A built-in sat nav can be added for £525 with a part leather interior available for an additional £600. Cruise control is another additional feature, costing £175.

Reliability is good, with the build being of great quality. The fit and finish of internal instruments is high qaulity and the materials feel solid to touch without looking cheap.

The Fabia is a practical family car and offers plenty of cabin space for passengers due to the long shape of the car. There is also plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel and seats to allow drivers and passengers find the most comfortable position.

The boot capacity of the car is fairly reasonable for a family car and there is 505 litres of space on offer when all of the seats are in place. With the rear seats down, the boot space expands to an impressive 1,485 litres, which makes it ideal family car material.

In terms of safety, the car comes with driver, passenger and front side air bags all fitted as standard. To protect the car from theft there is an immobiliser fitted as standard alongside an alarm.

Priced at £14,785 this car is reasonable considering the efficiency which is offered. The fuel consumption of 53.1 mpg means that refuelling should be inexpensive, offering big financial savings for customers. On top of this, carbon emissions are reasonable at 124 g/km, putting road tax costs at a manageable rate in road tax band D.

There is also a good range of internal equipment and strong resale values for the car, making this car a wise investment. For those who want a combination of performance and efficiency, this model is the perfect compromise. However, money-conscious motorists are more likely to invest in the Fabia Estate Greeline II 1.2 TDI CR 75ps which offers better economic value.