2. Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia (2007 onwards model)

• What: Skoda Fabia
• Where: Faro, Portugal
• Date: Feb 2007
• Price: from £7,500 (estimated)
• Available: May 17 2007
• Key rivals: Fiat Grande Punto, Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Vauxhall Corsa, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 207, Citroen C3, Seat Ibiza

Summary

Skoda’s big-selling Fabia enters 2007 with a major overhaul. New looks, revised engines and a smart interior increase its appeal even further. Expect prices to rise slightly as a result, but it will still be a good-value proposition compared to rivals.

• Likes: smart new look, neat interior, peppy three-cylinder engines
• Dislikes: noisy diesels, flat seats, firm ride in bigger engine variants

Less is more, much more

Up above there is a list of key rivals to this new Fabia, but you might notice the Volkswagen Polo is missing. Why, particularly as the Fabia famously shares its underpinnings with its VW cousin? Well, the Fabia is likely to appeal to a completely different customer. The Polo sells on its badge alone, and while that is perhaps partially true of the Skoda, the brand values could not be more different. Forget the Polo then, particularly as this latest Fabia makes it look and feel old and tired, that being one reason it is not on the list above – oh, and the VW is also significantly more expensive.