Skoda Fabia E

The original Fabia and robust chunkiness to it that we quite liked but the new car has lots all its muscle and has gotten rounder, softer and inexplicably taller. If performance is your thing, then forget the Fabias two 1.2-litre engines and both 1.4-litre diesels too. The 1.4 is only adequately quick so you're looking at the 1.6-litre before you can actually make real progress. The 1.9 TDi is quick-ish but loud. The Fabia's cabin has finally lost that eastern-bloc look and is superbly laid out and arranged. The driving position is excellent, even for tall drivers, and visibility is excellent. Getting in and out is a lot easier, too, thanks to the huge doors. The Fabia offers a lot for the money at all levels, comparing favourably in terms of spec and price with its rivals. Running costs will be low, regardless of engine, and residual values should be on a par with the class average since Skoda's image is so strong these days. As you'd expect, four airbags, electric front windows, remote locks, power steering, a CD player and steel wheels adorn the €14k base model but you need to be spending around €18,000 to get air conditioning and alloy wheels. For more information log onto www.cbg.ie

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