Performance ****
All the petrol engines will do when travelling with a light load, but you'll need the 100bhp 1.4 16v for high-speed work on heavy hauling. Likewise, they perform well on the motorway and scoot around town without effort. Diesel fans should ignore the sluggish 64bhp motor and go for the TDi. The hatch's 2.0 engine is not available.
Ride & handling ****
As with the supermini, the Fabia estate strikes a good blend of precise handling, a pliant ride that soaks up most road scars and excellent body control on undulating roads - even when fully loaded. Steering response isn't quite as precise as in some rivals though.
Refinement *****
One of the Fabia's greatest tricks is to convince you that you're piloting a car several classes up. No other supermini isolates you from external influences so effectively, or is such a relaxing motorway companion. The only bugbear is that all petrol engines sound harsh and strained when you extend them and the turbodiesels rattle a bit on start-up.

Buying & owning *****
Another of the Fabia's ace cards. The Skoda holds on to almost half of its original price over three years. Add to that impressive fuel economy and low servicing costs and insurance groups and it is one of the cheapest small cars to run.
Quality & reliability ****
Some owners have experienced some minor trim rattles and problems with Skoda's stereo system, but the Fabia is sound mechanically. Fixtures and fittings are of high quality too. All the switchgear operates with a solid, expensive feel.
Safety & security ****
All Fabias have driver and passenger airbags and anti-lock brakes as standard from May 2002. Side airbags aren't even offered as options, though. Not all models have deadlocks, but even with them, we managed to break in in just over 30 seconds.

Behind the wheel ****
The Fabia's fascia design is not quite as classy as some of its rivals' and its vast expanses of plastic can seem austere. The controls all work well, however, and it's the model of good ergonomics. Driver's seat adjustment is superb and the wheel moves both ways and an easy-to-use ratchet raises your perch.
Space & practicality ****
Skoda has done a good job of transforming a supermini into an estate. It offers more than double the luggage space of the donor car and leaves a handy, uncluttered load bay with the flexibility of a split-fold seat. Passenger space remains the same: it can swallow four adults with ease.
Equipment ***
At the bottom of the range you get no deadlocks, central locking or electric windows, although two airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard. Only at the top of the line-up is air-con standard, alongside remote locking, alloy wheels and all-round electric windows.