2005 Skoda Fabia vRS review from UK and Ireland

Nothing yet.

(had a couple of very minor niggles when I first obtained the car, but the Dealer was fantastic and sorted them very quickly)

First things first, this car is not a Chavmobile, any speedkiddies who want to play numbers games can go away and read a review on the latest LED's to stick in your washerjets...

Still here? Good.

The car's specs won't set the world alight from a standing start (particularly if you have aspirations of being a getaway driver) however if your already moving and are stuck behind a slow moving object (lorry, tractor, granny etc) when you get to overtake you have stupid amounts of power to get you past the obstruction quickly and safely.

The midrange is incredible, easily faster then my previous A4, and most other cars I have driven.

You won't break any speed records as the top end isn't **that** high, but it will still go double the UK road speed limit so it's an irrelevance and does get there pretty sharpish (I haven’t maxed it out so I can't comment on exactly HOW fast it will go)

The handling is very accurate while not the sportiest drive ever it never feels like a battle to get the car to go where you want it, if has a lot fatter tires (the same width as the Audi)

The upgraded breaks on the VRs do the job perfectly, while I haven’t had the need to stomp on them (yet) they do feel like they could stop the car in a major hurry.

Economy is incredible, the money I am **saving** from going from a petrol Audi to the fabia is nearly paying for the car itself! I'm getting an overall of 53mpg and can get up to 62 on the drive from work if rein in the urge to overtake everything that gets in my way. (It does drop to high 40's when I am driving to work on nightshift 8) )

The dashboard is basic, but well put together, it's study, not tacky tat and while doesn't have all the bells and whistles does have everything you need, everything can be easily read in all light conditions with all the controls very well laid out and easy to use.

The seats are comfy and while it doesn't look like there is ANY leg room in the back the car does fit 4 adults without major problems (even with the driver’s seat right back)

The boot is not the biggest in the world, but does take a deceptively large volume.

There are a few pretty random creature comforts such as an air-conditioned glove box with divider, an air-conditioned cubbyhole on the drivers side (which I haven’t found a use for at all!) and a the bottom of the passengers seat opens into another storage box.

While it's not a massive car every inch has been put to good use (there's even little carry pouches in the SIDES of the seats as well as the backs)

The tax is only £115 a year (a LOT less than the Audi) ; insurance is a group 9 so it doesn't break the bank there either.

The net result is a jack of all trades, but a master of none; the car is one comprise after another, however they are compromises that work in a combination so well I can't see how it could be improved on.

The dealer has been fantastic, the car is fantastic, it carries a great warranty and the bodywork has a full antirust warranty for something like 13 years (I can't remember exactly, but it's more than 10)

The only thing I would like to see for when I do change it (probably for another one) is a little more soundproofing, the 205mm tires do make a lot of noise when you go +75mph or if you are on rough roads.