2006 Skoda Fabia vRS review from UK and Ireland

Only niggle is an odd jerk at around 2,000 rpm on light throttle on the flat, nothing that can be reproduced by the dealer, but something other vRS owners have found.

I still have an Impreza WRX so wasn't looking for the same performance, I was looking to save money and the vRS has been a great mile muncher that keeps up with traffic well and has bags of go.

In the wet I don't really rate it as driving in to standing water has a strange bow wave thrown up from the wheel arches that obscures forward vision. I have changed tyres to Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's and these have substantially increased the traction and wet handling.

The nose is heavy so tends to be a bit more understeery than I am used to, but once used to it isn't that bad. It's not got Impreza handling, but it's not bad.

The light seats don't really keep their looks for long as our kids have rendered them pretty vile looking in no time. If budget wasn't an issue I'd have the leather option.

On balance, this car offers superb performance at a very low price. If only my Impeza had the same low down pull and mid range punch (but the Impreza only performs right when it's not hindered by traffic where the Skoda excels). It's cheap to run, doesn't make me feel like I'm in a poverty spec vehicle and so far, touch wood, has proven to be very reliable.