Like the Polo, Seat Ibiza and Audi A1, this fourth-generation Fabia sits on VW’s MQB-AO platform, said The Daily Telegraph. It is more aerodynamic and economic than its predecessor, putting it on a par with Hyundai’s i20 mild hybrid, but without the electric assistance. The Fabia has four options for its 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine; the base level one has a Group 2E insurance rating, making it a brilliant first car.
The weedy entry-level 1.0 MPI 80 engine takes more than 15 seconds to get from 0-62mph, so is best suited to a dedicated town driver, What Car? said. Suspension is good for a small car, but it does pitch about. Steering is light and accurate, which makes it an easy car to drive deftly on city roads; it’s a quieter cruise than the Ford Fiesta or Seat Ibiza, and there’s plenty of grip – but there is also a fair bit of body roll.
It’s been given sharper styling inside and out, said Auto Express. The cabin has relatively high-end materials and a clear dashboard. Standard kit includes a DAB radio, LED headlights, Bluetooth and a 6.5-inch colour display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus air con. With an extra 111mm in length, the cabin is more spacious than before, with good leg- and headroom; and boot space is now a very decent 380 litres. Price: from £14,460.
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Quiz of The Week: 14 – 20 JuneHave you been paying attention to The Week's news?
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Echo Valley: a 'twisty modern noir'The Week Recommends This tense thriller about a mother and daughter is 'American cinema for grown ups'
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The week's best photosIn Pictures Swimming with buffalo, a floating garden, and more
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Echo Valley: a 'twisty modern noir' starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney
The Week Recommends This tense thriller about a mother and daughter is 'American cinema for grown ups'
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Larry Lamb shares his favourite booksThe Week Recommends The actor picks works by Neil Sheehan, Annie Proulx and Émile Zola
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Stereophonic: an 'extraordinary, electrifying odyssey'The Week Recommends David Adjmi's Broadway hit about a 1970s rock band struggling to record their second album comes to the West End
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Shifty: a 'kaleidoscopic' portrait of late 20th-century BritainThe Week Recommends Adam Curtis' 'wickedly funny' documentary charts the country's decline using archive footage
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Lollipop: a single mother trapped in a 'hellish catch-22'The Week Recommends Daisy May Hudson's moving debut feature is a gut puncher in the Ken Loach tradition
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Marfa, Texas: Big skies, fine art, and great eatingFeature A cozy neighborhood spot, a James Beard semifinalists, and more
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6 light-filled homes on the Jersey ShoreFeature Featuring a Victorian with a wraparound porch in Beach Haven and a condo with ocean views in Asbury Park
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This week's dream: Exploring Rome's undergroundFeature Beneath Rome's iconic landmarks lies a hidden world
