Skoda Fabia (New)

Overall Average Rating - 88.63%
Position in the Top 100 cars - 12th

Following the old Fabia into our chart was a tall order, yet this Skoda has risen to the challenge! Finishing 23 places above the MkI, it makes a healthy 12th place debut.

Soft suspension is good news for ride, but takes its toll on the handling. Let’s hope the forthcoming sportier variants can improve the dynamic scores.

WINNER OF CLASS - Supermini/City Car

Last year, we asked if there was any small car that could steal the Honda Jazz’s crown. The answer is yes! The new Fabia takes class honours – and 12th place in the overall Top 100. With an attractive, fresh shape and a boost in interior quality, it more than lives up to buyers’ expectations, with its 88.63 per cent rating 4.25 points above the class average. Second place goes to a quite different model: the Mercedes A-Class recorded a very respectable result in its debut year. It just edged out the top-value Mazda 2 into third. Honda’s Jazz follows it in fourth, while the final top five place goes to the MkI Fabia, confirming Skoda is king of the small car makers.

Ratings

Position in the Top 100 cars
Reliability: 25th
Build Quality: 41st
Running Costs: 5th
Performance: 33rd
Braking: 70th
Ride Quality: 17th
Handling: 61st
Practicality: 29th
Comfort: 35th
Ease of Driving: 11th

Manufacturer Verdict (Position - 1st)

Congratulations to Skoda – it’s the first firm ever to knock Lexus off the top of this chart! A consistently strong performance across the range proved decisive, with the Superb and Octavia starring.