Skoda Fabia outsmarts the kids

Kids and cars are a mix made in hell – unless you don’t mind squalor.

We’re not talking the odd sweet wrapper or crisp bag, more the cast-off curry and chips trays, Maccies cartons, poppy seeds that lodge in the upholstery seams and chewing gum that binds everything together.

Then there are the kids that grew up but retained their teenage traits, like the 26 and 28-year-olds who find it impossible to get into a car without an overflowing mug of coffee slopping around.

In a matter of days you could hatch some completely new models to wallow in – how about the Ford Landfill, the Toyota Tip or the Suzuki Cesspit?

Czech brand Skoda has enjoyed much success with the latest, third, generation of its Fabia city car, current holder of the What Car? 2015 Car of the Year crown.

And overall package apart, a reason for its appeal is the company’s attention to detail, small things that make a difference.

They call it Simply Clever and include stuff like a multimedia holder for your phone, a ticket holder for debit or swipe cards, an ice scraper on the fuel filler flap, shopping hooks in the boot – and a waste basket.

That’s right, there’s actually a detachable rubbish bin in the car. Just don’t expect to dump a Number 43 with fried rice or Domino’s box in there.
Nonetheless, these smart ideas can tempt a buyer torn between one car or another.

This latest Fabia hit the streets as a five-door hatchback in January, followed a couple of months later by the estate and the best seller is already proving to be the 1.0-litre 75PS SE model, which just happens to be the version we have on test.

It’s a big deal for Skoda because around 65 per cent of Fabia buyers are retail customers as opposed to the fleets.

Three trim levels are up for grabs – S, SE and SE L – all of which come with six airbags as standard along with the likes of Bluetooth and DAB radio, while jumping a grade adds air-con, alloy wheels, parking sensors and City Emergency Braking.

Engines see a choice of two 1.0-litre petrol variants with 60 or 75PS and a pair of 1.2-litre units with 90 or 110PS while diesel power comes via two new three-cylinder 1.4-litre powerplants.

While the tested 75PS version is fine for pottering round town and okay once up to speed on the motorway, it takes an age to get there, clocking 0-62 in a sedate 14.7 seconds.

For that reason the 1.2-litre engines hold greater appeal if you crave more lively performance.

On the plus side though, an average fuel return of 58.9 miles per gallon is not to be sniffed at.

With a feeling of quality from the fittings, decent interior space, plenty of kit and the ability to personalise with colour roof, body and alloy wheel combinations, the Fabia presents a strong case for luring customers.

Even the Simply Clever package of net programme and storage compartment in the boot, holder for multimedia devices and waste bin only adds £65 to the tab.