Offering the same modern styling as the Skoda Fabia hatch, the new Fabia Combi (wagon) compliments this with an impressive load-carrying capacity and the frugality of a 1.9 litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

You could say it’s the perfect Combi-nation of pace and space for the fleet buyer.

The punchy 77 kilowatt/240Nm 1.9 litre TDi engine is one we’ve driven before in other VW group vehicles. Thanks to the lighter kerb weight of the Fabia Combi, the performance is sprightly rather than mind-blowing and yet the fuel economy is excellent. In this economy, saving every drop counts towards the bottom line.

However, like the 1.4TDi Fabia hatch, the diesel engine in the Combi is quite a loud unit when accelerating briskly, so we feel that some more noise insulation might make for an even more pleasant driving experience. Once in fifth gear on the motorway the Fabia Combi TDi is fine, it will happily trundle along sipping diesel at 4.9l/100km.    

When the rear seats are folded, a loading space of 1,460 litres is created. This is 235 litres more than in the old Fabia Combi and makes the Skoda a potential champion in load-lugging, even in comparison to larger competitors in the mid-size segment.

All of this is offered with an easy-to-operate folding mechanism for the rear seats and outstanding spatial ergonomics in the cabin for four to five people. There are plenty of oddments space and cubby holders, but we didn’t like the fold down armrest cum storage bin for the driver’s seat. When folded down it almost fouls the hand brake, and one wonders why you would want an armrest anyway in a manual vehicle?   

Fully in line with the convincing load volume of the Fabia Combi is the maximum loading weight available. Independent of the engine, this varies according to the equipment level and reaches a figure of 515 kilograms. Not bad for a Supermini!

The Fabia Combi is also available in a 1.6 litre petrol engine with 77kW and 153Nm allied to a six-speed automatic transmission for those who prefer not to change gear. A pity, because we really feel that the diesel option is a much better choice in this variant of the Fabia particularly as we achieved an average consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km, which is exactly what Skoda quotes for the urban cycle.

Standard equipment on the Fabia Combi is the same for both engines and includes features that offer drivers and passengers a high level of safety thanks to 6 airbags, an anti theft alarm, Electronic Stability Programme, tyre pressure monitoring, ABS brakes, and ASR traction control.

Other standard features include a vehicle immobiliser, fog lamps, multi-function controls for stereo on the steering column, and Isofix fittings in the rear seats; fully automatic air conditioning, heated exterior door mirrors, chilled glove box, adjustable armrest, and a multi-function trip computer.

The Fabia Combi also receives 15-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, roof rails, and there’s an 8-speaker CD stereo with input for an iPod, as well as side mouldings and many different storage features.

This continues the Skoda tradition of offering a high specification vehicle, with high levels of space and comfort for excellent value.  The 1.6 automatic is priced at $31,990 whilst the 1.9 TDI is priced at $33,990. 

Specifications: 

Body type                         Five-door wagon         

Drive                                Front-wheel-drive        

Engine Type                      Inline 4-cylinder turbo-diesel                

Engine Capacity                 1896cc

Max power                        77kW @ 4000 rpm

Max torque                        240Nm @ 1900 rpm

Fuel Consumption              4.9L/100Km (combined)

C02 emission                    129g/km

0 to 100kph                     11 sec

Front suspension               McPherson Strut

Rear suspension                Compound link axle

Roof Rack                         Yes

ABS Brakes                       Yes

Air Bags                            6

ESP                                 Yes

Air Conditioning                 Climatronic

Lap/diagonal belts             5

Satellite Navigation            No

Electric seats                    No

Burglar Alarm                    Yes   

Panic Button                    No

Boot release                     Yes

Cargo Cover                      Yes

Boot Capacity                    300/1460l

Wheel type                       16-inch Alloy

Spare Tyre                        Yes

Through Life Cost Report

36 Months 75000km

Price                                $33,900

WOF                              $135.00

Registration                    $1010.07

Servicing to 75k:             $2280.00

Total Tyre cost:                          $2106.00

Residual (39%)              $13256.10        

Indicative final figure      $26264.97

The Through Life Cost Model is used for illustrative and indicative purposes only. StratCon Partnership Limited and Adrenalin Publishing Limited accept no responsibility or liability should any costs indicated in the Through Life Cost Model change from those published. All residual values are based on an average of values achieved through Turners Auctions Limited sales for the previous 3 months from issue date.