For those of you not au fait with the greatest band in the world, AC/DC, here is a quick history lesson.

Two brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young, start a rock band in 1973, write some of the best songs ever and are immortalised on the bedroom walls of 13 year-old boys around the world.

Now here’s the thing. Both brothers play guitar, but in 35 years of the band performing and recording, Malcolm has never played a guitar solo. Not a single, solitary note.

Angus has always been the school uniform-clad demon, writhing around like a dying cockroach while ripping out face-melting solos on his Gibson SG guitar. Malcolm, on the other hand, has stood quietly in the background, holding the rhythm solid and going largely unnoticed for 35 years.

The Skoda Fabia is also the ignored sibling of a famous family, always a distant second in the Volkswagen Group to either the pert Polo or popular Golf.

Unlike Malcolm, it seems that Skoda has finally stepped out of the shadows with a new platform for the Fabia (shared with SEAT) and delivered a solo worth listening to.

The new Fabia platform is a little bigger than the previous model which puts it between the Polo and Golf size-wise

Price-wise it is a different story as the Fabia has a unique position as there is not an equivalent engined Polo model to match on price, and the Golf range is more expensive.

However the forthcoming Polo could well be based on the Fabia platform and share closer pricing.

At the moment though, the Fabia starts at $27,990 for the 1.4 diesel rising to $29,990 for the 1.6 auto version as tested.

There are quite a few things to like about the Skoda Fabia. The interior is probably one of the best in its class with a real air of quality about all controls and surfaces, something that is very hard to find in the sub-$30,000 bracket.

The seats are firm and give decent support, while in the back there is a good amount of leg room even for tall people. While a band’s roadies won’t like the diminutive size, the interior is quite spacious both for groupies and luggage.

The only real problem with the interior is the centre arm rest which while providing storage, obscures the hand-brake but it can be folded out of the way.

The quality feel inside also translates to ability on the road where the Fabia shows enough competence to make it an interesting proposition to drive. The ride is compliant and the car feels quite solid though a little high when pitched into corners. Work the suspension hard and it starts to feel a little rubbery and roll through corners is evident but it still gets along back roads quickly with a minimum of road noise and a good amount of feel through the steering wheel and seat.

The engine growls like a would-be rock singer when you give it an audition and produces a good amount of power to back up the noise. The best word to describe acceleration is ‘brisk’ but it does get the job done. The 6-speed auto is well-sorted and the manual shift option helps to make the performance sportier.

Economy is not bad either with a combined total of 8L/100km on my various trips, while a long suburban run at 60km/h saw a best of 6.8L/100km

Aesthetics aren’t really the Fabia’s strong suit — the back and side are very non-descript — but it’s redeemed slightly by a moderately handsome front end and the MINI-style white roof.

While the Skoda Fabia doesn’t have the cachet of its savvy, cafe latte, Volkswagen brethren it is just as solid inside and as likeable to drive.

It won’t set the world on fire with solos that will inspire every teen to take up the guitar but it will, like Malcolm Young, provide a quality rhythm without fuss.

Price: from $27,990. As tested $29,990

What we like

• Raspy engine note
• Interior quality
• Auto transmission

What we don’t like

• Armrest is too high and interferes with gear changes/handbrake operation

Words Ben Dillon, photos Darren Cottingham

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