Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDi PD

WHEN it comes to sensible choices in the supermini sector, the Skoda Fabia has long ruled the roost. If you appreciate quality, value for money and low running costs, the Fabia package is a tough one to beat, especially if you plump for one with a diesel engine. The latest 75bhp 1.4-litre TDi PD diesel unit is a case in point.

Far from being some sort of gap-plugging makeweight, the 1.4TDi has instantly assumed the mantle of best value Fabia bar none. Prices start at just £9,255 for the 1.4TDi Classic hatch, with the estate version tacking another £700 onto that price. Opt instead for the well equipped Comfort version and you can expect to fork out from £10,155. Of course to some this will still seem an inordinate pile of money to spend on a compact Skoda hatchback, but never mind the width, feel the quality.

Excellent fuel economy and low emissions are another benefit of the Pump Duse engine and the Fabia 1.4 turns in an average of 61.4mpg with just 124g/km of carbon dioxide emitted per kilometre.. With 195Nm of torque on tap (more than a BMW 520i), the Fabia 1.4TDi feels flexible and surprisingly muscular for such a small car and the car will accelerate from 60 to 100km/h in fourth gear in just 10.1 seconds. The Fabia estate is well worth a look, competing in a field where genuine rivals are few. Whilst it's not the largest estate car around, it certainly offers significant extra utility over the standard Fabia hatchback.

We motorists get punished financially every time we turn a wheel. Here's a rather enjoyable way to sugar the pill.

Skoda play the low emission and low fuel consumption cards with the latest Fabia 1.4-Litre diesel.