89: Skoda Fabia – likeable Czech just beaten by its Spanish cousin

Skoda’s rival to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Honda Jazz is an enormously likeable car. It has plain, relatively simple and geometric styling that is nonetheless rather appealing. The cabin is equally simple, and even relatively spartan on basic models, but it’s comfortable, has decent space, and is certainly well made.

Basic engines are rather on the slow side, but if you spec it up with, say, the 1.0 TSI turbo petrol engine, it has more than decent all-round performance. 1.4 TDI diesel models are exceptionally frugal, but rather noisy and expensive, so stick with the petrols.

The Combi estate is uncommonly useful, with a gargantuan (by the standards of the class) boot that makes it ideal for, say, St Bernard owners on a budget. The only problem withe Fabia is that it's just been massively outclassed by its in-house VW Group rival, the Seat Ibiza. The Ibiza gets the all-new MQBA0 platform, so is roomier, more advanced, and better to drive. The Skoda will catch up, but for now it's dropped back.

Best model: 1.0 TSI Ambition