WHEN I first drove a Fabia estate a few years ago, I thought it was one of the best of its kind on the market.

Having driven its successor, I have no reason to change that assessment.

When the Fabia first hit the roads, it offered somethinga little different coming with Volkswagen backed engineering and a cheap price ticket.

This third generation model is claimed to be 17 per cent cheaper to run, has lower insurance costs and is the most technologically advanced.

It ticks most of the boxes, whether for use by a small family or a business needing a practical yet small vehicle.

The changes include a new body styling and a range of colour combinations and interior styling.

From the outside the car has a more angular look with its sharp creases and high waistline.

At the front the the bonnet sports a smart new grille with the black and chrome logo and new headlights which incorporate daytime running LEDs on all but the entry model. Side indicators are now built into the door mirrors.

Skoda interiors have a less-is-more approach. The Fabia feels classy with good-quality soft touch finish to dash and door, mostly, but there are still some cheaper looking plastics.

The layout is uncluttered with the dashboard dominated by a touch screen which controls major infotainment and connectivity.

The Czech car maker now has its eyes on the business market, with most of their cars offering economical engines and low CO2 emissions which make them attractive to the business user with low benefit in kind tax bills.

In the case of the Fabia this includes new EU6 compliant engines, four petrol and two diesel, with CO2 emissions as low as 82g/km with the Greenline model, making this very practical car a real business proposition.

The estate is hugely practical, it is wider and longer, but 65kg lighter than its predecessor, offering class-leading boot capacity and a multitude of other stowage compartments.

These include under-seat storage, door pockets, drink holders and central storage bin, plus a large glove compartment and a clever touch - a mobile phone holder just in front of the gear lever.

It is also offers decent levels of standard equipment and is safe with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety award.

On the road the 90PS three cylinder diesel engine, mated to a seven speed DSG auto gearbox does deliver excellent economy, claimed at a huge 78mpg.

Despite its modest performance figures, it still feels nippier and there is enough power and it sits comfortably all day on the motorway.

With the split rear seat in place boot space is 530 litres, opening out to a huge 1,395 litres, when the seats are folded. In addition there are hooks, nets and a clever adjustable semi-circular basket holder to keep things in place when on the move.

On the road the car generally handles well, its wider stance and uprated suspension helping it to grip well on bends even if it can feel unsettled on poorer roads.

The entry level includes air conditioning front electric windows and door mirrors, DAB digital radio, electric front windows, air-conditioning and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.

The SE adds neat leather touches, 15-inch alloys, 3-spoke leather steering wheel, parking sensor and a host of other goodies.

All models have seven airbags, front, side, curtain and driver's knee airbag, enhanced braking technology and electronic stability control.

The top end models also get hi-tech additions like radar sensing and post collision braking system, driver fatigue detector, hill hold control.