Skoda (Lucian Milasan/Bigstock.com)

It's a long time since Skoda has featured in any decent jokes – but what the world's comedians have lost in inspiration, motorists have gained in safe, economical and pleasant driving.

At least that's what the folks at What Car? think, having awarded the Skoda Fabia the Car of the Year accolade at a glitzy award ceremony in London recently.

The Czech car beat off tough competition from 24 other vehicles, including the likes of Land Rover, BMW and Porsche.

The winning Fabia 1.2 TSI 90 SE – to give it its full title – echoed a win 15 years ago by the first version of the Fabia.

Judges were won over by the car's 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol engine, which delivered “punchy and flexible performance with impressive efficiency credentials”.

They praised the 58.8 mpg fuel consumption figures and the 110g/km CO2 emissions.

Further explaining their choice, the judges said: "It also beats its main rivals in the small car class — the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo — for both space and practicality.

"The technology that comes as standard on the Fabia includes a brilliant 6.5in touch-screen and a system that can sync with Android phones to provide satnav."

Given that Fabias are priced from £10,600, and that the on-board equipment was of such high quality, judges wondered how "Skoda turns a profit".

And the Fabia's reputation for reliability means it is not a common sight for vehicle recovery providers – a fact no doubt boosted by Volkswagen’s involvement with the Czech company. The German auto group bought Skoda in 2000, and has transformed the marque into one of the best-loved in Europe.