Skoda

Fabia

Now in its fourth generation and boasting dynamic good looks the Skoda Fabia is still great fun to drive, excellent value for money and packed with techno treats and creature comforts.

Test Drive

Skoda Fabia Hatch – Fourth Generation First Drive (2022)

Skoda has upped the ante with its all-new fourth-generation Fabia hatchback which boasts a wealth of new technology, dynamic styling, along with a choice of more efficient petrol engines.

It’s difficult to believe the five-door Fabia supermini has been around for more than two decades now, but it still has appeal by the bucket loads and, to date, more than 4.5 million models have been sold worldwide.

Now the new car is here and customers have lots of choices to make. With prices starting from £15,305 and rising to £19,380, there are well-equipped trim levels called S, SE Comfort, SE L and a special Colour Edition to select from. A sportier Monte Carlo model will be joining the line-up later this year.

The engine choices are a little more limited with four three-cylinder, 1.0-litre units with power outputs of 65PS, 80PS, 95PS and 110PS, along with a four-cylinder 1.5-litre option with 150PS. There are no hybrid or electric versions though.

We tested the Fabia in the Colour Edition trim driven by a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.0-litre TSI engine with 95PS of power, 175Nm of torque and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Costing £18,445 (increased to £22,320 with options), this car could complete the 0-62mph sprint in 10.6 seconds, topped out at 119mph and could deliver a combined 55.4mpg with carbon emissions of 116g/km.

There’s no denying the fact that the new Fabia is a fabulous looking car. It has grown in length and width which not only gives it more road presence but also improves space within the cabin – which is excellent news for all occupants.

Design cues include a more dynamic look with crisp lines, a sculpted bonnet, LED lights, privacy glass, a hexagonal grille, black pillars and neat 16-inch alloys.

The Colour Edition version allows customers to spice up the styling with contrast shades for the roof, wing mirror caps and alloy wheels. Our car also featured an optional panoramic glass roof, costing £730, which let light flood into the cabin.

The interior is clutter-free and modern with smart grey fabric upholstered seats and contrast stitching. There is lots of leather trimming and, for the first time, a digital instrument display.

This 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit display, which is available on the higher grade Fabia models, can be personalised with four layouts called Classic, Modern, Reduced and Extended. It can also show maps, including close-up views of junctions, music album covers, radio stations and caller profile images.

Elsewhere there is a smaller eight-inch colour infotainment screen, a six-speaker Bolero sound system, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio, along with air conditioning that is controlled from a separate panel with physical buttons. This is far less distracting than having to navigate drop-down touchscreen menus just to adjust the temperature. Everything is very driver-focused in the Fabia and the all-round visibility is also good.

When it comes to performance, the little three-pot engine delivers plenty of zip and the car fizzes through the country lanes. It will cruise at 70mph on motorways although the engine gets more vocal when pushed on, and the Fabia, complete with light steering, is ideal for weaving through busier town centre congestion.

The vehicle did get buffeted a little when driving in stronger cross winds and occasionally I did go looking for that non-existent sixth gear, but they were my only real criticisms of an otherwise excellent all-round performance. And special mention to the highly effective suspension set-up that helps smooth out uneven road surfaces along the way.

With its larger dimensions, cabin space has increased. There is bundles of room up front and a couple of adults can sit comfortably in the back if the front seats are not pushed right back. Ideally though, the back is suited for children and there are all the necessary Isofix fittings to secure child seats.

The boot capacity, which was already the biggest in class, has increased by 50 litres to 380 litres. This limit grows to 1,190 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat and there are straps and hooks to secure shopping bags.

The cabin has additional storage options with a deep glovebox, narrow cup holders, door bins with a space for a bottle, seat back pockets and a secret compartment next to the driver’s right knee.

The new Fabia was recently tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating and was awarded the maximum five stars with special mention to child safety which scored 81 per cent.

Systems include front assist with pedestrian and cyclist protection and manoeuvre assist, lane assist, side assist, a driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition and up to nine airbags. The eCall system is standard across the range and will alert the emergency services in the event of an accident.

All in all, Skoda has been a key player in the supermini segment since the arrival of the Fabia back in 1999. Now the car has got even more appealing with its sportier styling, high-end technology, competitive pricing and efficient engines.

Test drive

Skoda Fabia – first drive (2015)

The ever-growing supermini segment is fiercely competitive so vying for attention is no easy task, but Skoda has a highly commendable contender that can proudly hold its head up high against the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.

It’s the Fabia and the all-new third generation model is available with a choice of three trim levels – S, SE and SE L – and a range of ultra-efficient engines, plus a strong emphasis on economy and practicality.

And it now boasts a fun and funky appearance too with sharper, more dynamic lines. For example, there is a contoured bonnet, new 19-bar grille, crystal-look headlights, sharp precise lines and the vehicle’s wider and lower stance really helps to portray a sporty and dynamic character.

And with more consumer demand for personalisation options, buyers can choose the Colour Concept which allows them to select from 15 body colours and three colour options for the wheels, roof and mirrors. In addition, there are three interior trim styles to add extra individuality.

All vehicles are fitted with six airbags, a colour touchscreen, Stop/Start, DAB radio with USB connections and electric windows.

Move up to SE spec and the likes of alloy wheels, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors, air conditioning and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking are introduced.

Top-of-the-range SE-L (which replaces the Elegance trim level) introduces climate control air con, LED daytime running lights, keyless start-up, 16-inch alloys, cruise control and plenty more.

Skoda has also upped the ante when it comes to interior design with smart upholstery and decorative trims to show off the build quality. And the new white or metallic grey insert that runs across the length of the dashboard certainly adds a touch of panache.

It has a solid feel to it and although there is still a fair amount of hard plastic within the cabin it is not cheap in any way, shape or form.

The Fabia, priced from £10,600, has also shed the pounds and weighs 65kg less than the outgoing model and that weight loss results in improved fuel efficiency – up to 17 per cent better in fact – and the car delivers sharper driving dynamics along the way.

And regarding space, everyone is happy with bags of room up front and space for two – three at a squeeze – passengers in the back. And that promise of practicality is apparent when it comes to storage as the Fabia has a boot capacity of 330 litres which is the biggest in class and it can be increased to 1,150 litres with the split-folding rear seats lowered.

So the Fabia looks snazzy and has plenty of creature comforts, but how does it handle? The answer is very well indeed. Admittedly, it’s still not the most thrilling supermini out there performance-wise, but the fun factor has certainly been raised on the third gen model.

In and around town, the Fabia is agile, nimble and very easy to manoeuvre. Its sharp handling and good all-round visibility makes for easy parking.

Then out on the faster roads, the car skips along at quite a pace with good acceleration and competent road-holding, which means tight bends can be approached with confidence.

Road surface and engine noise are well suppressed and the highly efficient soft suspension helps to iron out most bumps and dips along the way.

I tested out two petrol models – the 1.0-litre 75PS three-cylinder SE with five speed manual transmission priced at £12,760 without options and the 1.2-litre 90PS SE, also with five-speed manual gearbox priced at £13,390.

Skoda expects both models will top the Fabia sales table and after lengthy runs in each of them it’s clear to see just why the company is confident these particular versions will prove popular.

They were zippy, fun, agile, sporty and after a short time behind the wheel had already impressed. Longer ultra-steep climbs proved a little challenging at times, but that aside the cars simply shifted along without a care in the world.

The 1.2 can reach from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds and has a top speed of 113mph and the 1.0-litre reaches 62mph in 14.7 seconds with a maximum limit of 107mph. And trips to the filling station will be few and far between with mpg figures at 60.1 for the 1.2 and 58.9 for the 1.0-litre derivative.

To be honest, both models impressed but I really enjoyed the fizz and whizz that the smaller engine offered.

Finally, there was time for a test in the 1.4-litre 90 PS diesel option with five-speed manual gearbox priced at £15,390. This model reaches 62mph from a standing start in 11.1 seconds and tops out at 113mph. It can deliver 83.1mpg on a combined run with carbon emissions of 88g/km.

Once again the Fabia was a dream to drive and there was ample power on tap whenever needed. And for anyone wanting the most economically-friendly model, this is a good option.

But it’s also worth noting that no matter how conservatively we drove, we always fell at least 10mpg short of the official figures, which in fairness to Skoda is the norm with most manufactures.

As one would expect, the Fabia is packed to bursting with safety specifications that have helped the car achieve the maximum five stars in the Euro NCAP tests.

In 2014, for the first time in its history, Skoda sold more than a million cars worldwide and for the fifth year in succession UK sales were at a record high.

The new third generation Fabia is likely to pick up that impressive sales story and continue the trend upwards breaking more records along the way.

Test Drive

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.6 TDI CR 105PS

Some city cars are so small and compact you wouldn’t dare take them onto a busy motorway and transporting passengers is a really tight squeeze, but that’s not the case with the stylish Skoda Fabia.

For despite being billed as a city car, the Fabia is big on space and can certainly handle itself alongside faster moving motorway traffic.

There’s easily enough room to comfortably accommodate four adults and at a push you can get three in the back.

Even the boot is generous in size with the opportunity to extend the capacity further thanks to split-folding rear seats.

The test model was the Monte Carlo edition and the clue to this car’s striking and somewhat flamboyant design is certainly in the name.

Eye-catching features include smoked headlights, 17-inch black alloys and tinted glass.

And the Candy White paintwork contrasts beautifully with the black wheel arches, door mirrors, window surrounds, roof, tailgate spoiler and side pillars. This is the textbook example of black and white contrasting perfectly.

The interior is fairly simplistic in its design, but not cheap in any way and all dials and controls are ideally positioned for ease of use. Creature comforts include a sound system which is compatible with many modern devices, air conditioning with a pollen filter, a double glovebox, electric front windows (manual winders in the back), and a black leather multi-function steering wheel with red stitching.

The driver benefits from a high-seated driving position which results in excellent all-round visibility and all other occupants have ample room to stretch out.

In and around town the Fabia effortlessly weaved its way through the busy traffic and parking was made simple thanks to the car’s compact dimensions and driver’s good visibility.

Then out on the faster motorways and country lanes, the 1.6-litre diesel-powered engine provided plenty of punch as the car accelerated through the five-speed manual transmission.

I did find on the odd occasion I was looking for a non-existent sixth gear, but that small gripe aside, the Fabia was an absolute delight to drive.

And the sports suspension adds a bit of spice to the all-round driving experience.

Another factor certainly worth mentioning is the car’s great economy figures with combined fuel efficiency of 67.3mpg which means trips to the fuel pumps will be few and far between.

Skoda has packed a comprehensive range of safety features into the model, such as anti-lock brakes with electronic brake control, numerous airbags and lots more besides.

All in all, the Skoda Fabia is a great city car that is capable of venturing much further afield. It looks great, handles well and even has an attractive price-tag of £15,190.

Test Drive

Skoda Fabia GreenLine Hatch 1.4TDi PD 80bhp DPF

When it comes to choosing a small city car that is excellent value for money and boasts outstanding reliability and performance credentials, few vehicles can compete with the Skoda Fabia.

Admittedly it’s not the most attractive of cars appearing quite angular in a streamlined world and the ride can be a little bit on the noisy side, but those minor issues aside, the Fabia is quite a catch.

There is plenty of room inside the light and spacious cabin for four adults and, for once, the back seat passengers don’t have their noses pinned against the headrest in front of them.

There is also ample room for luggage in the generously-sized boot and this is complimented by an array of other smaller, useful storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin.

The rear seats can also be quickly and easily folded flat to open up a vast storage area if needed.

The Fabia is a very comfortable ride and there are plenty of creature comforts to make the journey more enjoyable.

These include an eight-speaker audio system with MP3 compatibility, manual air conditioning, electric front windows, drinks holders and, on the test model, rear parking sensors which added £250 to the asking price.

And now that I have mentioned the price, this is where the real bonus lies.

The cost of my test model without any extras was just over £12.5k and when you take into consideration the combined fuel economy figures of 68.9mpg it’s clear to see why the Fabia is such an attractive option.

The drive itself is a pleasant one too with the 1.4-litre diesel-driven engine delivering plenty of power both in and around town and out on the open road. The five-speed manual transmission was also very responsive.

Skoda has crammed the Fabia with quality safety features including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, a tyre pressure monitor, remote central locking and numerous airbags including the optional curtain airbags (£205 extra) and plenty more besides.

All in all, the Skoda Fabia is a fun-packed city car that delivers a great drive, offers excellent safety features and will certainly keep you on your bank manager’s Christmas card list.