Finally, Skoda’s Fabia hatch is here, and it’s bigger and better than expected. With standout looks, an awesome engine, a roomy interior and boot, and an affordable up-spec ‘Monte Carlo’ glitter pack, the Fabia is rather fab. But its price is also slightly higher than expected. Is it worth the spend?
Skoda Fabia Overview
Skoda’s passenger hatch has quite a history, starting in 1987 with the Favorit - named after a previous 1930s variant from the century-old Czech company - and continuing from 1994 to 2001 with the unfortunate designation of Felicia. Our market missed the first generation Fabia of the Noughties (not necessarily a bad thing), and it’s been a long wait for the current shape; almost four years. Nevertheless, it’s here, with an initial offering of a twin-charged petrol engine and manual gearbox.
By the end of the first quarter, we will have a dual-clutch semi-auto gearbox option (DSG), a wagon bodystyle, and the fabulous Fabia RS sports model. For now, a standard spec is joined by our test car, the Monte Carlo edition, which gains some blacked-out goodies in honour of the 100-year anniversary of the Monte Carlo Rally, and 110-year anniversary of ŠKODA’s involvement in motorsport. And the overall package is impressive.
Skoda Fabia Engine
The 1.2-litre twincharged engine is simply stunning, busting out 77kW and 175Nm using supercharging and turbocharging combined. The supercharger forces induction in the lower revs while the turbo takes over in the mid-range, offering seamless power throughout the dial.
This is particularly handy in the Fabia, which is a larger, heavier car than the Polo from which it takes its powertrain (1140kg compered to the 77TSI Polo’s 1048kg). And with more room to haul cargo, it will be used as such, which will see its admirable fuel figure of 5.5L/100km – same as the Polo – rise accordingly.
The Fabia gets only five speeds in its manual, however, and while this helps to bring its fuel sip on par with the Polo, the gearing is noticeably tall in the lower cogs, and the Fabia is four tenths slower to 100km/h from a standing start (a slow 10.1secs).
A DSG semi-automatic won’t be here until January, at a $2300 premium. Speaking of which – the Fabia needs premium 95RON or above fuel.
Skoda Fabia Interior
The Fabia is a reasonably compact hatch on the outside, but looks can be deceiving. Inside, the car is quite roomy particularly at the bookends. The front row easily accommodating people, four drinks, five cubbies for loose stuff, and excellent vision provided by the sloping windscreen. The boot is equally impressive, offering a near class-leading 315L even with a full-size spare underfloor, or 1180L with the rear seats folded. The rear parcel shelf can also rest on one of two anchor points to separate the space further.
The second row is roomy enough, with enough leg and ankle room to fit adults behind large adults. But the centre seat is high and without support, for the shorter trip really, and the front passenger seat is high and feels perched without any height adjustment.
The Fabia dash is fairly individual, in that it doesn’t distinctly ape its Volkswagen kin. It has an effective stereo with MP3 audio access and Bluetooth, while cruise control is on the indicator stalk, leaving the steering wheel oddly bare without additional button controls. Ironically, the Monte Carlo edition, with its flash red seats and red stitching on its leather gear knob and wheel, does not get the base car’s radio and phone controls on its steering wheel.
While hard plastics abound on larger surfaces, the touch and turn surfaces such as audio and air controls are soft and have a quality feel, and some chrome trimmings on the instruments lift the cabin visually.
Skoda Fabia Exterior & Styling
The Fabia is a striking car; boxy but well proportioned, with a wide selection of colours and contrasting roof options of white or silver for $390 (think Mini Cooper, without the pretense). The Monte Carlo edition is lowlighted with black: on the wheel arches and sills of the car, a black roof, on the mirrors, headlights, grille, and finished with black 16inch multispoke rims and a Monte Carlo badge.
Considering the rims alone would usually cost n
ear the same premium as the Monte spec, it is a good value proposition. Other spec such as a sunroof ($990) or parking sensors ($390) are affordable options.
Skoda Fabia On The Road
The Fabia’s engine is a gem, and even in a tall five-speed manual its technology and delivery shines. The electrohydraulic power steering is accurate and allows a swift turn and response, though feels a touch remote as these systems often do.
The Fabia rides just like a Volkswagen, with suspension soaking up the surface imperfections while communicating feel and grip. The yaw, or bodyroll, is particularly tied down. The chassis and setup is built for safety, not dynamics, and the car is not overly adjustable through the twisties – it won’t step out or allow too much adjustment, but instead feels planted and balanced; fun without frivolity.
Six airbags and traction/stability control along with ABS, ASR, EBD and Brake Assist are great standard features, but even when you switch it off, stability control lingers and cuts in.
But for its purposes as a mildly hot hatch, it is grounded, secure an enjoyable, without from the sensible square.
Skdoa Fabia Challenges
A lot of people remember the old Skoda, and are yet to invest their faith and finances in a brand still re-emerging as a quality marque from the restrictive shortcomings of its imported forefathers. Resale is still harsh, and quality concerns for a car that undercuts VW on price and in some ways, positioning may scare off some conservatives.
The dealer network is strengthening, however, with over 40 brand locations established by the end of the year, and the Fabia has proven itself overseas for the three or so years it has already been on the global market.
The brand continues to go from strength to strength, with the Yeti 2WD and 4WD joining the Fabia RS and wagon in the new year, and the return of the awesome Roomster SUV alternative (and loved by kids for its attention to their needs as second-row passengers). Combined with backing and technology from arguably the strongest and mot rapidly growing car network, the Volkswagen group, it’s only a matter of time for Skoda to earn back our trust.
Skoda Fabia Verdict
As expected, the Fabia is a neat little hatch with excellent packaging, nod-worthy road manners and unique, if conservative, styling. It still stands out as different in a market already packed with product, which will be part of its appeal. The price is another decent chunk of that drawcard – while it isn’t the ‘cut-price VW’ we almost expect it to be, the Fabia offers a great point of difference – and alternative – to the many Polos of the world, and still comes under it by almost a grand in base specification. And if you like the Mini, here’s a maxi mini for half the price… it’s a powerful drawcard indeed.
Skoda Fabia Competition
The Fabia’s biggest enemies are kept close, with Volkswagen’s Polo separated at birth from the Fabia in the chassis and drivetrain. However, the 77TSI Polo in base ‘Comfortline’ spec comes in at $19,850, almost a grand more than the Fabia base car, and arguably more homogenized and plain. However, the Polo’s resale will be higher.
Skdoa Fabia Pros
Individuality, awesome drivetrain, space, spec
Skoda Fabia Cons:
More expensive than expected, limited drivetrain and spec
