We test the new Skoda Fabia: a triple leap in quality

Skoda goes “like a motorbike”. The brand has managed to increase turnover by almost 11% in the January-to-September total compared with 2020, with operating profit, which is what really matters, rising by more than 90% over the same period. Its profitability is the highest of all the brands in the Volkswagen Group, and its plans up to 2030 include growing by 50 percent and placing itself in the Top 5 in sales in Europe.

And judging by the products it is launching onto the market, such as the Skoda Enyaq at the top of the range, or this new Skoda Fabia that we have been able to test, plus its SUV range and everything still to come, those targets are not at all far-fetched.

Indeed, the importance the brand has gained within the Volkswagen Group is such that Skoda is responsible for developing the new MQB A0 platform for the whole group. A platform already used by cars such as the Seat Ibiza and the Volkswagen Polo, and which will become even more important with new models on this platform for markets such as India, Russia or Africa. The VW Group’s goal over the coming years is to sell no fewer than 8.5 million cars on the MQB-A0.

Four generations of Skoda Fabia, more than 4.5 million cars sold

This new platform, together with the good work of the brand’s designers and engineers, is precisely what allows the fourth generation of the Skoda Fabia to make a huge leap over its predecessor, a bigger one than any between earlier generations. Let us recall that the first Fabia was launched in 1999, the second generation reached the market in 2007 and the third was presented in 2014, receiving a restyle in 2018 that kept it on sale until the arrival of this new Fabia.

In total, more than 4.5 million Skoda Fabias have been sold worldwide since its launch, making the Fabia the second best-selling Skoda model in its entire history after the Octavia… and the first in Spain, although in 2021 the best-selling Skoda models on the Spanish market are already the SUVs, the Kamiq and the Karoq.

The exterior and interior design of the new Skoda Fabia

Outside, the new Skoda Fabia grows in every dimension except height. The bodywork reaches 4.11 metres (+11 cm), while the width is 1.78 metres (+5 cm) and the height is 1.46 metres. The wheelbase grows by 9 cm, to reach 2.56 metres.

If we add to these new proportions, with a lower roofline and greater length and width, the Enyaq-style grille that the restyled Kodiaq also carries and that now appears on the updated Karoq, together with elements that vary by version, such as the rear spoiler, chrome window surrounds, a generally more muscular design and much improved aerodynamics (the Cx drops to 0.28, the best in its class, when it previously stood close to 0.33), the new Fabia has a very modern and youthful look.

This is no coincidence; this is precisely the audience Skoda wants to win over with the new Fabia. That is why it has also offered up to 20 colour combinations, ranging from single-tone to two-tone, with a black or grey roof, of which the orange bodywork with black roof is particularly eye-catching.

Versatile: the best boot in its class

A direct consequence of the increase in size is a cabin that, if it already stood out for its spaciousness in the previous Fabia, in this new generation distances itself from rivals such as the Opel Corsa, the Renault Clio, the Citroën C3, the Peugeot 208 or the Hyundai i20, some of its main competitors. The main gain is in the boot, with 380 litres, which means roughly 50 litres more capacity.

It is the best car in its category for anyone who values this aspect especially, also standing out for its versatility thanks to how easily the rear seats fold down (the resulting surface is almost flat) or the two-height adjustable load floor.

This versatility also runs through the cabin, with the usual “simply clever” solutions from Skoda. They are small details, but some are appreciated in everyday use, such as the removable hooks, the specific pockets so rear passengers can leave their mobile phones, load holders in the boot or even a USB socket located on the roof panel.

We have not had the chance to drive a basic-trim unit. But at least with the Sport trim, which is the one we drove, the impression is excellent, despite the use of hard plastics in many areas of the dashboard. Ergonomics are very good, the floating touchscreen of the multimedia system is very handy and there are physical buttons for direct control of the climate system, and the seats with integrated headrests in this version hold you as well as, or better than, their appearance suggests, without compromising comfort.

The LED ambient lighting, the sophisticated feel of some materials covering the dashboard, the chrome on some controls or the digital instrumentation all contribute to that sense of moving up a category.

The engine range of the new Skoda Fabia

The entry model in the Skoda Fabia range is the 1.0 MPI naturally aspirated 3-cylinder petrol with 80 CV. There is no need to think twice: for 800 euros more, with the same equipment, the 95 CV 1.0 TSI version, with turbocharger, is a world ahead in driving pleasure and performance, and even ends up using less fuel in real use.

The next step up the range is the 110 CV 1.0 TSI, which is not offered with the basic Active trim. For tight budgets the 95 CV engine is perfectly recommendable (we will come back to prices and equipment later) but, if you can afford it, the difference between the 95 and 110 CV, with the same equipment, is 500 euros, and the more powerful one comes with a six-speed gearbox instead of five.

Fuel consumption is not a problem here either: the 1.0 TSI uses very little in either version and performs very well in terms of responsiveness, low noise and pulling power. You can achieve average consumption of between 5.5 and 6 l/100 km on motorway journeys at a relaxed pace, although it is true that, like all small-capacity turbocharged petrol engines, fuel consumption is sensitive to pace and rises sharply if you ask the engine for everything it is capable of.

For 600 euros more, the 110 CV 1.0 TSI is also offered with the recommended DSG dual-clutch gearbox with 7 speeds. In fact, this would be our recommended purchase within the Fabia range, the 110 CV 1.0 TSI DSG. Its price, after all discounts, is 15,500 euros in Ambition/Emotion trims, and 16,100 euros in Sport/Style. The minimum budget we recommend for buying a Fabia is the 12,800 euros that the 95 CV 1.0 TSI in Active trim costs.

A 1.5 TSI 150 CV version will be added to the range later on, exclusively with a 7-speed DSG gearbox, as well as the sportier trim that, in the latest editions of the Fabia, the brand calls Monte Carlo.

Another novelty in the Fabia range is the option of a 50-litre fuel tank instead of the standard 40 litres, which increases range.

Behind the wheel of the new Skoda Fabia

And since we are on the subject of dynamics, it should be highlighted that the Skoda Fabia improves in this respect in the same proportion as in the other areas. And you certainly notice it when driving. Above all because its ride and the feel at the wheel are those of “a more substantial car” than in the previous generation, with superior comfort both over bumps and in general insulation, and with more precise steering.

We have driven a Sport version, both on the motorway and on a stretch of mountain road, and the feeling throughout is of a very balanced, safe and easy-to-drive car. In particular, this configuration, with the magnificent seats of the Sport trim, the DSG gearbox and the digital instrumentation, we liked a lot. That said, it has firmer springs, specific dampers and ground clearance lowered by 15 mm.

But you can tell the base is excellent, and the remaining variants without this sport suspension will not pose any agility problem and will probably improve comfort; we will wait for a more thorough test to confirm this. Skoda also offers a package called Rough-Road, also with specific springs and dampers, and with 15 mm more ground clearance.

In addition, the Fabia can now be equipped with driver assistance systems such as Travel Assist, which includes active cruise control, lane assist and traffic sign recognition. The parking assistant, automatic parking and front assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection also debut in the range. In total, adding the optional airbags, which include a knee airbag for the driver, the Fabia can have up to nine airbags.

Equipment, discounts and prices of the Skoda Fabia

The new Fabia range results from combining the three engines initially available with four trim levels: Active, Ambition, Style and Sport. From the recommended prices, 3,460 euros of promotional discount must be deducted and, if you finance the purchase with the brand, around 1,700 euros more, plus 4 years of free maintenance. With all these discounts the prices would be as follows:

• Fabia 1.0 MPI 80 CV 5-speed Active: 11,990 euros
• Fabia 1.0 MPI 80 CV 5-speed Ambition/Emotion: 13,200 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 CV 5-speed Active: 12,800 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 CV 5-speed Ambition/Emotion: 14,000 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 CV 5-speed Sport/Style: 15,000 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 110 CV 6-speed Ambition/Emotion: 14,500 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 110 CV 6-speed Sport/Style: 15,500 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 110 CV DSG Ambition/Emotion: 15,100 euros
• Fabia 1.0 TSI 110 CV DSG Sport/Style: 16,100 euros

As with the engines, it is worth ruling out the Active trim, aimed more at fleet cars. For 1,200 euros more, the Ambition, which will account for 45% of sales, adds 15-inch alloy wheels, rear-view camera, LED rear lights, Smartlink connectivity, Bolero radio, a centre armrest and electric windows.

From here on, Skoda offers, for around 1,000 euros more, the option of a personalisation focused on refinement with the Style trim, or a sportier look with the Sport trim. In both cases digital instrumentation of 10.25 inches, rain sensor, tempomat cruise control and climate control are added, plus keyless entry in the Ambition and a sunroof in the Sport.

As for multimedia systems, the basic version has a 6.5-inch screen, which becomes 9 inches with the Bolero radio, and 9.2 inches in the Amundsen system, the top of the range, with voice control and connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto without the need for cables.

Image gallery of the new Skoda Fabia

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSkoda Fabia13 versions · from 22,900 €