Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 SE-L
Facelifted supermini
In the context of its immediate Volkswagen Group rivals, the latest Skoda Fabia supermini could almost be seen as something of a younger sibling.
While the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo have been treated to thorough overhauls, complete with new MQB-A0 platforms, upgraded tech and sharp new exteriors, the third-generation Fabia – which has now been facelifted for 2018 – is still, to an extent, kicking about as one of last year’s hand-me-downs.
Beneath that subtly revised exterior sits the older PQ26 platform that’s underpinned the Mk3 Fabia since 2014. There’s the same Macpherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension arrangement found on the pre-facelift Fabia, while power comes from 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI and MPI petrol engines.
Power outputs are decidedly modest. The two MPI engines range from 59bhp to 75bhp, while the TSI motors come in 94bhp and 109bhp forms. For this European first drive, we opted for the 94bhp unit.
Unsurprisingly that engine isn’t a heavy-hitter, but there’s more than enough pep to get the Fabia moving. The gearlever’s action is crisp and encourages you to interact with it to keep the revs above 2300rpm, at which point the Fabia feels most enthusiastic. Its timbre isn’t quite as rorty as you might expect a threepot to be, though, sounding a touch subdued under throttle. Stray above 5000rpm, however, and it becomes strained and out of breath.
As for its on-road manners, the fact that it sits on a comparatively older platform than the Polo and Ibiza doesn’t leave it massively wanting. A comfort-biased set-up is present here, evident in the way the Fabia goes about dealing with choppier sections of road – of which there were plenty on our Czech test route.
There is a degree of rumbling and shuddering as the 16in alloys travel over ruts and bumps, but body control is generally tidy and well managed. Compression over shallower, lowfrequency undulations is progressive and forgiving, with vertical travel being kept mostly in check. Sudden dips can be a touch jarring, though.
This softer set-up also translates into a greater degree of lateral roll through bends – which is emphasised somewhat by the Fabia’s taller stature. Under normal driving conditions this roll isn’t particularly problematic, but the Skoda doesn’t seem particularly happy when subjected to sudden directional changes, wallowing about as its weight shifts around its lateral axis. It’s in these instances where the Skoda doesn’t feel quite as sophisticated or balanced as its Seat and VW counterparts.
The newer Mqb-a0-based models shine in terms of their interior practicality too. Where the Fabia used to be one of the most spacious cars in its class, the German and the Spaniard now have the upper hand. The Fabia’s 330-litre boot is still a useful size, but the Polo outdoes it by 21 litres and the Ibiza offers an additional 25. Rear leg room seems tighter than it does in the Polo, too, although there’s still plenty of space for your noggin.
As far as on-road manners, performance and practicality are concerned, then, the Fabia is competent, but there are no real advantages here that would lead you to pick one over a Polo or an Ibiza.
Where the Skoda does carry some clout is in terms of price. Our Se-l-spec model will set you back £15,935, which gets you sat-nav, 16in alloys, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and DAB radio. A comparable Ibiza, meanwhile, costs £16,255, while a Polo with a similar level of equipment starts at £18,560 – although you do get a more powerful engine, too.
This leaves the Fabia in a bit of a grey area. It’s a comfortable, affordable, easy-to-drive and attractive supermini, but so too are its rivals – and often to a greater extent. More is needed here to really make it stand out. Perhaps we’ll get that when the fourth-gen model eventually arrives.