Fabia’s now more fabulous
IT’S always tricky for a car manufacturer when they decide to renew or update one of their most popular models.
Consequently, when ŠKODA announced a new version of the Fabia was to be launched, customers may have been a tad nervous.
Well, here’s the good news. ŠKODA has played it safe and the latest Fabia is more of an evolution than revolution. In other words, it’s better than ever and will no doubt continue to rack-up awards.
The new Fabia hatchback and estate are currently only available with a 1.0 litre petrol, 3-cylinder engine in various states of tune.
The entry level Fabia S hatchback, costing £12,840, comes with a 74bhp MPi engine. You can have this engine in every level of trim apart from the top of the range Monte Carlo.
However, we’d recommend you go for the 94bhp turbocharged TSi engine. Granted, in S trim you’ll need to find an extra £730, but you end up with much better performance (0-60 in around 10 seconds compared to just under 15 seconds in the lesser powered engine), and you actually achieve slightly better fuel economy of 61mpg as opposed to 57mpg.
The real difference, though, is in the driving because the TSi engine is much more flexible and makes the Fabia a joy to drive. You can opt for a 108bhp TSi engine which would suit owners who regularly travel fully loaded with passengers or baggage. If you go for the Fabia estate, which costs around £1000 more than the hatch, we’d suggest either of the TSi engines.
The ŠKODA Fabia has always represented terrific value for money and this latest model picks up where the previous version left off.
The S level of trim brings you electric front windows and heated door mirrors; remote central locking and DAB radio, but we’d move up to something like SE trim which adds air conditioning, height adjustment to both front seats, rear parking sensors, Smartlink which links the car to your mobile phone, multi-function steering wheel and smart alloy wheels. There’s even an umbrella under the front passenger seat.
You also have one of the roomiest interiors in this class of car. Don’t be fooled by the compact exterior dimensions, the ŠKODA Fabia will seat five adults and cope with a fair heap of luggage. The ŠKODA Fabia is one of the best cars in its class. No wonder it has become such a popular sight on our roads.