Skoda Fabia first drive | running cost champion gains kerb appeal

Skoda has finally moved the Fabia onto the same platform as the rest of the VW Group’s small car stable, bringing improved refinement and driveability.

This all-new model is the biggest in its segment and offers more boot space than key rivals, making it a practical choice. A sharper look, courtesy of some sleek LED headlights and new alloy wheel designs, gives the car greater kerb appeal, too.

The interior has an upmarket look and feel, sharing its design with the Octavia. The new Fabia is a running-cost champion, with the entry-level model costing fleets just 27p per mile over a typical four-year cycle. Priced at just £15,070 and powered by a 65PS non-turbocharged engine, it’s the cheapest model in its segment.

We’d be more tempted by the £20,090 SE L version, which sits near the top of the range. It uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 110PS and a six-speed manual gearbox. Compared with rival models, the Fabia still represents good value in this
guise for both fleet and driver.

The SE L grade also comes with a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while base S and SE Comfort models make do with 6.5-inch units. A fully digital instrument cluster can be added as an option, although it’s standard on the range-topping
Colour Edition trim.

Fuel consumption doesn’t vary wildly between models. All should be capable of returning around 50mpg. Alongside the 65PS and 110PS versions are 80PS and 95PS options.

Skoda also offers the Fabia with a 1.5-litre 150PS engine, plus a sportier Monte Carlo trim level.

The Fabia’s suspension is set for comfort, rather than handling. At times, the car can feel a bit more floaty than a Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208, but it feels more engaging than its predecessor. We found the ride on our test car a little coarse. It was equipped with 17-inch wheels, which are less forgiving than the 15-inch or 16-inch options. While the seat is soft enough to absorb most of the harsher bumps, on rougher surfaces the interior trim started to rattle. At higher speeds the Fabia also exhibits more road noise than we’d have liked.

Performance from the 110PS engine is just about perfect for this size and type of car. It’s got plenty of low-down grunt, so you don’t have to work the engine particularly hard, and the clutch and gearbox harmonise well, allowing for crisper shifts.

All Fabias come with autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist as standard. Travel Assist is optionally available, for the first time, bringing adaptive cruise control with lane-centring and traffic sign recognition. A heated windscreen and heated steering wheel can also be specified.

The Fabia retains its position as the sensible choice in the small car segment. It has the lowest running costs, the highest level of practicality and is easy to drive. Unlike before, the new Fabia is far more desirable. It’s better looking, safer and comes with a
higher specification.

It’s not the most dynamic or refined car, and there’s no hybrid or electric powertrain, but for those require dependable and fuss-free transport, the new Fabia hits the spot.

Specification shown for Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 110 SE L.