New Skoda Fabia: Bigger and More Dynamic

Skoda's upward development seems almost unstoppable: The new Fabia shows noticeable progress compared to its predecessor – not just in sheer size, but also in appearance, feel, and design. This is also due to the fact that reducing emissions in small combustion engine cars has become prohibitively expensive. Therefore, Skoda is pushing forward in its conventional program by making its models slightly larger, a move that is also reflected in the prices: Officially, the new Fabia will not be available for less than 15,000 euros, whereas the original model started at under 12,000 Deutsche Marks – and the predecessor was still available as a basic grey-market import with air conditioning for 11,000 euros. However, Skoda aims to remain cost-effective, potentially offering a stripped-down base model for 13,990 euros – with fewer options and partially through-colored instead of painted plastics.

More space: Significant growth in length and wheelbase

The fourth generation increases in length by 11 centimeters to almost 4.11 meters, grows in width by 4.8 centimeters to 1.78 meters, and the wheelbase stretches by a substantial 9.4 centimeters to 2.56 meters. Only the height is reduced by eight millimeters to 1.46 meters. This results in entirely new proportions: Compared to the Polo and others, the new Fabia looks much more robust and mature. This fits well with the interior featuring the familiar two-spoke steering wheel and high-quality control elements, as noted by our colleagues from Auto Motor and Sport, who had the opportunity to test drive and sit in it. Additionally, there is ample space on all four seats and a rather generous 380 liters of trunk volume, 50 liters more than before. The upcoming station wagon variant is likely to exceed the 500-liter mark.

Additionally, at least optionally, there are digital instruments and a central monitor in sizes of 6, 8, and 9.2 inches. And: optionally, there is even a three-stage(!) steering wheel heater. All of this feels somehow more premium than in the Golf and ID.3 and does not curb Skoda's ambitions towards premium, which seems to be ingrained in the Czech automaker's DNA. The new interior design is intended to further enhance the very good sense of space in the small car. The symmetrically constructed instrument panel with the central, free-standing display and the horizontally designed decorative strips in various colors depending on the trim level additionally emphasize the increased width of the interior. Moreover, the Virtual Cockpit is available for the first time.

Additionally, sharp-designed front headlights are praised, featuring modern LED technology in the standard version and also available as full-LED headlights with extensive functions upon request.

According to initial impressions from some colleagues, the chassis has also become even more confident, which fits the impression of positioning the car half a class higher. This should also apply to the well-insulated noise levels. Not many significant changes were made in terms of the engine: three-cylinder petrol engines dominate; alternative drives or plug-ins are just as unlikely as diesel or electric vehicles. We expect decent, but not outstanding, fuel consumption, likely to range between 5 and 6.5 l/100 km. Colleagues who have already driven it still criticize the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which remains somewhat hesitant when starting from a standstill, but should score points with decent low-speed comfort.

Simply clever: The Fabia contains 43 ideas

The Simply-Clever ideas have been further developed: for example, if you have ordered the glass roof, you can simply clip in the sun protection roller and store it under the parcel shelf when not in use. This saves costs and installation height. A storage basket for jackets or similar items, capable of holding up to 3.5 kilograms, can also be installed under the parcel shelf. Additionally, there’s a removable cupholder, a foldable front passenger seatback also available in other models, or the USB-C port on the interior mirror for dashcams popular in some countries like Russia. Overall, Skoda claims to have included 43 clever ideas in the Fabia.

What does this mean?

The new Fabia continues Skoda's upward movement without restraint: it has become larger, more comfortable, more mature, and more refined than its predecessor and is likely to take the lead in its segment. It's just a pity that alternative drives are not foreseen. Here, Skoda will need to come up with something new to once again offer a counter to cars like the Zoe and Renault 'Five’. The clever, but production-expensive electric Citigo iV, despite its large sales volume (which still brings in little money), has no future.