FORECOURT
SKODA FABIA Many buyers are being tempted away from hatchbacks and into crossovers, but the new Fabia aims to reverse that. Jack Evans checks out what it’s like. Under the bonnet
THE KNOWLEDGE Skoda Fabia SE L Price (as tested): £23,695 Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol Power: 108bhp Torque: 200Nm Max speed: 127mph O-60mph: 9.8 seconds MPG (combined): 49.6-54.3 Emissions: 117-128g/km CO2
The 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine develops 108bhp and 200Nm of torque.
WHAT IS IT? Given the ever-increasing popularity of crossovers and compact SUVs, you might think that conventional hatchbacks are becoming somewhat redundant. However, these valuefocused models continue to provide the backbone of many manufacturer line-ups and are a common sight on the monthly lists of best-sellers, too. So you can understand why companies such as Skoda aren’t content with just creating crossovers and SUVs, but want to make hatchbacks that’ll fit the bill for buyers, too. WHAT’S NEW? The Fabia has been a mainstay in the Skoda range for many years now and this new one – the car’s fourth generation – is larger than ever, courtesy of a longer wheelbase and more generous dimensions. In fact, there’s 50 litres more boot space than before, with an impressive 380 litres now on offer. Elsewhere, we’ve got a revised exterior with more premium touches and a cabin peppered with the very latest Volkswagen Group technology. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Our Fabia came with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. There’s a 1.5-litre should you need extra punch, but it feels like this engine occupies a real sweet spot in the range, owing to its great mid-gear acceleration and decent fuel consumption. There’s also the option of a non-turbocharged 1.0-litre engine, but unless you’re after the very lowest insurance possible, we’d go for this turbocharged version, given its added versatility and refinement at higher speeds. We’ve got a six-speed manual gearbox here, although there’s the option of a seven-speed DSG automatic on certain models too. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? The Fabia is a great example of what a no-frills driving experience should be like. The engine is responsive and punchy, while the six-speed gearbox is accurate and light. The brakes are nice and sharp too, and good visibility plus a comfortable seating position mean that newbies to the Fabia will be able to get acquainted with the car quickly. The ride is good as well and could be improved further by opting for smaller alloy wheels as opposed to the 17-inch versions fitted to our test car. We’d like there to be less road noise – which is quite noticeable on the motorway – but this, again, could be helped by fitting a smaller wheel. Overall, the Fabia manages to feel like a much larger car than it actually is.
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