First test: Skoda Fabia in the economic logic test
The fourth generation of Skoda Fabia is coming to the test on hot Israeli asphalt, against stronger competition than ever before.
Is Fabia still one of the most useful and best in the super mini category?
Rami Gilboa
07/21/2022
Thursday, July 21, 2022, 10:42 a.m. Updated: 11:03 a.m.
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With a modern nose and a fashionable spoiler, the new Fabia is well designed (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Skoda did take its time in introducing the new Fabia, but the new model presents very significant changes;
It sits on the new MQB-A0 platform of the Volkswagen concern, offers large dimensions in relation to the super-mini group, and is also significantly larger than the outgoing model - Fabia 2022 is 11 centimeters longer than the previous model, 5 centimeters wider, and its wheelbase has grown by A significant 9.5 centimeters.
The new chassis is more spacious, the trunk is also bigger and in short - this is a super mini that can challenge even compact families with its dimensions.
The problem is that the price is not so 'mini' anymore, NIS 123,000 for the 'Style' test version with a 1.0 liter engine, NIS 129,000 for the same finish with a 1.5 liter engine.
If it hurts your pocket, you can choose the base version 'Ambition', which costs NIS 114,500.
NIS 1,000 must be added to all prices to extend the importer's warranty for three years - a strange accounting trick that only Skoda performs.
The bow is relatively vertical, a dynamic tin fold stretches across the doors (photo: Rami Gilboa)
Design
Without being creative and sensual, the new Fabia is more up-to-date and sharper, instilling a fresh and contemporary feeling.
The passenger cabin is spacious in both rows of seats, thanks to the extended wheelbase.
There are plenty of storage compartments, and Skoda's legendary umbrella has found its traditional place in the driver's door.
The passenger compartment is also elegant and functional.
In the center of the dashboard is an 8-inch multimedia monitor.
It is sharp, colorful and its response is fast.
Physical switches make it easier to operate the car's systems, but still, it takes three finger taps to change the blower speed, quite a hassle.
The reverse camera is not high enough, too bad.
And on the other hand, Fabia 'Style' is replete with plenty of technology and accessories - first and foremost 9 airbags and a full safety system, but also comfortable seats, plenty of charging sockets and rear air conditioning outlets, a 10.25-inch dashboard, storage compartments for the most part and in short, this is Skoda as usual.
The trunk is useful and comfortable.
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Spacious and conservative, efficient and useful.
Black. (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
The passenger compartment is also elegant and functional.
In the center of the dashboard is an 8-inch multimedia monitor.
It is sharp, colorful and its response is fast.
Physical switches make it easier to operate the car's systems, but still, it takes three finger taps to change the blower speed, quite a hassle.
The reverse camera is not high enough, too bad.
And on the other hand, Fabia 'Style' is replete with plenty of technology and accessories - first and foremost 9 airbags and a full safety system, but also comfortable seats, plenty of charging sockets and rear air conditioning outlets, a 10.25-inch dashboard, storage compartments for the most part and in short, this is Skoda as usual.
The trunk is useful and comfortable.
The shades in the cabin remained black on black on black;
It's a bit strange because it's evident the effort of the designers who weren't lazy, and embedded six materials and textures just at the base of the multimedia monitor.
Thank you for the effort, but why not introduce a little more color, a little joy of life? Why not use materials that are more pleasant to the touch like in the other super minis of the Volkswagen concern (Polo and Ibiza), or at least some of the happy colors of the Fabia Monte Carlo?
The finishing materials are high quality, but not creative in color and feel (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
3 pistons or 4?
The drive system is based on the familiar 999 cc 3-piston engine, which produces 110 horse power. The 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and the acceleration to 100 takes 9.9 seconds. These are relatively modest figures, but they are completely sufficient for a super mini without Sporty pretensions. The Fabia easily maintains a driving pace in the city and in the suburbs, as well as on the highway. The engine copes well with Route 6 and in hilly sections, but it does not have much in reserve - go for an interstate overtaking on a moderate hill, and you already have to be calculated. We also enjoyed driving on mountain roads, But the engine is the limiting link here. The dual-clutch gearbox isn't the fastest, but I liked the timing of its gear changes; for those looking for a quicker response, there are paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Here too, as in previous times of encountering these gearbox-engine combinations - drive Traffic jams will be a little bouncy.
The enlarged wheelbase creates excellent space for those sitting in the back, as well as charging sockets and air conditioner outlets (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Let's note the peace in which the Fabia operates;
The 3-piston engine sound is rougher than big engines, but I really like the engine-transmission handling;
The gear changes occur relatively early, keeping the engine at low rpm and with a pleasant sound. Even when squeezing the last horse, the sound of the engine remains pleasant and deep, not what we expected from such a small unit. Fuel consumption is excellent; in urban traffic we got 8 kilometers per liter, outside the city - 16 18 kml, and we even saw 20 kml or more in sleepy driving sections. For drivers looking for more impressive engine performance, we recommend the 1.5-liter 4-piston engine. It delivers 150 hp and 24.5 kgm, with 8 seconds From zero to 100. The price increase is not excessive, about NIS 6,000 for the 1.5 liter engine. There is no hybrid or electric option.
The 3-piston engine is modest, but it has no problem getting along with the Fabia (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Road customs
The MQB-A0 platform gives the new Fabia improved dynamic capability - it is tougher than the outgoing 'chassis', longer and wider.
This chassis joins balanced steering, and gives the Fabia much higher dynamic capabilities than the modest 1.0 liter engine allows.
Being super mini, its center of gravity is lower than that of fashionable Jeeps.
On a twisty road this translates into minimal roll angles, which allow for quite exciting road fun.
In this spirit the suspensions are calibrated on the harder direction;
On the highway they are excellent, but in a relaxed city drive, they are too stiff for my taste.
This stiffness comes from the suspension calibration but also from the 215/45 R17 tires which are too sporty - with a 45 section they do not provide enough damping, and transmit any road disturbance to your butt.
Rather, the base version 'Ambition' wears narrower and taller 195/55 R16 tires.
I'm willing to bet that they provide higher driving comfort, without tangibly harming the sporting abilities.
It's time to point out that the Fabia is also offered in a colorful and sporty 'Monte Carlo' version - with the 1.5 liter engine and 215/40 R18 tires, even more unnecessary in my humble opinion.
The stiff suspensions and the sporty tires have difficulty providing good driving comfort on bumpy urban asphalt (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Dual choice
Skoda Fabia is an excellent super mini that expands the boundaries of the category, towards compact families.
She looks good, articulate, the 1.0 liter engine delivers the goods and the fuel consumption is excellent, the road handling is much better than the minimum required.
The passenger cabin is spacious and useful, well built;
It's just a shame that the stiff upholstery materials convey a certain simplicity.
The ride comfort is reasonable, but the problem is that with all this goodness comes a price tag of NIS 123,000, clouding the celebration.
For those looking for a relatively cheap city car, I would recommend the 'Ambition' 1.0 liter which will give you most of what is in the test car, at a price of NIS 114,500 - it's still not cheap, but it's easier to eat that price tag.
For those willing to pay a little more, I would recommend the "Style" which costs NIS 6,000 more than the test vehicle - for NIS 129,000 you get an almost family car with a beefy engine and more complete accessories.
An absolutely excellent car, but this price may keep it away from the target audience (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
On the technical side: Skoda Fabia 'Style' 1.0 liter
Engine, drive:
gasoline turbo, front
Volume (cc):
999, 3-piston
Maximum power (hp):
110/5,500
Maximum torque (kgm):
20.4/2,000
Gearbox:
double clutch, 7 gears
Length (cm):
418
Width (cm):
178
Height (cm):
146.4
Wheelbase (cm):
255.2
Trunk (liters):
343
Tires:
215/45 R17
Acceleration 0-100 (seconds):
9.9 seconds
Maximum speed (km/h):
205
Fuel consumption (test):
15 km per liter
Competitors:
Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza
Price (NIS):
129,990
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Tags
Skoda
Fabia
Super mini
Champion Motors
Road Test