Skoda Fabia – Back to Basics

Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI Greentech Active

€20,290

With the new Fabia, Skoda keeps it in any case clear when it comes to body styles: the Fabia Combi is no longer coming back, which means that only the hatchback is left. If you do want a Fabia Combi, you have to settle for the old model, which will roll off the production line until the end of 2022. With a starting price of €18,290, the old Fabia Combi is also cheaper than the new hatchback, which is in the price list from €20,290. In 2021, that price was still at €19,890.

The only engine on the price list is the 1.0 TSI Greentech. Unlike the last phase of life of the previous Fabia, this engine is now available in several power variants: from 95 hp to 110 hp. The 95 hp version is only available with a five-speed manual transmission, the 110 hp only with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Base version Active can only be combined with the least powerful engine variant, above that are the Ambition and Business Edition. As Ambition, the Fabia costs at least €21,890, the Business Edition must yield at least €23,190.

LED and steel

As with the previous Fabia, the standard color for the new Fabia is ‘Energy Blue’. Would you prefer a more chosen ‘color’ such as black, gray or white? Then you will have to pull the cut. Besides the blue, white is the only other unilak available on the Fabia for €250. In addition, there are seven more metallic paint colors on the list. Six of these cost €650, with Phoenix Orange – the Fabia’s introductory color – being the most notable option. The most expensive paint color is ‘Velvet Red’ with an additional cost of €830. The base Fabia basically rolls on 15-inch diameter steel wheels, but for €590 you can also go for alloy ones. In this regard, the new Fabia does not differ from the previous one.

Skoda Fabia

What sets the new Fabia apart are the standard LED headlights with a light sensor. After all, on the previous Fabia these were still binoculars with halogen light. The side mirrors are heated, but you have to fold them manually. Furthermore, the Fabia has standard black window frames and a black insert in the rear bumper. At the front, Skoda added some frills with a chrome grille frame, but around the windows it is black that strikes the clock. As an extra, you can order a detachable towbar for €490.

little frills

The interior of the new Fabia is quite traditional. The ventilation grilles in the middle moved to a lower position and those on the sides are no longer angular, but round. The interior of the Skoda is therefore a lot less straightforward than with the previous model, but in terms of equipment it actually makes almost no difference. The seats are upholstered in a combination of black and gray fabric and the driver’s seat is adjustable in height. In front of the driver’s nose is a two-spoke steering wheel that is adjustable in height and depth. For the audio control you have to be at the 6.5-inch touchscreen with buttons on either side. The music is then pumped into the interior through four speakers.

Skoda Fabia

You can connect your phone via USB, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not standard on the Active. Furthermore, there is not much to be seen on the dashboard, because under the ventilation grilles are three rotary knobs with which you operate the manually operated air conditioning. Fortunately, this is standard on the new Fabia, unlike the previous one. The basic Fabia also does not have a digital cockpit: the driver has to make do with a black and white screen between the analog counters. For those who are not a fan of the usually high degree of digitization in new cars, this may come as a welcome change. In terms of safety systems, the new Fabia has Lane Assist and the proactive braking system Front Assist.

In fact, the basic equipment of the new Fabia Active hardly differs from that of the previous Fabia. The standard air conditioning and LED headlights are in fact the only significant additions. Yet the new Fabia will soon be €2,400 more expensive than the previous model. Although you get an 11 centimeters longer car in return, which is on a platform that is a lot more mature, but in terms of equipment you do not really improve.

The basic equipment of the Active can be further supplemented with the Comfort package for €390 (folding rear seats in parts, Bluetooth telephony, front center armrest and height-adjustable passenger seat) and the Travel package for €590 (Multifunction steering wheel, cruise control and Smartlink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). If you check those two packages, you have a nicely equipped car on the doorstep for €21,270.