Skoda is a firm known for producing affordable vehicles based on Volkswagen’s automobile architecture. It’s no secret that the Fabia is one of their best-selling models in their current lineup. Now in its third generation, the model has a refreshed image and set of features for 2015 onwards.
If you’re thinking of buying a hatchback car soon, it’s likely that the Skoda Fabia will be on your shortlist. But, is it a model you should consider buying?
In today’s blog post, I run through the car’s main selling points. And I’ll also let you know what to expect (good or bad). Here is what you need to know:
What’s different from the previous generation?
There are plenty of engine and gearbox choices for the 2015 Skoda Fabia. Despite there being a plethora of fun and frugal options, there’s no vRS on the cards. That’s because the Czech car maker decided that it wasn’t worth the production expense.
The vRS only accounted for 3% of global sales! Instead, buyers can choose the sporty-looking “Monte Carlo” edition. But it won’t have sporty performance sadly. Also gone is the option to have factory navigation fitted. Again, poor sales of it on the outgoing model (1%) make it an unviable option to offer.
Engines and transmissions
As with the previous version, the 2015 Skoda Fabia will offer buyers plenty of choices under the bonnet. It’s likely that the most popular choice will be the 1.2-litre TSi engine. It boasts 88 or 108 brake horsepower, depending on the variant you choose.
Gone is the 1.6-litre engine. There’s also no mention of a 1.4-litre unit either. Instead, you’ll have to go for the diesel option if maximum displacement is your thing. And what about transmission choices? According to the www.rrg-group.com site, new Fabia owners can get a five-speed manual. They can also choose the seven-speed DSG.
The DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox) is more than “just an auto box.” It also lets you shift between all seven gears manually, with the exception that you don’t need to use a clutch pedal.
Stability on the road
One notable difference between this generation and the outgoing one is the handling. The new 2015 Skoda Fabia feels more stable on the road, thanks to the new MQB platform used by some of today’s VW Group cars.
The second-generation Fabia was notorious for feeling unstable at high speeds. This was due to the high centre of gravity the car had. Even the sporty vRS didn’t improve things a great deal. The good news is that those problems are a thing of the past with this new generation Fabia.
Equipment
New Fabia customers will be happy to learn that their cars come with a wealth of equipment as standard. For example, the entry-level “S” comes with a DAB digital radio and CD player. You’ll also feel safer, thanks to six airbags and stability control. You even get a tyre pressure monitoring system too!
On the face of it, the new 2015 Skoda Fabia offers plenty of exciting new features and styling for today’s drivers. But some might avoid the car, given that there’s no high-performance vRS option anymore.
