Skoda’s new baby has grown up with more technology, a bigger body, and a price tag that’s leapt deep into the $30,000 range.
The new Skoda Fabia will only be available in Monte Carlo Edition 150 guise when it arrives in Australia during August, priced from $37,990 drive-away.
In its runout guise, the now-superseded Fabia kicked off at $21,990 drive-away, and topped out at $29,120 drive-away for an optioned wagon.
However, Skoda Australia has previously said it would look to introduce cheaper Fabia grades from 2023, as stock situations allow.
The new Fabia is a much more grown-up beast than the model it replaces. In Monte Carlo Edition 150 trim it has more power than the previous range-topper, and the only options are hands-free parking assist ($1000) and premium paint ($500).
When it touches down, the Fabia will take on the refreshed Volkswagen Polo, along with larger (but similarly priced) cars such as the Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, and Kia Cerato.
It’s also encroaching on the territory occupied by the larger Scala, which features the same engine. In Monte Carlo guise, the Scala is currently priced at $38,990 drive-away.
Pricing
- 2023 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo Edition 150: $37,990 drive-away
Engine
The only engine on offer in the Fabia at launch will be a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol making 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque.
The same engine is offered in the Volkswagen Golf overseas, and isn’t available in the Volkswagen Polo locally.
The car is front-wheel drive as standard, and there’s no manual option. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is standard.
Fuel Economy
The Fabia uses a claimed 4.9 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, and has a 40L fuel tank.
95 RON premium unleaded petrol is required at a minimum.
Safety
The Skoda Fabia has a five-star Euro NCAP rating based on testing carried out in 2021.
It scored 85 per cent for adult occupant protection, 81 per cent for child occupant protection, 70 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 71 per cent for safety assist.
In Australia, a full suite of safety assists will be standard atop six airbags. That includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist detection
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control
- Parking-speed AEB in drive and reverse
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear-view camera
- Front, rear parking sensors
Dimensions
The Fabia’s body has grown significantly, with the new car measuring 4108mm long (up 111mm), 1780mm wide (up 48mm), 1459mm tall (down 13mm), and featuring a 2564mm wheelbase (an increase of 94mm).
Boot space is up 50 litres to 380L, and this expands to 1190L when the rear seats are folded down.
Servicing and Warranty
The Skoda Fabia has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. A five-year service pack will cost $1500, and a seven-year pack costs $2100.
Skoda also offers monthly payments for maintenance. Owners driving up to 15,000km per year can pay $49.50 per months for 36 months for a Complete Plan which covers consumables, or $34.50 per month over three years for an Essential Plan.
Standard Features
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- Space saver spare wheel
- Sport suspension with drive mode selection
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Gloss black exterior trim pieces
- Rear privacy glass
- Bi-LED headlights
- LED fog lights and tail lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Automatic headlights
- Keyless entry and start
- Electrically adjustable, heated, power-folding mirrors (auto-dimming driver)
- Sports front seats with integrated headrests
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Aluminium finish pedals, door sills
- Black headlining and pillars
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with factory satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger, four USB-C ports
- Six-speaker sound system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Dual-zone climate control
- Umbrella in driver’s door
MORE: Everything Skoda Fabia