Skoda Fabia Preview

Here's the Carzone.ie preview to the 2021 Skoda Fabia.

What's this?
This is the new Skoda Fabia, which follows the launch of the latest generation Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza, its platform-sharing siblings. A full 111mm longer and 48mm wider than the last Fabia, it now has more interior room and an impressive 380 litres of space in the boot with the seats up for all your stuff.

It also looks more premium than before, especially if you tick the boxes for things like the contrasting roof colour and fancy wheels.

If you’re expecting some form of electrification though then you’re out of luck with the new Fabia. Skoda has no plans to electrify it at this stage.

What will its rivals be?
The most obvious rivals are the Polo and Ibiza, both of which have traditionally felt more solid with higher quality materials than the Fabia, but you do have to pay more for them so that’s not surprising. Other options include the Renault Clio, Suzuki Swift and the Toyota Yaris, all of which are available as hybrids, although the mild hybrid tech of the Swift means it barely qualifies as such. Then there’s the regular favourite, the Ford Fiesta, although a new one is on the way in 2022.

Any tech info?
The tech continues to filter down from higher models, which means the Fabia can be equipped with things like a 10.25-inch configurable digital instrument display. There are three different infotainment screens that can now sit on top of the dash, ranging in size from 6.0- to 9.2 inches and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. There are a number of USB-C ports, and you can even opt to have wireless charging for your phone. It also can be fitted with adaptive cruise control for the first time, which is great if you do lots of motorway commuting.

What will the range be like?
For the first time, the Fabia will only be available with petrol engines. The majority will be 1.0-litre with various power outputs from 65- to 110hp and a choice of manual or dual-clutch auto gearboxes. The top of the range uses a 1.5-litre engine that generates 150hp and the seven-speed DSG gearbox. Trim lines all remain the same as in the previous model and while we don’t know exact pricing yet, expect it to be just a bit more than the outgoing generation.

Expectations?
The Skoda Fabia has always been a fantastic value for money offering and we expect that to continue when it arrives in Ireland towards the end of 2021. The latest generation adds more space, style and technology to make it even more appealing than ever before so we’re expecting great things of it when it goes on sale, and it should be a popular sight on our roads once again. 

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