The new Skoda Fabia might have been quite a while coming, but it’s promising to be one of the best small cars around.
Now in its fourth-generation, Skoda pulled the wraps off its new supermini earlier this week, and it benefits from a raft of improvements compared to its predecessor which has been on sale since 2015.
Here are five things you need to know about it…
Based on a new platform that brings it up-to-speed with rivals
With Skoda being part of the Volkswagen Group, it’s able to make use of the wider firm’s various underpinnings. Previously, the Fabia was a bit behind sibling products from Seat and Volkswagen, but with the new model being based on the Group’s MQB A0 platform, it’s been brought truly up to speed.
You’re probably wondering what benefit this brings in the real world, and there are two main improvements. The first is space (which we’ll explore shortly) and the second is safety, with the new car having a more robust structure than its predecessor, while also being able to integrate improved driver assistance systems to keep you and your passengers safer.
Far more spacious than before
Though the outgoing Fabia is already quite a practical supermini, the latest Fabia is taking things up another level. That’s because it’s noticeably bigger than its predecessor, including 11cm longer and 5cm wider.
Just about all of that goes into making the cabin roomier than before, with Skoda promising a generous amount of rear seat space for a small car as well as a large 380-litre boot, which is up 50 litres on its predecessor, and one of the largest in this class.
Smart new interior
Perhaps the only area where the outgoing Fabia was showing its age was in its cabin, but that’s changing on this new model, which is available with a raft of new creature comforts and represents an uplift in quality.
All bar the entry-level S models will feature a fabric dashboard, while there are new chrome touches, such as for the door handles and air vent surrounds. New features such as a heated steering wheel and ambient LED lighting also help the cabin to feel more upmarket than before.
Class-leading aerodynamics
Aerodynamics play a big part in the efficiency of a car, and that’s why Skoda has put such a focus on this on its latest Fabia, with the firm achieving a best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.28 on the latest car – down from 0.32.
This is thanks to a range of improvements, including new ‘aero’ wheel designs, along with a larger rear spoiler and new cooling shutters in the front bumper that can regular airflow to maximise aerodynamics.
Range of new technology
Though the Fabia might be Skoda’s most affordable model, the new model certainly won’t be lacking when it comes to technology, with the firm introducing many features found in the brand’s more expensive cars.
There’s now a touchscreen measuring up to 9.2 inches available, which includes features such as gesture control and a new digital voice assistance service. A built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is also included. Elsewhere, Skoda has introduced a new 10.25-inch digital dial system for the first time, which can be configured in various ways, depending on the information you want it to display.
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