Skoda Fabia review: how could VW let this happen?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2022
- The new Skoda Fabia has given Volkswagen a massive headache...here's why.
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It’s fair to say that today’s superminis are not the compact runabouts they once were. Always a popular choice for its mix of affordability, practicality and ease of use, the humble supermini has faced a new era of safety regulation, combined with buyers demanding improved quality, extra space and greater comfort. All of which has led to more sizeable models being designed and brought to market.
In fact, the breadth of skills on offer from established supermini rivals such as the Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio and Vauxhall Corsa mean that the gap between this segment and traditional family hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and VW Golf is closer than ever. With extra competition from its SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo stablemates, and the likes of the Hyundai i20, Mazda 2, Peugeot 208 and Toyota Yaris offering strong appeal, Skoda’s fourth-generation Fabia certainly has its work cut out.
Lucky then, that the five-door Czech supermini benefits from using the same MQB-A0 platform as its Polo and Ibiza cousins. This architecture also underpins Skoda’s Scala family car and Kamiq small SUV, and its lightness helps to keep the Fabia’s weight roughly the same as its predecessor’s. Sounds promising, but how does the Fabia compare to its arch nemesis, the Volkswagen Polo? Nicola Hume finds out.
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The catch is that casual buyers are easily swayed by brand names and badges. 90% of the people in this segment wouldn't even know how similar the two cars are. And don't expect the dealers to point them out toward the cheaper car.
It even looks better! I'd never consider getting a vw over skoda.
@@justynawisniewska1213 So much better! I mean, I am Škoda fan, but still... it's simply clever and better car.
Agreed. I had a VW Passat and then a Skoda Superb company cars and a can honestly say apart from little quality feature like a better interior and more plastic in the Skoda, it was by far the better car out of the two. The Skoda drove better, bigger roomier and just felt more solid. Ok compared too the Passat the interior was more luxurious but that was it. Yep give me a Superb any day..
@Kicabran Ticta Then explain why there are Octavia's with well over 500k on the clock; and one has hit the million. Skoda are up there with the rest now; and just as good and well built.
@Kicabran Ticta Former Skoda mechanic here. No they won't. The cars share almost all their parts. And I don't just mean engines, electronics and transmission. The interior shares soooo many parts. From door handle to shifter to light switch its all the same stuff.
I have the Skoda Scala.
It is also on the Polo platform, but Skoda has stretched it so that it competes with the Golf in terms of length. That means maximum interior space with the weight of a small car.
Oh yes, in construction sites with narrow lanes I just slip through, but I often get annoyed when the wide SUV in front of me has problems getting through.
A full tank of fuel has a range of more than 900 km, consumption less than 5 liters per 100 km.
I have the 2013 Škoda Rapid, the Scalas predecessor. Can confirm, relatively compact on the outside but huge on the inside
This is happening to some extent across the range too. Kamiq is a better car than the T cross. More spacious, nicer interior. Octavia and Kodiaq also probably as good if not better than their VW equivalents. Enyaq smashes the ID4 all over the park and then eats it’s lunch for good measure too. Skoda as a rule are now producing better cars than VW even if you take price aside. Madness.
I'm on my second Kamiq. Both brilliant. Why so few of them around.??
@@jimviv6030 Probably because Skoda can hardly make any due to component shortages. Also I suspect it’s a little in between in size. It sort of hedges small suv and family suv segments. It’s easily best in its segment all round for value and quality. But I suspect many people feel it’s either slightly too big or too small for their needs and step up and down as appropriate.
@@zappybazinga8124 great car but oddly for a Skoda it looks like the rear is chopped off
Oi... dont you talk down the octavia! Haha
@@mdiciaccio87 Octavia is better than a golf 8. I switched with no regret
The Fabia looks like a good proposition indeed. Good to see Skoda continuing on the right path. Thanks for the great review Nicola!
@@markthoughtswithukrainemas2072 and who are you?
@@markthoughtswithukrainemas2072 Excuse me? Who are you?
Thanks Nicola, you always give an honest review and that's really important when someone is struggling to decide what car to buy, especially if on a budget! 👍😊
Having driven skoda for a few years in the past (loved my Yeti) I think Skoda have been out doing all the VW sister brands (maybe not Audi) for many years now. So much more space, better specs and interiors are usually better designed too. A lot more useful with hidden wee tricks and extras such as the ice scraper, the umbrella etc. In my eyes will always buy Skoda over VW unless it's a classic Golf GTI haha. Another great review Nicola. 👏
I went from a VW Passat to a Skoda Superb company car and the Skoda was by far the better car. Not quite as luxurious but overall a much better car..
What about seat
@@wakaflockaproject Seat is good and doing better with their interiors than VW badged sister cars.
@@jamesmccormack3229 which is better built and more reliable out of seat and Skoda
@@wakaflockaproject in my experience they are pretty closely matched, I prefer Skoda’s interiors
This was exactly what I thought of MK2 Fabia in its day. It launched a while before Polo MK5 and if you drove both - the fabia was chunkier and significantly more practical than polo mk4…it felt more comfy than lower and mid spec mk5s!
But from 2017 to 2021 Polo was a much better car because it was build on the new MQB platform (bigger, more sophisticated) that Fabia just got. The previous Fabia was smaller and outdated for 4 years while the Polo was the one presented here with different bumpers
@@brudamoj738 my Fabia2 was a 2008 car so 9 whole years before MQB Polo that you mention😬….that’s a long time to wait for the flagship car to be the nicer one; kinda reinforces the weirdness of the situation
We bought it the MPI 1.4 back on 0ctober 2007 in a beautiful cappuccino grey it breaks my heart to admit that our ford Fusion 1.4 January of 2009 stood better in the test of time. Conclusion: skoda was sold due to electrical issues and I transferred the ownership of Ford's to my sister. Me? Got to the abroad no car for the next three years not even driving but now back of the steering wheel of a Kia e Soul (my happy pink Hippo 🦛) at work
@@loufadoros20 the electrics are definitely annoying..especially ABS sensors. Somehow mine had its moods when 6-8 yrs then just resolved its issues :-D and the critical stuff all works - A/C especially. 1 issue I thought was unique to these was the failing door lock...till I drove a few mk5 Golfs with the same issue. I still keep the car because its suspension is great for rough roads (has the rough-road-pack) and 1.4 MPI engine runs forever on the cheap; great secondary car for harsh environments. Yeah the small Fords of that era are still looking very sorted - for smooth roads I believe you that they were the better buy long-term, my long-term situation is likely unique with the need for the rough-road pack.
Nice review. Greetings from Czech Republic 🇨🇿
It also has physical climate controls...
Win win
One of the most important bits!
Yep, none of that touch screen heater control nonsense. Distracting and dangerous when driving. Lot safer to just reach across to physical controls without taking your eyes off the road.
Absolute brilliant review.
My wife has an octavia and now considering a fabia.
Hi Kevin. Did you go ahead with the Octavia to Fabia switch. We are considering the same thing and would love to know if you are missing the Octavia.
I just bought the SE L version of the fabia with the 108hp DSG. quite a quick nippy little car. great drive too!
Our daughter has the 2018 model. A great car and we've had several VW's, so can comment regarding the quality.
A very comfortable car, with plenty of passenger room. I'm six foot and can sit comfortably in the rear. Plenty of extras. Nice dash and a high level of standard equipment.
She has the lowest powered version, but there are three engines of the 1.0 litre size and it's not difficult to get it chipped if you want more power.
I've been a Skoda convert for a while now. I had a diesel MkII Superb Estate for many years & did over 160k miles in it when I was working. It was better than my previous Audi A6. Currently I'm driving a MkIII Superb 280 Estate which is powerful & practical with 4WD as standard. Last year my wife traded in her Fiat 500 (which I refused to drive) for a Karoq 1.5 auto 4 x 4 Edition with Pano roof & loves it - & I do to. Both are cracking cars & very practical. We bought both cars used at 2 years old & neither has put a foot wrong. Now we are retired we will probably have to cut back to a single car soon so my older Superb will probably be the one to go & we will share the Karoq between us. The 1.5 Karoq is no slouch & I like driving it but I will very much miss the acceleration of my 360hp Superb!
It's no surprise to me that the Fabia gets such a good review from you (and elsewhere), it's cheaper & has more space & better spec than the equivalent VW - it's what Skoda does with most of their cars.
When you said you trade the Fiat 500 for a Skoda I knew it your life is pretty boring...
Why I bought the Ibiza FR with the 115hp engine back in 2018, better car than the equivalent Polo and cheaper, never been a badge snob even though I also ride a Ducati😀. Certainly look at a Fabia next time.
Yea its funny people pretend VW is different to Skoda or Seat. Its the same damn car, and to be frank usually the latter two brands make much better looking and more interesting cars.
In 2019 I both a Polo and I was considering the Ibiza FR or the Polo Highline. I chose Polo for the same price it was a no brainer
Ibiza is in a no way comparable with Polo, it is the worst car from this trio. You must know nothing about cars if you did not notice the difference in build quality between Polo and Ibiza in 2018. Few examples:
1. Polo has soft touch dash (inportant for sound insulation
2. Polo has hood dampening (less engine noise in cabin
3. Polo has REAL leather steering wheel, Ibiza has some plasticy imitation that feels awfully worse under your hands
4. Ibiza does not have vent opening adjustments (0-closed to 1-fullu opened)
5. Ibiza does not have glovebox dampening
6. Ibiza armrest space is not coverd in velvet
7. Ibiza does not offer 2.0 engine
8. Ibiza does not have LED illumination lights in the cabin
And much more... it was certainly a worse car in 2018. They improved some things with the redesign this year, like the soft plasric dash and real leather steering but it is still a no match for the Polo.
The only advantage Ibiza had back then was the standard full LED lights FR trim got, while Polo Highline got only the daytime LED lights
My dad had a similar Ibiza, it's seriously good to drive and has super sharp steering. And it's still comfortable and quiet enough IMO. The Fabia is probably gonna be a downgrade if you like a sporty little hatch.
As soon as I get in my car I'm going to twiddle the heater controls 'yes, yes, yes.... yes , yes, yes'. Thanks for another fun and informative review. My only minor niggle is the front end of current Skodas... they just seem a bit anonymous.
Anonymous ? Not sure thats even important, I dont see the front when im driving and it doesnt bother me what other drivers on the road think either.
@@oddities-whatnot Cool. Everyone's different. I like my cars to have a little bit of personality.
I have my skodia fabia 8 years now,never broke down and has allmost 200.000 kms and i use 4.5 l per 100kms benzine.
Huge congratulations to Skoda right from the very top down. They've had a supreme mindset from day 1 of their new life, with their new family. I had 2003 Superb which was a wonderful car in every way.
And first Superb generation was cripled by VW as they was scared that Superb will compete too much with VW flagship Passat and VW prohibited Škoda to make Superb combi for that reason. In China first Škoda Superb was selling as VW Passat, only logos was changed.
@@jirikocman Interesting, thanks.
I've had my Fabia Colour Edition for about 6 weeks now, and the biggest compliment I can pay it is that I'm not missing my Fabia VRS - even without cruise control.
I've got the 110 hp version, and I am very satisfied. In my country, it costs about 18,000 euros.
Skoda should have kept the citigo and small diesels. 70mpg a few years back is 50mpg now at a time when petrol prices have gone nuts.
The bad news is that some large cities have begun banning diesels from their city centres now. Paris and Berlin have done this, and others will doubtless follow in time...
Ecology
i do about 60 mpg on the motorway with my 2L diesel 2017 superb which tops the scale at 2 tons
The Skoda ranGe wins hands down against the VW range. If it wasn’t for the Golf fans I’m not sure if VW would justify its depth of range. If you don’t want to drive a Skoda, find Audi money
VAG seem to want a foot in every single segment. How else can you explain Cupra as a separate brand ?
And honestly the new Kodiaq can even compete with Audis such as the Q5(in my opinion). New Skodas are truly brilliant cars. You can’t get anything better for the price.
In India we have Skoda Slavia which is a Sedan equipped with the same 1L-3sylinder engine producing 114bhp and 178Nm of torque and the cheapest variant costs around 13,500 British Pound.
I enjoyed watching the Video Review. I personal view Is that It looks smart Inside and out and I actually do like the New Larger Infotainment System
Awesome review! The mood just fits with the Fabia 🙂
Currently driving the 2017 Fabia. A cracking car.
I’ve owned Audis, VWs and Skodas. Skoda makes some very nice products all packed with VW technology. If you can get past the badge, you’ll have a good experience with them. I found the Audis to be more stylish inside and out. But the Skoda dealers were far better hands down. Fabia looks great.
I’ve had 2 fabia estate cars, a 2009 1.4 tdi and a 2017 1.4 tdi. Both were fantastic and economical. Never had issues with them. Just wish they still did Diesel engines in them.
I was thinging about 1.4 TDI for Wife in Octavia III. We was buying used one, but we got 1.0TSI 85kW, it absurd. That engine in OIII is much more capable than 1.6CDRi in Hyundai i30 and it have less fuel consumption. With 1.6CDRi or even old 1.9TDI, I was at average 6 litres/100km no matter where i drive. That 85kw 1.0 TSI in Octavia is little under 6l/100km on highways, but in city or crosscountry, with speed limits in mind, it is between 4 and 5 litres/100km. Sometimes my wife do something under 4l/100km when she goes to office.
No more TDI :)
Another professional presentation that makes me smile too
6:00 that smirk on her face and then dancing off the screen with umbrela (umbrela in door i think only had bentley, correct me if im wrong so thats a rly neat luxurious feature) ... priceless! and yes i been saying this for a while now too... skoda is cheaper then vw and at some points even better at it(like for example the boot space) while under hood and at interior is basicaly the same. not sure but i also belive the cost ofr maintance and repair has same price range as vw aswell if not cheaper(somebody pls check that out). Glad other ppl starting to notice about Skoda and VW too. p.s. nice review i liked it. All important and interesting information has been delivered.
I had the first Skoda Fabia and it was again 64bhp. 20 years later we have this. I guess perfect things should not change :D
Ms Hume, you are truly a very watchable presenter! Top Gear presenter of the future!
More 5th Gear than Top Gear.
GORGEOUS PRESENTATION.
Why do these people think the only ways to judge a car is acceleration times and how fast it’ll go round corners 😮
Because a lot of people don't want to rev the bolts out the engine to get it to go anywhere. I had a 90BHP Clio a few years ago and it was awful. I had to pull away from traffic lights a 3k revs. My 140BHP Fiesta eases off at 1k revs, smoothly and briskly.
@@lowfeelsblvd I actually think it's a lot of fun to rev the crap out of an underpowered engine, but that might just be me... 😅
Fun only if it sounds nice at the top end 😝
I mean, with the speeds of modern cars sadly slow acceleration is becoming more of a liability...at least here in America even the cheapest small cars do 0-60 around 12s otherwise you'll get obliterated by a semi while trying to merge 🤣
Because you need acceleration to overtake, to pull out quicky of a situation
Yes acceleration is important.
Save your money, buy the Dacia Sandero comfort Bi-fuel. Built on the latest Clio platform and engine.
I got mine for £11995 , I save a fortune running it on LPG . 100 bhp. It's brilliant.
( I had a citigo before )
Guy where I servicing my Ford saying, rarely You can see a Skoda in his workshop, but VW, Audi and BMW are quite common visitors. He pointed out, that workforce in Skoda really care to produce cars without faults.
It's purely my own theory, but since the day Volkswagen bought Skoda, I've often thought the people at Skoda probably felt they had something to prove......and they're still proving it. The cars produced by Skoda, stand comparison with any others in the same price bracket. And the one thing you *always* read in Skoda road tests, is how good they are to drive......
Broscience
How could this be possible, if we know that VW and Škoda have completely identical engines, as well as most parts of the suspension.
This suggests that Skoda build quality is higher than Volkswagen, right now. Odd but true
@@krunobrzi666 ...just attention to details. Like in some fomment above, in Skoda plant management and workforce (mostly Czech and Poles) are willing to remove stigma of poor quality cars from Eastern Block countries, as Skoda is one of the very first car manufacturers on the planet. This is kinda heritage.
Builders, plumbers, etc are also building from standardised elements, parts but quality of finished project is often to how good things are assembled.
In 2019 I was looking at upgrading from a 14 6r polo to a new one, scoda fabia was cheeper by a few $$$$ but it was like hoping back into a 2014 model polo where as the 2019 polo was way newer inside without the old dash from the previous polo
Exactly, Polo in 2019 was using the platform Skoda just got it. So for 4 years Polo was a way way better and bigger car. Only now, in 2022 you can somehow compare them
Great review. Lovely great voice and delivery. Sound quality is up there. Just don't grab the steering wheel from the inside 🙃
After owning 2 Fabia's over the past 21 years, I can vouch for the fact the Fabia is a great small car and has many hidden strengths. My good lady always buys Fiestas. She's had 7 or 8 of them over the past 30 years. The Fabia is *way* better built and screwed together. I'd take a Fabia over a Polo, simply because I know it'd be every bit as good as the Polo, for less money...... And the latest Fabia looks quite stylish too. I've thought for a while that current Skoda build quality beats VW's own in a few areas now....... It still amazes me though, that some will still dismiss a Skoda on the grounds of brand alone. Who gives a Donald Duck what others think of your car? You buy a car to suit *you* not someone else....... My neighbours live in a £500k bungalow. They bought 2 new Skoda's a couple of years ago. A Superb and a Fabia Estate.
As a 2019 Polo owner I never considered Fabia for 3 reasons.
1.Since 2017 Polo was on tje MQB platform while Fabia got it in 2021, previously it was a much smaller car on an old platform.
2. Skoda is driven by taxi and as a company vehicle.
3. In slavic languages Skoda means HARMFUL, it kinda ruins the image of the car
@@BrateTebra123 not all slavic languages, i mean it is brand from Czech Republic and here it doesnt mean harmful. Thats kinda stupid not consider something cause its name that was made almost 100years ago mean something "bad" in some language 😅
@@BrateTebra123 Skoda does not mean harmful. It means "pity". But that is just a coincidence. The name Škoda was exactly that - a name.
@@erikziak1249 thankd for clarifying that. In my language Skoda means TO BE HARMFUL. For example -Skodi pusiti- (it is harmful to smoke). I was refering to that. Also over here Skoda is driven as a corporate car and taxi. It does not have a reputation of a good brand, and sorry but if I give 20.000€+ for a B segment car zi want to make a statement
@@BrateTebra123 Mercedes are used as taxis as well, so what? Does that makes Mercedes a bad car manufacturer?! What kind of logic is that?
Suprisingly fresh review! :) Thank you for it!
And a little btw from Nitpicker´s Corner: Nevermind Fabia..Fahbia or Phobia! :-D But alway Shkoda!😉💪🤘
I agree with the comments on cost. New car prices are now insane...😮
I have a Fabia Mk 3 Combi and I am very happy with it. Great all round car!
I'd never buy a VW (or BMW for that matter), and Ford are on the slide pretty much everywhere in Europe. This Fabia just ticks a lot of boxes for a reasonable price, and for many would be a great town runabout. At the moment, Skoda still seem to be grounded in reality, which is nice to see. Not everyone wants to spend £20k more on a BEV or a few thousand more just for the badge. Long may common sense prevail!
Here in Australia we are only being offered the Monte Carlo version with the 110 TSI engine, similar price to an i20 N. Seems reasonably well specified but no rear centre arm rest, and maybe no front cup holders. No pano sunroof either
All fabiad have front cup holders
I have the colour edition in Race Blue. Its a bit bigger than the previous Fabia but I,m getting used to it.
It was the same with the Citigo verses Up!. We have had 2 x Citigo’s in better “black” spec. Indeed because the rear boot lid is metal (not all glass) the magnetic “L Plate” went on and off much easier. Having said that just got the new Polo in R spec as it has the sporty look of “GTI” but still retains the smaller hp engine so is cheap to insure.
Yes but you have to have a Skoda badge on the front and back🙂 I just made a comment about that above. My wife drives a Citigo which has more power yet cost less in road tax (it is actually £0 despite being ICE) than my colleagues VW Up. However he does have the prestige of a VW badge and glass tailgate 🙂
OMG I love your presenting style! But yeah, I live in the US where we don't get Skodas but I wish we did. They're like the VW for smart people.
Driving 22 yrs old Fabia mk1 1.4 mpi deluxe version. Best car even. Slow but reliable after all those years.
In India Fabia comes as a sedan, name slavia......I own 1......it has 1.5 turbo Mt and it's an amazing machine and there are some differences like we get 10 inch screen and we have beige colour leather apolstry
This is a very exciting video for someone who wants to buy a fabia 🤔
I have a 2021 run out Fabia Combi / Wagon manual and love it. Combi is not available on the VW or Audi product.
I have been driving a Skoda fabia 2 since 2012 , it's a beautiful car.... Functional and reliable
Loved the review and the reviewer.
I thought she was dreadful and whilst watching I thought if ever I see her reviewing a car again I will switch it straight off.
@@HoxtonHotspur she was nice and to the point.
4:44 The Polo loses out in this aspect because the Polo now has touch sliders for climate, despite them being still in the lower section of the dashboard like in the Fabia
Not true. Touch sliders in Polo are only in the top top trim that no one orders as it becomes as expensive as Golf then
German car makers are on a very wrong path, and this comment comes from a German. Quality is no longer what it used to be, design is boring and cars are really expensive.
Meanwhile French car makers are levelled up their game big time since 2012.
Peugeot , particularly, can't stop releasing top cars (quality is top, they do absolutely excellent in safety tests in all European countries, design is top, futuristic and they make interiors that put the Germans to shame).
Peugeot 208, 308, 3008 are the very best cars in their respective categories. Check out their very new 408. What a car. Looks like a Lamborghini Urus.
Same can be said about DS Automobiles. Check out the DS4 or the brand new DS7 2022 Facelift. Top top top cars.
The British like to trash talk French cars but sorry, stop living in the past : it's no longer justified.
And French cars are less expensive than their German counterparts, usually 10.000 or 15 000 less expensive.
That makes a huge difference in this inflation hit era.
Here in Germany ( I live near Hamburg) , I see more and more French cars and that is logical and justified. There is a lot of anger here toward German car makers. They don't deliver anymore what they are supposed to , and prices are way too high just to get the badge.
After the 405 Estate I had back in the early 90's, nothing on this earth would make me buy a French car ever again. I'd sooner sit on a large cactus for a week than own a Peugeot again. I rarely went 3 months without a fault developing. That car was a financial liability....
Just switch from 2019 VW Polo to a 2022 Peugeot 208. What a change!
Quieter ride, much more comfortable, punchier 3 cylinder engine, much better kit for less money and the build quality and attention to details is top notch. No wonder 208 beats Polo in sales by a mile. Also won the Car of the Year award. The only thing Polo was better was boot space and practicality.
REAL TALK from an owner that owned two current models that are direct competitors
@@Brian-om2hh Brian, your comment is just RIDICULOUS. Absolutely grotesque. I would be embarrassed to have posted such rubbish. You mention a Peugeot you owned in the 90's...... the 90's..... 30 years ago.... 3 decades.... Hey, wake up and smell the coffee now ! It's 2022 ! Hello ! French cars are just excellent and they do excellent in all safety tests in all Europe, I know that because I very carefully checked out all datas available in Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium and Austria. French cars are excellent. What a dinosaur you are, Brian. I wonder what it is with so many Brits that are uncapable to switch off from the past and accept that the world is changing, that companies, people change, etc... French cars have greatly improved, it's just absurd to change their 2022 models based on the 90's.
My thoughts exactly when two years ago I wanted to buy a new car. I test drove the Golf and it was nice but at the same price (24.000€) I could buy Skoda Octavia, so I chose the far bigger and more practical Skoda. 20.000km up to now and everything works fine. Nowadays I tend to like Mazda cars and philosophy. I would like in the near future to trade my Octavia for a CX-30 or CX-5.
@@Venakis1 Please go to a show room and try a CX30. I think you will be disappointed in some aspects like the seating position and seat comfort in comparison to Octavia. Also engines are not so punchy and the view from the driver perspective is disturbed by large A B and C pillars as well as narrow windows
I like that you pointed out the comparison with jeans; it's true; there's a lot of badge snobbery still to this day, I've had people got to get in front of me just because my car is a Skoda; and you can tell it was for no other reason because they didn't pass the Audi in front of me.
What do you think about the 150hp version?
Best way to describe it is like Gucci being VW and Skoda being Primark plus the VW will be worth more in the future.
That's a terrible way to describe it
VW like Gucci? Yeah sure bro 🤣
If Skoda is Primart, VW is more like Marks and Spencers. Maybe Audi is more the Gucci kind of car marque.
They're a lot closer than you think nowadays. It's really like skoda is Adidas and VW are Nike.
I suppose you could also say Dacia is more like Aldi or lidl 😂
Looks great.
One of my favourite cars in this class .most of Skoda car's are more stylish than rivals in my opinion.
Do the seats fold flat? In either?
I'm liking Nicola's energy in this video!
Would choose this over a focus and a golf. SEL spec silver 1.0 TSI 110ps
1. Polo has matrix led and a continuous led bar in front
2. has a openable roof
3. engine is better isolated
4. for me Interior is more modern
5. has passenger Center Airbag
they have the same engines just depends what you pick
@@nemos9856 yes but the engine is still better isolated on polo , it’s affirmed
Polo has also infotainment with a higher resolution and crisper image , better reversing camera
Polo GTI is like 60hp stronger then Fabia Monte Carlo
Polo has soft touch plastics on the dash
I do like the fabia,just a shame you cant get a glass roof and heated seats together,I have both on my fiesta
Actually, this has been going on for a while and judging by what I see on the road, VW has been 'losing' quite some sales to Skoda. Unlike Dacias being pretty bland, basic and offering very limited engine choices, VW gives skodas pretty much all the bells and whistles of the main brand, plus the lower price and, I think, better-looking exterior.
Its a win win for VAG group
Skoda used to be bland and basic, and like Dacia, very inexpensive. Then they moved from the men-in-sheds market to doctors and other middle class professionals, and were no longer cheap. Dacia will follow a similar trajectory, indeed a basic spec Duster has doubled in price since its introduction, and gone up 40% within the same iteration.
@@borderlands6606 Dacia stepway is 5000-6000 pounds cheaper than the Skoda! That’s a huge deal!
@@superbalaur1297 Yes, but if you track prices of the Sandero/ Stepway in the last decade, you'll see big rises with each iteration. Cars that started out as utilitarian and inexpensive inevitably go upmarket because that's where profit margins are. In 10 years Dacia will be a mainstream brand like Skoda with prices to match.
@@borderlands6606 I know but the original poster doesn’t seem to understand that. People keep on bashing Dacia being bland and basic and what not while comparing it with cars that cost double the money!!!
If you compare like for like, the Fabia and Polo are the same price, that being said, I think the Fabia might be slightly better still, especially in Monte Carlo
One thing that is worth mentioning is the much higher depreciation that the Skoda is likely to experience due to the badge
I had the 2022 Monte-Carlo 1.0 DSG. Loved that car. It was quality and sad to see it go.Not too fussed on the new shape though.
So this is a Fabia of model year 2023? Or perhaps 2022? When did they start with this generation? From 2021?
Nicola is still my best Car reviewer!
Actually, you're buying an umbrella, and getting a free car thrown in. I'm now on my fourth Fabia. Great cars!
Great review finally a car review giving the information needed. Top gear is a joke its all about them. Thanks for a real car review.
The wife and I specced up a Polo and Fabia, we went with the Polo.
Yes the Fabia is cheaper on the tin however if you spec it like for like to a Polo it works out around the same RRP. As a result you end up worse off in the Fabia due to its faster depreciation.
I’m not knocking the Fabia however, it’s a lovely car. I think it’s important though to recognise there’s more difference between the two than meets the eye.
Here in Czech Republic, Škoda, especially lower models keeps its value lot better. I saw some videos when you can buy Škoda Superb Combi II in good condition for 2/3 of local used market price. Crazy. Anyway. Here you will sell Škoda quickly and for more than similar specs and conditions VW.
But take in account that Czech Republic is paradise of used cars. My wife bought 2017 Octavia III this year, I sell my i30 from 2009 with some engine problems and keep wifes Fabia II from 2008. 14yrs old car. And it is selling like hot cakes here. Fabia II models are worth 3-4 grand Quid here. It is close to what you can pay for Superb II in UK. Cars from same date...
Based on my own experience it will also be significantly better built than a Polo, puzzling as that may seem.
My first Fabia (2001) also had those nifty little touches you didn't find on many others cars at the time, let alone a Polo. It had that useful little clip on the driver's door pillar to hold parking tickets, and a little sliding storage drawer under each front seat. There were also little pockets on the side of each front seat, just the right size to hold a phone. My first 2001 Fabia was also one of the first cars I'd seen with little hooks in the boot to hang carrier bags on.....
I'd take the SEAT Ibiza over the Polo and the Fabia. The FR Sport looks the part and comes with great spec.
I see where you're coming from. But not everyone is a fan of Seat's slightly stiffer suspension and ride quality. It's no secret that Seat is aimed at younger buyers though....
The Polo and Fabia really aim for the same type of drivers. Seat and Audi have their own approaches
Ibiza has the worst build quality od the three
I got a Desire Red Fr Sport 1.5TSI 18"rims for my wife . Car is planted in the corners. It s a joy to drive and it can definitely keep up with much faster cars on b roads.
I got it for my wife as she loved how it looks compared to the polo and Fabia and she is very happy with it.
Yeah i terior build quality is plasticky but it makes up with how it drives and looks for her.
VW Polo has reached its end cycle in India. High time the group reintroduces the Skoda Fabia in India which was an absolute hit.
Slavia is a Fabia with an extended boot
@@Dennis56781000 looks nicer as well
Kushaq is a fabia that's lifted off the ground.
We have had a couple of skoda's over the last few years. My brother in law has VW's but I prefer my car to his any day of the week
Thanks Nicola but as you stated briefly its not a Fiesta which has in my humble opinion far superior handling for a 1ltr 3 cylinder turbo engine. And its fine interior and communications set up works. So no I'd have neither of these except maybe on price limitations and then the Fabia looks the part.
where are the respective factories for these models ?
Lovely host, nice review
I have a previous model Fabia, Monte Carlo edition. I have to say, all my friends with polos are jealous. For the same money as a standard spec polo, I have a great spec. Works for me as a young professional with a city commute.
I went with the Seat Ibiza. IMHO best looking of the bunch and affordable. BUT the Fabia is getting better.
Same for my wife. Ibiza FR sport 1.5TSI with the 18" rims and car is planted in corners. Definitely it s the sportier one out of the 3 brothers and best looking imo
I like reviews about the new Fabia. But actually between the third Fabia and the Polo are some differences, and quite big one. The feeling inside is in Polo much more "sport" and the audio is something much more different (Skoda has so weak audio normally). But Fabia is cheaper and still good too. Both are cars for normal people and for this are very good
But the last time I looked at Skoda's website, there was an option to upgrade the audio for those whom thought it necessary...
Audio in Polo is top notch as a standard. I switched from 2019 Polo to a 2021 Peugeot 208 and that was a downgrade regarding the audio
I have my 2. Skoda, as has my daughter. My sister has one too. We are all very satisfied with the Skoda cars, and yes, one on one the Skodas win against the VWs.
Reliability ?
Nicer front interior than both the Polo and Golf MK8
Im after a newer car to keep long term and the Fabia does indeed look a good proposition. I dont mind which version, 95, 110, manual or DSG if the price is right. Comfort and value, good MPG without going hybrid and a characterful engine.
I didn’t even get the umbrella option for my VW Arteon, and the price tag for the Arteon is over 56k $
How will the lower powered Fabia get you there late? with 20 mph limits all over the place
It goes even up the levels - not just VW brand - I have both a Skoda Octavia Technology Estate and an Audi A4 Avant Sport Ultra (both DSG Auto, both turbo diesel). Whilst the Audi feels a tiny bit more refined and has a bigger engine (and is meant to be one level up, based on the B platform, this iteration being B9), that's the only thing going for it. The infotainment in the Audi is just annoying - why can't it show Radio Text on the DAB screens without me having to dig into a menu? And there's lots of things Skoda adds to their vehicles by default, that is just plain missing on the Audi (like how much AdBlue is left in the tank - I have to use an ODBii dongle to find that out on the Audi - it's on the menu in the Skoda). The Skoda also has a much bigger boot, more space inside, and also doesn't have a comedy battery that requires you to go to an Audi dealer to get it swapped.
Nice review thanks Nicola but why do you permanently sound surprised? 😂😊
I’m looking forward to getting my DSG MONTE CARLO. Should be soon.
It’s a fact that Skoda do really make every car you’ll ever need…
…apart from a V8 but that’s it.
Skoda after reading Your comment: A V8 coupe it is
In the Netherlands the Polo gets more features and the Skoda has more power in a similar price comparison.
Still no 1.5 tsi for Fabia , if you want a small car it's 110hp what you get. A turbocharged 3cyl , or you pay us extra for the "premium" Audi A1 🥶🥶🥶
I think the 1.5 Tsi is on the way.....
The 1.5tsi would probably go into a VRS Fabia, if they make another that is
Not true. There's a 1.5TSI 150ps Monte Carlo, albeit with standard DCT.
Fabia was a better option in the previous generation too. For the same money, higher trim levels and a more powerful engine were offered. The same is true for leon and golf, similar car but more trim for same money.
Can someone compare the mpg actually achieved on real driving conditions between the skoda fabia 79bhp vs volkswagen 79bhp equivalent model, i have a feeling the volkswagen might be slightly better in terms of real life mpg.
Hey i sort of work for the VW group and...guys, girls, just buy a Skoda. Or a used audi, but seriously buy Skoda
And avoid anything from seat, at that point look for Cupra
Shame there’s still no vRS. A 2 litre diesel and sports suspension would be fantastic in this car.
It will never happen trust me
The skoda fabia does not have virtual cockpit polo of the new polo 6 According to tests in fast driving the polo 6 has a more sporty chassis than the skoda. The engine of the DSG version is the same but on the polo it gives an impression of greater performance
Fabia models are so badly specced that become ridiculously expensive once you start picking from the options list. Even top of the range models are a joke when it comes to standard equipment
I manage the car pool of my employer and we use Audi and Skoda.
The Skodas are incredible workhorses and, unlike Audi, we rarely have any mechanical problems with them.
The worst was a defect window swiper on a 2016 superb.