2023 Skoda Fabia review: International first drive

8.1/10Score

Things we like

• Dynamics and comfort balance
• Fuel economy
• Sharp styling throughout

Not so much

• Three-pot rev-hang
• Laggy transmission
• No paddleshifters

8.1/10Score

Things we like

• Dynamics and comfort balance
• Fuel economy
• Sharp styling throughout

Not so much

• Three-pot rev-hang
• Laggy transmission
• No paddleshifters

It might be hard to believe, but the 2022 Skoda Fabia is the most expensive new Skoda money can buy, and if you want to own an example of the fourth-generation range-topper it’ll cost you about $325,000.

We would have to agree that’s a little outside most compact hatchback budgets but the factory-built R5 variant is equipped with all-wheel drive, a 214kW turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder, and a roll cage, to list a few of its more compelling features.

If you don’t necessarily need to compete in the FIA WRC 2 rally category, however, then the Monte Carlo that’s arriving on Australian shores in the third quarter of this year may be a little more suitable. But if that’s still a bit pricey with an estimated price of about $30,000 then what about this?

Positioned below the 1.5-litre four-cylinder version, the 81 TSI is fitted with the 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder found in the current run-out version for improved fuel efficiency and, perhaps more importantly, a sharper price. It’s not quite confirmed for Australia yet but it’s likely it’ll join the family in 2024.

“There is scope to expand the range but not in the first year of sale,” says Skoda Australia. But we hope it does, because this more accessible version of the all-new Fabia makes light work of some big-car duties.

During a week with the smallest member of the Skoda line-up, I covered almost 1000km, making the trip from Prague to Vienna and back again, plus a variety of short blasts in between. The impression it left is one of a much larger car and that this little hatch has never felt more grown-up.

Australia’s road rules might have you believe that a five-door with just three cylinders under its bonnet would be a deathtrap on Europe’s 130km/h limit (plus a bit) freeways but the 81 TSI is incredibly capable at demolishing distance.

Its seven-speed dual-clutch auto has the perfect ratios for optimising the prominent torque at lower speeds, and while overtaking becomes a bit more of an effort near the speed limit, it has the legs for comfortable cruising.

During a week with the smallest member of the Skoda line-up, the impression is of a much larger car and this little hatch has never felt more grown-up

At lower speeds, the 81 TSI’s engine and transmission are calibrated for more relaxed progress. The full 200Nm of torque is developed quickly, making for rapid progress but a reluctance to rev combined with a little rev-hang at higher engine speeds removes any hope that this version might moonlight as a baby RS, along with an occasionally laggy and flustered transmission made more obvious by the lack of shift paddles. It’s a shame because the Fabia’s chassis really shines.

Steering responsiveness is a treat, the Fabia has an obedient front end, it’s light on its feet and there’s heaps of grip from the Michelin Primacy 3 rubber – particularly in the wet. But easily its strongest virtue is economy. Skoda claims a combined figure of 5.5L/100km and even with a week of decidedly ambitious driving style loaded with luggage and enthusiasm, the little Skoda still managed a figure of 6.2L/100km.

In Skoda’s ranks, the Style specification is about the entry-to-mid-point of the range, but there’s still lots of equipment when applied to the Fabia. Australian specifications may differ, but ours had 17-inch wheels, heating for the steering wheel and front seats, a 10.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, 9.2-inch central touchscreen, LED headlights and a dusting of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ touches about the car too.

We particularly liked the windscreen ice scraper hiding in the fuel flap, device holders for rear passengers and USB-C charge port behind the rear-view mirror for powering a dashcam.

Australian specifications may differ, but ours had a dusting of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ touches – we particularly liked the windscreen ice scraper in the fuel flap

Knitting all that substance together is a new design that has an adult’s confidence and more effectively aligns with the rest of the Skoda family. There’s no faux-sports D-shaped steering wheel, opting for a more mature round version with cool ‘phantom’ third spoke. The seats usurp leather in favour of a pleasant and high-quality fabric, while the dash is ergonomically laid out.

The Fabia has also grown up technologically. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, self-parking, adaptive cruise control and speed sign recognition are all available, as is navigation, although we couldn’t learn Czech quickly enough to evaluate the latter in a week.

Practicality also ranks very highly with a car that is both a decent size – measuring 4.1 metres long and just less than 1.8m wide – but still has the visibility and perfectly placed driving position to handle the proportions in Prague’s tight and distractingly beautiful streets.

Its boot can be optioned with more clever features to introduce flexible storage spaces, hooks, nets and even a special hammock for stowing damp umbrellas (if you choose to not use the one hidden in the front door), but even in standard trim, the 380-litre luggage area is big for the class.

From its larger grille and chiseled light units, to the spacious interior with quality materials and features, the new Fabia is more car for the cash.

With its excellent blend of sharp chassis, equipment and fuel economy, the fourth-gen Fabia family will be more in keeping with the brand’s core values and well worth the wait

The Monte Carlo that’ll be on offer later this year will deliver the biggest chunk of kit in the range as well as an additional 30kW and 50Nm over the three-cylinder, and zero to 100km/h acceleration that beats the 81 TSI by nearly two tenths.

But, for the brand that forged its place in the market as the Euro that costs less, the Fabia is getting rather pricey. Then again, with its excellent blend of sharp chassis, equipment and fuel economy, an additional member of the fourth-gen Fabia family will be more in keeping with the brand’s core values and well worth the wait.

And it’ll help you save a little faster for that R5 to sit alongside it in the garage.

2023 Skoda Fabia 81 TSI specifications

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