2015 Skoda Fabia 81TSI DSG Review – Plenty Of Tech, Plenty Of Poise
The Skinny: Skoda’s light car offering is certainly not light on for technology. The new Fabia packs in everything from mobile phone mirroring to autonomous emergency braking. That makes it something special among non-premium light cars.
The range is much simpler than many too - Skoda offers just two Fabia variants: a 66kW manual or the 81kW DSG automatic tested here. There’s also a huge range up dress-up options for those who want to be seen in something a little more unique.
Vehicle Style: light five-door hatchback
Price: $20,290 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 81kW/175Nm 1.4 turbo petrol 4cyl | 7spd DSG automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 4.8 l/100km | tested: 7.1 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Skoda launched in Australia as a value-brand: no frills, 'cut price' transport for the masses.
It hasn’t taken long for that to change though, with the latest Skoda Fabia now nudging it’s Volkswagen stablemate, the Polo - the Fabia 81TSI tested here is just $500 less than an equivalent Polo.
Same engine, same transmission, same warranty.
Where the Skoda wins over the Polo is in the value packaged-in. 'Forward collision warning', autonomous emergency braking, and rear park sensors are all standard. There's also a range of personalisation options at extra cost.