SKODA

Comparison(Skoda Fabia 1.0 MPI and 1.0 TSI)...As the small car market is slowly but surely decreasing, the internal rating of the Škoda Fabia is nowhere near as high as it used to be. Now, however, the builders really seemed to want to show that a well-executed small car can still find its place in the lane. Especially since the new 4th generation has grown by 111mm and, in addition to the length of 4,108mm, the wheelbase increased by 94mm, now 2,564mm, is also notable. The last value even surpasses that of the first Octavia developed by VW!

Meanwhile, the proportions have barely changed, and overall there aren't any bold changes to the design as we've experienced in previous generations. The designers created a sober, but undoubtedly modern car, and with a good choice of colors, the strong parts of the shape stand out, such as the wide wheel arches or the horizontal Y behind the front wheel – the latter, second to the designers, refers to the Czech flag. Still, I think the interior is what makes Fabia fall in love quickly.

The cabin is especially comfortable for 4 adults, and the seats hold up remarkably well. If we only look at the comfort level, we can embark on any long journey with the new generation without any problems. And, of course, it's also no accident that the luggage space is already 380 liters, which is not a small 50 liters more compared to its predecessor. 

At the same time, it can be seen from the panel that, despite the change of model, they did not want to invent Spanish wax. There is also a digital dashboard (optional), and the 2-spoke steering wheel is also new, the layout is still objective and logical. While most of the materials used are simple, we can't complain about the feel of quality, you can see the care that went into creating the storage spaces.

Whether it's a phone, keys or a bottle of soda, there's room for everything at Fabia! But there are also red dots for the clever little solutions that the brand is used to: the parking ticket clip and the ice scraper hidden in the fuel cap cap are also included in the novelty.

The engine range includes all the familiar blocks, for the sake of simplicity there is no diesel or hybrid. The 1.0 can have 80 hp without turbo and 95 or 110 hp with turbo, while the top of the line is the 1.5 4-cylinder with 150 hp, which can only be configured with a DSG gearbox. The 80-horsepower model tested proves that there is life even without a supercharger, and the base model doesn't look particularly anemic in the city. The 5-speed gearbox has been adapted to low torque, with a short gear ratio, at 50 km/h we can already drive with the highest gear ratio. 

In terms of power, the aspirated versions of 80 hp (the car on the right) and turbocharged 110 hp (the car on the right) are a world apart, but their consumption is very similar

The 110hp turbo is a different world in terms of dynamics, but the turbo hole is distracting and you have to shift a lot to avoid the “dead” zone. Although the difference in fuel consumption between them is minimal (test average of 5.9 and 6.2 l/100 km), the conclusion is that the aspirated version is more pleasant in the city and on the road – when 80 horsepower is already are exerting themselves – the extra performance makes sense. If you're willing to pay, you can also order a DSG transmission for HUF 591,000(local currency) for the 110hp version, but to be honest, the clutch is so easy and the gear lever can be moved with so little force, even with 2 fingers. , which would not even occur to me. The steering wheel, which also requires little power, and the surprisingly comfortable chassis rhyme with that. The Fabia doesn't want to please sporty customers, but its suspension can be fully appreciated even on low-quality roads.

I LIKED:

• lots of space

• practical interior

• suspension

• long list of extras

I DID NOT LIKE:

• engine characteristics (TSI)

• power reserve (MPI)

Summary...Instead of formal features, Škoda focused on usability, the result of which is palpable: the new Fabia is one of the most spacious and practical small cars. A real alternative to the powerful but not very smooth TSI turbo engine is the weaker but nicer naturally aspirated gasoline engine, especially since the MPI is HUF 600,000 cheaper.

Source: Auto-Motor, Hungary