FAB VALUE? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 60

In 2018, Skoda improved its MK3 'NJ'-series Fabia supermini as part of its efforts to keep up with front-running designs in the supermini segment. There were smarter looks and sharp pricing, plus this Czech contender gave nothing away to its rivals in terms of safety and media connectivity. How does this later MK3 Fabia stack up as a used buy?

Modelsword count: 6

5dr Supermini (1.0 MPI, 1.0 TSI)

Historyword count: 453

It may no longer actively campaign as a budget buy, but Skoda's Fabia has always been the thinking person's value-focused supermini. By 2018, around 4.2 million examples of this model had been sold since its original launch at the turn of the century and it's always aimed to give its customers more for their money - as did the third generation 'NJ'-series version in the much improved form we're going to look at here. The Fabia was the car that brought credibility to Skoda. This model's Favorit '90's predecessor had been the first design the brand had produced under Volkswagen Group ownership, but it was the first '6Y'-series MK1 Fabia that showed us just what this could mean. It redefined just how large a supermini could be, with a spacious interior pretty much as big inside as some older family hatchbacks from the next class up. Every small car maker had to match it and superminis quickly became so big that the market rather hurriedly created a smaller Citycar segment below them. The Fabia had proved to be a very significant car. The second generation '5J'-series design of 2007 added a bit of extra style to the Fabia recipe and even spawned a successful World Rally Car. And the original version of the car we're testing here, the 'NJ'-series third generation model of 2014, re-emphasised the traditional Fabia value proposition. Like its predecessors, it was available from the start in both hatch and estate forms. And also like its predecessors, it claimed to be one of the most spacious superminis in the segment - and was at launch. By 2018 though, this model had been somewhat overtaken in that regard by several class rivals, amongst them all-new versions of its Volkswagen Group cousins, the Volkswagen Polo and the SEAT Ibiza, both of which used a much newer MQB-A0 platform that this generation Fabia couldn't have. So what could it offer to deal not only with tougher segment competition but also a fresh wave of supermini-based SUVs like Skoda's own Scala model? The mid-term facelift package we're going to analyse here tried to answer that question. The strong value proposition we've already alluded to looked even better when you took account of this car's much improved standard equipment levels, which by 2018 included 'Front Assist' autonomous braking and a smart 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen across the range, along with a useful package of Skoda's famous 'Simply Clever' features that added day-to-day usability. There was also smarter styling and efficiency improvements across an engine line-up that by 2018 was exclusively devoted to 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol power. In this form, the MK3 'NJ'-series Fabia sold until 2021, when it was replaced by a fourth generation design.

What You Getword count: 313

In its original form, this third generation 'NJ'-series Fabia aimed to usher in a fresh era in Skoda design. It's a look that in 2018 was smartly updated by Karl Neuhold, the brand's then Head of Design, for this facelifted model. As part of that facelift, the smarter front end was distinguished by a crisply-contoured bonnet that flowed down into a wider grille with vertical slats framed either in chrome or black. It's flanked by headlamps that featured more intricate detailing - apparently a visual tribute to the Czech Republic's cut crystal glass heritage. These lights could be ordered with optional full-LED beams and LED daytime running lights were by now standard fit across the range. Inside up front, this improved MK3 Fabia gained brush-effect dashboard trim and contrast stitching on the door armrests; the straightforward models got better quality seat fabrics; buyers could specify a centre front armrest; and top variants got illumination for the centre console compartment so that owners could more easily find things like house keys in the dark. The key change though lay in the centre of the dashboard with an upgraded level of infotainment. The previous 5-inch screen was now replaced by a smarter glass-fronted 6.5-inch monitor, fitted as standard across the range. If you get a Fabia whose original owner went for the optional higher-grade 'Amundsen' package that included navigation and Wi-Fi, you can then really get into the advanced connectivity that Skoda offers through its optional 'Infotainment Online' package. In the rear, head room is unbettered in the class from this period and in terms of footwell space, it's just about possible for one six foot adult to sit behind another, though in such a situation, the rear person's knees would be rather buried in the front seat backs. Out back, there's a big (for a supermini) 330-litre boot (it's 530-litres in the Estate version).

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227