Fourth-generation 2022 Skoda Fabia bows in

Already renowned for its practicality, the Skoda Fabia grows again for its fourth generation. The popular supermini finally moves on to the MQB A0 platform, a few years behind the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. It’s anticipated to arrive with UK customers in early 2022, costing from around £15,000 with a solely petrol line-up.

Now exceeding four metres for the first time, the Fabia is 4,108mm in length, and its boot increases in size by 50 litres to 380 litres – a figure that matches cars like the Volkswagen Golf from the class above. A 94mm increase in wheelbase and 48mm boost to its width should also provide significantly more interior space for occupants and bulky items like child’s car seats.

The Fabia’s design continues the sharp-edged theme of ‘crystalline structures’ favoured by Skoda in recent years, while triangular shapes on the front doors are designed to evoke the Czech flag. LED headlights are standard, and now extend to reach the new front grille. They’ll also be capable of providing cornering and adaptive lighting functions. The lower grille gains active vents that can close to improve efficiency when less cooling is needed. The rear is characterised by a thick C-pillar, in a nod to past Fabias, along with wide rear lights, a neat spoiler and ‘Skoda’ lettering spread out across the boot. Alloy wheels will range from 15- to 18-inches in size and nine paint colours will be offered, including new Phoenix Orange.

Moving to the latest platform has allowed for a big increase in quality and technology inside. Higher trim levels get fabric dashboard trim to lift the ambience, along with some body-coloured highlights, and a twin-spoke steering wheel also features. Analogue gauges are standard, but a 10.25-inch instrument display is available, along with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen. This can be upgraded to a 9.2-inch setup, with gesture control, navigation and improved connectivity including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Skoda’s ‘Laura’ digital voice assistant, which can understand up to 15 languages, will also be optionally available.

Exact UK specifications haven’t been confirmed yet, but the range is likely to follow Skoda’s current architecture, namely S, SE, SE L and Monte Carlo. Highlights include up to five USB-C sockets, a sound system with a subwoofer in the boot, ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel. Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ features will also include a wireless smartphone charger amongst a roster of 43 handy features to make life more convenient. One is a USB-C socket on the rear-view mirror, making it easier to power a dashcam. Another allows the front passenger seat to fold flat, so that longer items can be carried. Safety also sees big steps on, with the arrival of features like adaptive cruise control, lane assist and manoeuvre assist, which can detect obstacles while parking and automatically apply the brakes.

The Fabia’s engine range will consist predominantly of three-cylinder petrol engines, kicking off with the familiar 1.0- litre MPI engine with 64bhp or 79bhp. A turbocharged TSI version increases power to 94bhp or 109bhp, with the latter getting a six-speed manual gearbox instead of a five-speed. The 94bhp version can return up to 55.4mpg with CO2 emissions from 113g/km. A powerful 148bhp 1.5 TSI Evo four-cylinder engine will also join the range at a later date.