2015 Skoda Fabia review - What Car?

[@ianburg9905]

Great video review. I've just ordered a 1.2tsi 110ps DSG Hatch after extensive research and testing. During the process I drove several cars from the Skoda Fabia range and found the 90ps and 110ps engines to be the best for power and smoothness. I had the 110ps DSG for the day which was great. The car handled really well and could be driven in a spirited way on country roads. It has an almost excess of power for it's size. The DSG auto box was super responsive and very smooth. It's more economical than the manual version. As an ex-Fiesta man I thought the handling was similar to the Ford but the Skoda was far superior in the comfort department. Economy was also far far better on the Skoda. As for residual values, the Skoda is one of the best in it's class at holding onto it's value...just take a look! It's very clear! I drove the Polo too, and it was great, but has it's own shortcomings...like every car. It's also feels a lot smaller than the Skoda Fabia inside. I agree with 'What Car', it's well deserving of it's Car of the Year Award.

[@tnseu]

Is it reliable?

[@genebrenner855]

I rented a Skoda (2015? 2016?) on a recent trip through Germany and loved it. Very maneuverable and peppy enough. Shut off when stopped, unusual for a non-hybrid (at least in the US). You can drive a long way on a tankful. If it was sold in the US, I'd consider buying one. Ford sells the quite small Fiesta here, why not a VW Skoda?

[@WELLBRAN]

with all these video car reviews its as if there is a written in clause that Every time they must mention Ford and VW at some point

[@matthewmedley1203]

Just purchased one. Good review.

[@patelvidhu4840]

Good car. good driving pleasure. Average is less in petrol.

[@ricco123tube]

It's not April 1st. Is it?

[@arnoldtabor3767]

Does it have mirroring ? For phones so you could use the sat nav through your phone ?

[@emmadavies7787]

I want one. I really do.

[@mirola73]

You're the only person stopping yourself from getting one. Don't talk, DO !

[@karlr8693]

No sat nav? In germany you can get a sat nav at least as an optional extra.

[@cali5224]

Great car I got the 1.4 diesel can’t fault it love the car would definitely recommend the car 🚗

[@nurankhan4113]

How long have you had it for? Any reliability issues occurred

[@cali5224]

Nuran Khan best car I had

[@nurankhan4113]

@@cali5224 I heard they have water pump issues but I was looking at 17 reg so want sure of the problem was rectified

[@cali5224]

Nuran Khan my plate is a 15 and alhumdulilah drives like a dream 🙂

[@nurankhan4113]

@@cali5224 mashAllah, how long have you had it for? How many miles you done

[@ELFOUAD]

Well made review, thanks

[@danielfl.9347]

Why the hell did you test the 1.4 diesel? Didn't even have fog-lights... You should have have taken the 1.2 TSI 110 BHP Style.

[@danielfl.9347]

What do you mean?

[@TrigonixZeNW]

Because you Need foglights....

[@ruicvt]

So it's not very exciting to drive, the quality is average, and has good space and... Is the car of the year???

[@TYAC_red]

US needs Skoda? Like really badly?

[@LRS905]

Why is it that FWD cars get this middle tunnel on the floor? Is it a structural rigidity characteristic from the unibody construction?

[@jamescooling76]

Shocking. The boot has a big lip, the seats don't fold flat, the screen can't be used as a sat nav, it's off the pace for drivability, it doesn't hold its value as well as others and it's ugly as sin. How can this be car of the year? All this video showed was that it's mediocre in most areas. Surely the facelift polo or fiesta beat it hands down in most of these areas. I haven't seen a review of this car where the reviewer actually seems at all excited by the car.

[@00kirbyd]

Which superminis don't have a high lip, and have seats that fold (completely) flat? The screen CAN be used as a sat nav with the mirror link system standard on the SE upwards (I don't know why this wasn't mentioned as this car is an SE). The suspension is set up for comfort, not fun - most drivers don't want a harsh ride, with the rough roads in the UK these days, surely a stiff suspension setup for good handling will mean a poor ride overall. Time will tell if it holds its value well, it's a new model - how will they know (Skoda is an up and coming brand after all). I think it's good looking in SE L spec with the black headlights. This was a 6 minute review, its of a normal supermini - it's not supposed to be exciting.

[@potnoodleman81]

Dave K Honda Jazz seats fold flat

[@jamescooling76]

The polo has no lip and the seats fold flat. I don't think this car looks nice at all, I actually thinks it looks worse than the previous generation. As I said, all the reviews suggests it's pretty mediocre in most areas. The fiesta used to be best in class and that is famed for being fun to drive, as is the Suzuki Swift. The polo is very refined and comfortable. This Fabia just sits right in the middle with nothing to make it feel at all special. I guess it's quite like the people that generally drive it.

[@00kirbyd]

James Cooling Rubbish, to achieve a 'no lip and flat folding seats' in the Polo - you'll need a variable boot floor (which is optional by the way). I know the Fiesta used to be best in class, and the Polo most refined - according to automotive journalists. I've driven the Fiesta and Polo; the Fiesta has overly 'feather light' steering, and the Polo with the most common engine option (the 1.2 three cylinder) sounds coarse and loud. The Fabia is the newest in its segment (and has the MQB platform), low running costs, has the best infotainment system as standard for its segment and the best dealership experience as Skoda are continually voted the most satisfying car brand. Say whatever you like about Skoda owners, they like their cars.

[@oddities-whatnot]

James Cooling Guess what pal. I must be one of "those" people then. I used to drive a Skoda, but spent my money on premium watches and nice holidays instead of a fancy badge on a car. Get over it.

[@MacarioDeLosRios]

What about is the first car to come with Apple car and Android Auto

[@Matthiasbarron]

Seriously? No air con on the base model?? Is this the 70's? VAG must have spent a lot to buy this award

[@David_H-73]

I assume buy this comment you were not around in the 70's!

[@Matthiasbarron]

Nope, born in 88 lol I think you get my point though, to not have air con standard in 2015 is very bad.

[@David_H-73]

Matthias Barron Of course Skoda have got to give you a reason to upgrade to SE trim level! Also most base models in the supermini sector do not have a/c as standard

[@HowkeyLL]

The reason why the lowest spec small cars dont have A/C is because of the strain it puts on the engine which is small. So if you want A/C you should consider bigger engine or be prepared that you might liwer the engine output. Most of the small cars dont have it, but in a lot of cases people review top spec or midspec models, not the cheapest.

[@RetroGamerVX]

Matthias Barron Well What Car have recently been sponsored by VW so there may be a wee bit of bias involved in that award!!

[@XzzVttll]

i will by it just because of boot practicallity

[@Seallbay]

2:01 LOL!

[@NemanjaGrujic]

It is a shame big minus because you can't order ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) on this Fabia.

[@madant7777]

Usually a solid car, but COTY? Come on...

[@whatcar]

***** It is a very sensible, practical car that is great value - all things we love at What Car?!

[@pb5x5]

***** Great value..................... It's £10,600 for a basic small car with a gutless engine, less than 60hp! Small cars should start well under that price.

[@MegaVector2011]

So, to sum up then - the Fabia is not good so good to drive, has a dull cabin, no sat nav option, a noisy diesel, bad ride quality, no a/c on base models, depreciates rapidly, is a bit cramped in the back on long journeys, but it has an ice scraper built into the fuel filler cap which you didn't mention. Is there any wonder why the Fiesta is the best selling car in this, or any sector? To award this ugly piece of mediocrity COTY is frankly an insult to peoples intelligence. I strongly advise that you take a drive in a 125bhp petrol Fiesta Ecoboost Titanium and have a little rethink.

[@RetroGamerVX]

MegaVector2011 Well What Car have recently been sponsored by VW so there may be a wee bit of bias involved in that award!!

[@Ardnuh]

MegaVector2011 Sorry but you are really trying hard nitpicking the faults of this car. People have wrong views on this car. The car that has been awarded COTY is a great car and you alot of value for your money. I also testdriven the fiesta ecoboost titanium 100bhp, it didn't fit my drive, the fabia felt better for me.

[@johnward3498]

I'm not in view with the fiesta yes the fiesta is fun to drive but practicality it's rubbish hardly any leg room in the back and the boot space ...well what can I say there isn't any I think it's you who needs a rethink

[@TechThirsty]

+MegaVector2011 has sat nav option, great ride, base model fiesta has no a/c either, more space in the back than a fiesta and better fuel consumption than a similar engined fiesta. Is there any wonder why the Fabia is COTY?

[@oddities-whatnot]

John Ward fiesta is fun so long as you think a hard ride is your idea of fun. My girlfriend had a new one in 2011, you could feel every road surface and that was with standard alloys. Tiring on journeys because of that. My Abarth 595 had a better ride!

[@kostakostovski8536]

its not worth that 12000 euros they cost here for 1.0 mpi-75 hp-style. i'll get polo for that price not the skoda :-P

[@NidhalNajiG]

+Kosta Kostovski they have the same engine

[@tgrx1901]

After watching this video, I would hate to hear how negative the reviews must be for cars that are NOT the "Car of The Year". It sounds completely mediocre. Car of The year? Yeah, sure..

[@pb5x5]

This sounds more like a advert than an impartial test. Come on what car how much did Skoda pay you to make this car of the year? It may be a good car but it ain't special in any area, jack of all trades master of none.

[@sequentialgear]

what a s#Δt box... and if you want it to look mildly interesting, pay the (big) extra for the nice alloy wheels, and the cheap and cheerful plastic add ons inside...

[@varkeychanthomas222]

Skoda service is pathetic in Kerala.Just enquire any owner.

[@sssssneaker]

A great car for people who don't like cars... Or life.

[@oddities-whatnot]

sssssneaker Ive had 30 cars in 30 years, and I still keep buying them but to come out with a comment that implies that anyone buying this Skoda is dull and doesnt enjoy life is an ignorant, ill informed piece of claptrap. You can not judge someones life simply on the car they drive. Ive known very wealthy people that were driving what you would call dull cars, skodas included, yet I think they would probably look at YOU as the loser as they sit in their mortgage free detached houses while planning their next exotic holiday. Too much badge snobbery these days.

[@djalilgsf6845]

sssssneaker what the fuck ?!

[@RetroGamerVX]

But it's soooooooooooooooooooooo fugly :o(

[@Nico31919]

An orrible version of the VW polo...

[@tweeny55]

Nicolò Eller Had two skoda's-shant be having a third...nasty as the latest astra

[@oddities-whatnot]

The Polo is cr4p. I had a new one in 2012. Poor handling, poor quality interior. Overpriced rubbish. Got rid after 4 months

[@supergautam96]

Ford figo automatic

[@andrewhead6267]

cinzia selvatico from

[@maartendemuynck3653]

Omg, this has to be one of the most old-fashioned and blandest car interiors you can get these days. Especially in the trim shown in this video, it's just... nasty, and probably very unpleasant to sit in. Of course, as always with Skoda, all the controls and switches will be perfectly clear and dead easy to use, but that doesn't make up for the horrible way it looks, not to mention the quality of the plastics used throughout... Personally, I'd rather swap some of the Fabia's class-leading practicality for a minimum dose of style. Which basically means I prefer a Peugeot 208, as that car looks much nicer, both inside and out, and still has enough passenger and boot space on offer.

[@matthewmedley1203]

It gets you from a to b. And is efficient. That's all that matters as far as I'm concerned.

[@bfcfan2739]

Boring underpowered and ugly.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Graham Wiles So dont buy it then. Plenty people will though. You are yet another person who judges people on the car they drive. I currently have a cheap car by choice for the time being, and have a great life thanks. You know nothing.

[@CataM8]

"what car" videos are a joke or smth?

[@michiel75]

Did you even look at it? I really think its ugly

[@dallison2010]

How very, very dull. What Car will be recommending that we get the bus next year. Spacious, cheap, ugly, practical and mind numbingly boring!

[@oddities-whatnot]

dallison2010 much like your ill informed comment.

[@doctordoctor5402]

but it has sold in millions!!!!!! Skoda forever

[@peteb8027]

Tedious car, presenter and video.

[@unconvincingrebel]

piss off

[@peteb8027]

Haha - never mind Tommy

[@unconvincingrebel]

Pete B whos tommy?

[@Aschael7]

Skoda are overrated cars surely.

[@TeoZervopoulos]

+Tomislav Hranietzsche I'd say rather UNDERrated!

[@oddities-whatnot]

Nope.

[@Aschael7]

@@TeoZervopoulos underrated? They are glorified here on Balkans, I drove new octavia and it's nothing special at all, i expected a spaceship by the rumors going around and it's just cheap plastic, ugly interior as well as exterior... really nothing special at all, just a boring family car that offer less than what it costs.