The popularity and proliferation of SUVs has driven a scalding hot knife through the hatchback segment, particularly the supermini class where the Skoda Fabia resides.
Most of the mainstays are still kicking, but are licking their wounds with heavily depleted line-ups.
The Hyundai i20’s normal line-up has been culled almost completely, with just the fifty grand i20 N left. The Ford Fiesta is in a similar situation, though it’ll be killed off completely later this year.
The Fabia is in a similar boat. This sharp looking Monte Carlo warm hatch flagship is now the sole Fabia sold in New Zealand. Has Skoda done the right thing in going high instead of going low?
THE NUMBERS
The one-and-done Monte Carlo is priced from $39,990, placing it among the premium-badge fare (although the Clean Car Discount wipes just over $2000 off that figure). Power comes from an excitable 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, sending its 110kW and 250Nm through a rapid fire seven-speed DSG to the front wheels.
Under the skin, is Volkswagen Group’s latest subcompact MQB AO platform, which it shares with the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Arona, Audi A1, and other VAG products.
The key benefits of the new architecture include the longer and wider dimensions, which enabled Skoda engineers to find 13mm of extra legroom in the second row, and 30 litres of extra volume in the boot.
You can now cram 380 litres back there, a credible amount for a car in this segment.
OUTSIDE
The new platform has given the Fabia another significant gift, too, in that it’s now 8mm shorter than it used to be.
This might not be great news for the basketball players among us, but it’s a revelation for people like me who have always struggled to appreciate the Fabia’s looks.
Where I’ve felt past Fabias have looked a little awkward and frumpy, this one looks much more athletic and well proportioned.
Mix a sleeker glasshouse with Skoda’s neatly sculpted lines and intricate head- and taillight fixtures, and you have a very handsome car, even without the hot hatch Monte Carlo bits.
INSIDE
People wincing at the Fabia’s pricetag are likely to feel a little better about it once they’re sitting in the cockpit.
Here the Fabia borrows some of the nice bits from its Octavia and Superb siblings. It gets the same steering wheel, complete with knurled scrollwheels and perforated leather rim.
Being a warmed-up variant there’s a generous requisite splash of red and faux carbon in there, paired with bucket seats and sport pedals. And, of course, there’s an umbrella in the door.
Space inside feels competitive with cars one weight division above the Fabia. The boot’s gaping aperture makes loading a breeze, and the back seats offer enough head and leg room for adults.
The eight-inch touchscreen is new, packing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It works well and is presented neatly, complemented by a selection of hard buttons, a real all-singing alldancing volume knob, and physical buttons on the steering wheel.
As with most Skodas, the Fabia’s cabin aims to punch above its weight with a small selection of added features one might not expect for a car in this class.
The heated steering wheel, heated door mirrors, and dual-zone climate aren’t your standard supermini fare. Nor is the optional park assist, which is one of several optional safety features. Standard, the Fabia comes with radar cruise control, lane assist, autonomous emergency braking, ISOfix rear child seat anchors. All contribute to its fivestar NCAP safety rating.
THE DRIVE
Even though it packs a lot of handy features and slick design, the Fabia still has to walk-the-walk in terms of performance if it’s to justify an outlay of almost 40 grand.
The 1.5 certainly has less grunt than the 147kW/320Nm 2.0-litre in the similarly priced Polo GTI. As with the GTI, the Monte’s engine is a hand-medown from a larger model.
In this case, it’s borrowed from the Kamiq crossover. Skoda quotes a 0-100km/h time of 8.0 seconds, 1.4 seconds behind the GTI yardstick.
The numbers are a little deceptive, as the Fabia feels a bit quicker than that in the metal.
It’s a touch lighter than the Polo, most likely in the nose. It’s quite pointy, with grip to burn from its Nexen shoes. The versatile non-adaptive sport suspension is firm enough to enhance the Fabia’s cornering chops, but soft enough to live with each day.
Although it’s fantastic fun, when push comes to shove the little Skoda lacks a bit of edge and charm relative to its peers.
Even the much cheaper Suzuki Swift Sport (less power and torque, but about 200kg less weight, too) delivers a more quintessential hot hatch experience.
But as an all-rounder for daily use, the Skoda’s comfier demeanour will appeal to some.
OUR VIEW
The Fabia was a fabulous partner on a recent holiday trip out of the big smoke. We packed generously, with the diminutive hatch accommodating our baggage without fuss.
People wanting a compact crossover shouldn’t rule out these small hatches, especially when they’re as spacious as this.
As to its performance, well it turns out the comparisons between it and the Polo GTI are moot. Halfway through writing this review, I happened to discover that the GTI had also kicked the proverbial bucket, another casualty in a once thriving segment.
That’s another reminder to enjoy fun little pocket rockets like the Monte Carlo while we’ve still got them.
