Amid all the noise about the Skoda Scala, the Czech brand’s all-new Rapid hatch replacement, Skoda has quietly slipped an upgraded MY19 Skoda Fabia range into Australian showrooms.
Although there are no mechanical changes, the subtle midlife facelift does bring updated cosmetics, more safety tech, extra standard equipment (and some omissions) and lower prices.
We’ve listed the full price and options line-up below, but the entry-level Fabia 1.0 TSI Hatch is now significantly cheaper at $16,990 drive-away for the five-speed manual (previously $16,890 plus on-road costs) and $19,990 drive-away for the seven-speed DSG automatic (previously $19,890 plus ORCs).
The base model’s 70kW/160Nm (manual) and 81kW/200Nm (auto) 1.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrains continue unchanged, and the latter remains standard in the Fabia Monte Carlo, which costs $25,490 drive-away (previously $23,990 plus ORCs).
All three Fabia variants continue to be available in wagon form, for an extra $1500.
New standard features for all models include LED daytime running lamps, restyled instrument dials and one-touch up/down power windows, and while the Bolero infotainment unit is now called Swing Plus, the cooled glovebox has been deleted.
MY19 Monte Carlo models gain black-painted 17-inch alloy wheels with matching black roof, pillars and rear spoiler, plus LED tail-lights – but the panoramic glass roof is gone.
New safety technologies include LED headlights, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Traffic Alert, but these are part of one of a number of optional equipment packages (see below).
Cosmetically, the inverted trapezoidal grille on all models now has the top corners cut off and headlights that wrap around the cut edge. The lower edge of headlights is now straight (no longer kinked to the mid lower edge of the grille) and the lower grille opening now features a wide stretched honeycomb insert.
At the rear, tail-lights now feature a tapered clear centre element and curved red C-shaped lower edge, while reflectors are now integrated under the bumper seam.
MY19 Skoda Fabia standard equipment:
Front Assist
City Emergency Brake
Rear View Camera
Six airbags
Low tyre pressure indicator
Multi Collision Brake
6.5-inch infotainment system
Bluetooth with voice control, audio and streaming, USB, AUX and SD card slot
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Six-speaker sound system featuring ŠKODA Surround Sound
Remote Central Locking
Front LED daytime driving lights
Three-spoke sports leather steering wheel with radio and telephone controls, height and reach adjustable
Silver roof rails (Wagon)
Net system in rear cargo area
Umbrella
Front and rear carpet floor mats
Sports Pack ($1800):
17x7.0-inch SAVIO alloy wheels or 16-inch VIGO lack alloy wheels with black roof, side mirror caps and A-pillar
Sports suspension
Rear parking sensors
Flat bottom sports steering wheel
Privacy glass
Front centre armrest
Cruise control with speed-limiter
Premium Sports Pack ($3600):
Sports Pack (as above)
Adaptive cruise control
Advanced keyless entry/start and alarm
Climatronic air-conditioning
Fatigue detection
DAB+ (digital audio broadcasting)
Rear double USB port
Vision Pack ($1800):
Full LED headlights with Adaptive Frontlight System
Side Assist -- Blind Spot Detection
Rear traffic alert
LED tail-lights
Light Assist and rain-sensing wipers
Front fog lights
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
MY19 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo standard equipment:
17-inch TORINO black alloy wheels
Monte Carlo design package with black door mirrors, grille frame, roof spoiler, side skirts, front bumper spoiler and rear diffuser, plus Monte Carlo logo on B-pillar and sill plates
Front fog lights
Privacy glass
Sports seats
Sports pedals
Black roof rails (Wagon)
Flat bottom steering wheel with red stitching
LED tail-lights
Sports suspension
Instrument cluster in Monte Carlo
Cruise Control with speed-limiter
Front armrest with storage compartment
Tech Pack ($1800):
Advanced keyless entry/start and alarm
Rear parking sensors
Adaptive cruise control
Climatronic air-conditioning
Fatigue detection
DAB+ (digital audio broadcasting)
Rear double USB port
Vision Pack ($1400):
Full LED headlights with Adaptive Frontlight System
Side Assist -- Blind Spot Detection
Rear traffic alert
Light Assist and rain-sensing wipers
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Range-wide options:
Panoramic glass roof -- $1000
Metallic/Pearl-effect paint -- $500
6.5-inch Amundsen navigation -- $950
Cruise control with speed-limiter -- $950 (standard on Monte Carlo)
Three-year service pack -- $760
Five-year service pack -- $1600
How much does the MY19 Skoda Fabia cost?
1.0 TSI 5M hatch -- $16,990
1.0 TSI 5M wagon -- $18,490
1.0 TSI 7DSG hatch -- $19,990
1.0 TSI 7DSG hatch -- $21,490
1.0 TSI 7DSG Monte Carlo hatch -- $25,490
1.0 TSI 7DSG Monte Carlo hatch -- $26,990
* All prices include on-road costs (drive-away)