2019 Skoda Fabia and Rapid move to drive-away prices

European brand Skoda has signaled its intent to move away from manufacturer's list pricing and eventually adopt a drive-away pricing structure across its entire range.

New pricing (see below) for the 2019 Skoda Fabia and Skoda Rapid compact cars introduce the new drive-away regime.

"Skoda has nationally consistent drive-away pricing for its whole range. Drive-away [pricing] is transparent and readily understood by customers," said Kieran Merrigan, Skoda product and planning manager.

"Fabia and Rapid are the first of MY19 range for which we’ve announced drive-away pricing. We’re in the process of implementing the updates for Octavia, Superb, Karoq and Kodiaq. These will be on our website very shortly," he said.

Previously, the most affordable Skoda Fabia 70TSI hatch was priced at $16,890 before on-road costs, a price which didn't include dealer delivery and stamp duty charges among others.

The new opening price of $16,990 drive-away includes the on-road costs that are usually added after the list price.

Some car companies are switching popular entry-level products to drive-away pricing as it can be more transparent for the customer. The term 'on-road costs' can add between $1000 and $2000 worth of extra costs on top of the suggested retail price at this level, and sometimes several thousand dollars more at higher price points.

Mazda has recently adopted drive-away pricing on some vehicles, such as the updated Mazda CX-3. Previously car companies tended to offer drive-away pricing as a special deal for a limited time, but pricing strategies are clearly being reviewed.

Priced from $16,990 drive-away, the entry-level Skoda Fabia 1.0TSI hatch is paired with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (70kW/160Nm) hooked up with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Most customers are expected to choose the seven-speed DSG automatic version which is priced at $19,990 and has more power and torque (81kW/200Nm) while using less fuel. Skoda claims 4.2L/100km for the auto and 4.5L/100km for the manual.

Wagon versions command a $1500 premium and all Fabia models have a five-star ANCAP safety rating with a 2015 date stamp.

The 2019 Skoda Fabia models are fitted as standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), a reverse parking camera, remote central locking, multi-function leather steering wheel, netting in the boot, an umbrella plus a 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, plus SD card, AUX and USB ports.

Skoda will offer a number of option packs to beef up the equipment lists on the new Fabia, starting with the vision pack ($1800). This adds adaptive automatic LED headlights, LED brake lights, front fog lights, automatic wipers, rear traffic alert, blind spot detection and an auto-dimming rear vision mirror.

The sports pack ($1800) adds 17-inch grey alloy wheels or 16-inch black alloy wheels with a black roof, A-pillar and mirror caps. It also brings sports suspension, rear parking sensors, cruise control and a flat-bottom steering wheel, tinted windows and front armrest.

The premium sports pack ($3600) is double the price of the others but gets everything from the sports pack above, plus adaptive cruise control, climate control, digital radio, twin USB ports in the back seat, a fatigue detection system and keyless entry and push-button engine start.

There is only one other model in the Fabia range, the high-spec Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo. Fitted with Torino 17-inch alloy wheels, it comes with lots of black visual accents, such as the front grille frame, door mirrors and a sports body kit with black roof spoiler, rear diffuser, front spoiler, side skirts and Monte Carlo logos.

It also adds front fog lights, tinted windows, sports seats and pedal, a flat bottom steering wheel with red stitching, LED brake lights, cruise control, sports suspension and an armrest for front seat occupants.

It can also be had with a tech pack ($1800) that adds keyless entry and engine start, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, digital radio, twin USB ports in the rear and fatigue detection. There's also a vision pack ($1400) for Monte Carlo models that is the same as the vision pack for regular models listed above.

Available in hatch and wagon variants, the Monte Carlo comes with the seven-speed auto and high-output engine as standard, and is priced at $25,490 drive-away, the wagon adding $1500.

Some of the Fabia's separate options include a panoramic glass roof ($1000), satellite navigation ($950) and metallic or pearl effect paint ($500). Skoda will also offer three- ($760) and five-year service packs ($1600)

The 2019 Skoda Rapid hatchback is offered in just one model grade, powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (92kW/200Nm) that pumps through a seven-speed automatic DSG.

Priced at $24,990 drive-away, the Rapid is bigger than the Fabia and has more interior room. Standard equipment includes front sports seats, AEB, xenon headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a driver fatigue detection system, 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system, digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear vision camera and rear parking sensors, leather steering wheel, cruise control, LED daytime running lights, tinted windows, ambient cabin lighting, auto headlights and wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Like all new Skoda vehicles, a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is standard on Fabia and Rapid and the same service packs and pricing apply to the Rapid.

How much is the 2019 Skoda Fabia?
1.0 TSI manual hatch: $16,990
1.0 TSI auto hatch: $19,990
Monte Carlo 1.0 TSI auto hatch: $25,490

1.0 TSI manual wagon: $18,490
1.0 TSI auto wagon: $21,490
Monte Carlo 1.0 TSI auto wagon: $26,990

How much is the 2019 Skoda Rapid?
1.4 TSI auto hatch: $24,990