Test Car Specifications
Model: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.5 TSI 150 DSG
Price: £27,180 as tested
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: seven-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Emissions: 134-137g/km
Economy: 46.3-47.9mpg
0-62mph: 8.0 seconds
Top speed: 139mph
Boot space: 380 litres
Styling
The appeal of the Monte Carlo models is primarily its sporty styling, and the car delivers that with sportier bumpers and larger 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as glossy black plastic on the door mirrors and radiator grille, as well as Monte Carlo badging and black Skoda lettering at the rear. The result is certainly a car with more intent than the standard car, although neither is what you'd call ugly, even if we remain unsold on black trim on cars.
Interior
As with the exterior, Skoda has made a few changes to the Fabia's cabin for the Monte Carlo model. The basic design is the same, but you get height adjustable sports front seats trimmed with black fabric and artificial leather, as well as a three-spoke steering wheel and red metallic decorative trim. The Monte Carlo also gets black roof lining and carbon-effect lower trim, plus aluminium pedals. Equally importantly, the Monte Carlo comes with a digital instrument display and eight-inch touchscreen, as well as 'keyless' push-button ignition and two-zone climate control. And because it all uses Skoda's last-generation technology, all the infotainment tech works much better than the new systems fitted to the larger Octavia model.
Practicality
Skodas are sold on the basis of value and practicality, and the Fabia certainly hits the spot on both counts. The little hatchback’s boot is just one litre smaller than that of a VW Golf – a negligible difference in anyone’s book – but the external dimensions are more akin to those of the smaller Polo. In fact, the two cars share a platform. It isn’t even like the Fabia has sacrificed cabin space, either. The head- and legroom back there is competitive for a car in this segment of the market.
Performance
Although all Monte Carlos come with some sporty equipment, they don’t all come with a high-performance engine. However, our test car was equipped with the engine of choice – a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol with 150hp. It comes with a seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard, which won’t be to everyone’s taste, but at least the combination works better than in the 1.0-litre Fabia. It certainly provides more performance, with the 0-62mph sprint dealt with in a brisk, but not barmy, eight seconds. It’s more than enough acceleration for most, and it’s matched by very appealing economy of well over 45mpg. You don’t always get that from a hot hatchback.
Ride & Handling
When we tried a mainstream Fabia, we came away slightly unimpressed with the ride comfort, so we didn't hold out much hope for the Monte Carlo with its larger alloy wheels. But somehow it felt only a little stiffer than the standard car, despite providing a hint of extra agility. That, combined with the sporty styling and extra power, made the ride easier to forgive, even if it was occasionally jiggly. It's tolerable, though, and it allows the Fabia to feel quite eager in corners, even if the steering is still unpleasantly numb. It's noisy, too, but it makes up for that by feeling like any other Fabia in town, then transforming into a sporty model when you find a good road. It just has a greater breadth of capability.
Value
Fabia Monte Carlo prices start at £21,125, which sounds quite competitive, but that's only for the basic 1.0-litre version. Yes, you get the diamond-cut 17-inch alloys, sport bumpers and part-leather upholstery, but to get the 1.5-litre version we tested you'll need almost £24,000 burning a hole in your back pocket. All told, our test car cost more than £27,000, and it was still missing a few key features such as cruise control.
Verdict
With the 1.5-litre engine on board and a modicum of sportiness about its attitude, the Fabia Monte Carlo is the most convincing version of the Skoda's supermini yet. It isn't the most exciting car on the planet, but it's still good fun on the right road and it's also surprisingly practical and economical. For most customers, that's all that matters.
