2024 Skoda Fabia adds cheapest model grade in two years

The 2024 Skoda Fabia city hatch has added its most affordable model grade since the current generation arrived in Australian showrooms two years ago.

The new Select variant does not dip under the $30,000 mark – priced from $31,990 drive-away – but the entry-level Fabia is $7000 cheaper than the current Monte Carlo Edition 150.

Once on-road costs are accounted for – which total approximately $4000, depending on the brand – the Skoda Fabia Select is priced in line with a top-of-the-range Mazda 2 GT ($28,070 plus on-road costs), or a base Volkswagen Polo Life ($29,490 plus on-road costs).

It is slightly more expensive than a Suzuki Swift GLX Turbo, which costs $31,290 to $31,790 drive-away depending on where it is registered, while the most affordable Toyota Yaris Hybrid starts from about $32,000 drive-away in NSW.

Skoda Australia says the Fabia is larger than its peers inside – with a 380-litre boot bigger than some cars in the Toyota Corolla-sized class above – and comes with a seven-year warranty, unlike the five years offered by VW, Suzuki, Mazda and Toyota.

It is powered by a smaller 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, making 85kW and 200Nm, matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

It compares to the 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder of the Monte Carlo, which will soon lose the Edition 150 tag and receive "revised specification" that is yet to be detailed.

Compared to the current Monte Carlo Edition 150, the Select misses out on a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, 9.2-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, heated seats, 18-inch alloys, blacked-out styling, dual-zone climate control, sports suspension, better LED headlights, and other extras.

But the Select is equipped in line with mid-grade variants of rival city cars, with 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, an 8.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 8.0-inch instrument display, keyless entry/start, fabric seats, air conditioning, and a suite of safety features.

Skoda says the Fabia Select can be had through the company's in-house financing arm – backed by a guaranteed future value program – for an estimated $81 per week, based on a 20 per cent deposit, 60-month term and 15,000km annual limit.

These parameters can be varied for different weekly prices via the calculator on the Skoda website.

The 2024 Skoda Fabia Select is available to order now ahead of the first showroom arrivals in August.

The 'Select' badge is planned to be applied to entry-level variants of the facelifted Kamiq city SUV due in July, refreshed Scala due in August, and a just-announced updated Karoq also due in August.