FABIA first-hand experience: clever, safe, funky

A compact car with a surprisingly big luggage compartment. “It’s just the kind of car I need,” says mother and singer Tonya Graves, who tested the ŠKODA FABIA.

12. 4. 2022 Lifestyle

The new ŠKODA FABIA

The latest step in the evolution of ŠKODA’s design language. It looks sporty and welcoming at the same time. LED headlights, the striking bonnet shape and the distinctive radiator grille give it a dynamic look. The car boasts one of the best-in-class aerodynamics. The FABIA is also top of the class in terms of its boot, which boasts a capacity of 380 litres. The interior is roomy and comfortable, along with a wide range of Simply Clever solutions. Dual-zone air conditioning, extensive connectivity options, up to nine airbags and an array of driving and parking assistance systems are available. The car is powered by 59, 70 and 81-kilowatt engines, with the 110-kilowatt 1.5 TSI unit topping the range.

In addition to essential journeys, the singer also uses the car to get away from the big city – when she wants to take a break, she gets behind the wheel, relaxes and goes to enjoy the countryside.

Was there anything about the FABIA that surprised her? “It’s super easy to drive and when I don’t feel like parking, it can easily park itself! Another surprising feature with this car is the trunk. It’s a lot bigger than you would imagine. Which is important for me. I’m a mom, I have things to do, I shop for myself, I shop for my kids. When you have so many things to do during the day, it’s pretty helpful, especially when you have kids. Everybody gets to charge the phone here, also in the back,” she says.

Singer Tonya Graves tested the ŠKODA FABIA.

Tonya also appreciates the car’s cutting-edge tech. “This car is so smart. It notices how close you are to the car in front of you. It’s safe, I’ve got security when I drive my children in it. The reliability, the safety and the dependability that I count on in ŠKODA. So, yeah, I’m a fan,” she admits. As she drives through Prague in the evening, the speaker instructs her to turn left. Tonya appreciates not only the advice given but also the kind talking company. “I will do exactly that, thank you, Laura. It’s nice sometimes having the little thing to talk with me there. I doesn’t feel so alone in the car.”

Tonya Graves

American singer and actor living in Czechia. She was born in New York State and moved to Prague in 1995. She was in the bands Liquid Harmony and Monkey Business, among others. In 2011 she released her first solo album I’m the Only Me, which was followed in 2015 by the album Back to Blues. She has made occasional film appearances, including I Served the King of England by Oscar-winning director Jiří Menzel, in which she played the Emperor of Abyssinia. She also had a small role in the Netflix production Army of Thieves. In 2019 she took part in StarDance, the Czech ballroom dancing TV contest, and in 2021 she was a member of the Czech jury in the Eurovision Song Contest.