Skoda has unveiled the rugged-looking Fabia Combi Scoutline. It comes with all the features that the new Fabia hatchback has but, even though the car seems loaded, it does not come with what a rugged car is supposed to have – an all-terrain drive system and a strong engine.

The Skoda Fabia Combi Scoutline is Practical but Far from Engaging

At the Geneva Motor Show this year, Skoda introduced the facelifted Fabia with a host of features like LED lighting, 18-inch wheels, and an updated infotainment system, to name a few. While the Fabia Combi Scoutline also got these features, Skoda skipped out on what defines the ‘ruggedness’ of the car –it's only offered with a three-pot engine and front-wheel-drive.

What's New About the Skoda Fabia Combi Scoutline?

The Fabia Combi Scoutline comes with changes that are offered on the rest of the Scout models in the family as well, like the “distinctive bodywork elements in matt black and silver as well as 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels.” If you would like to dress the car a little, you can equip it with LED headlights and taillights, and you can make it a little safer as well with assist systems like Auto Light Assist, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Traffic Alert.

Under The Hood

While the rest of the Scout models benefit from an all-wheel-drive system, the Fabia Combi Scoutline conspicuously misses it. However, it is offered with all the engine options afforded to the standard Fabia Combi. A naturally aspirated, 1.0-liter, three-cylinder MPI engine comes with two different power output; one that produces 60 horses, and the other with 75 horses. There is another 1.0-liter TSI engine in two different states of tunes as well - one churns out 95 horses, and the other produces 110 horsepower.

The engines that spit out more power are turbocharged and come with a particulate filter to make them cleaner. Just like the hatchback, the Skoda Fabia Combi Scoutline is not offered with a diesel engine.

Our Take

Although the Skoda Fabia Combi Scoutline is meant for practicality and utility more than being a ‘driver’s car’, we believe the Czech automaker could have added an all-wheel-drive option and a stronger engine as well. There are a lot of people who would want to go for this car, but will look elsewhere just because it as rugged as it should be. What are your thoughts on the Fabia Combi Scoutline? Let us know in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2015 Skoda Fabia.