Skoda Fabia Combi Scoutline 2019: tiny wagon gets rugged makeover

Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

The incoming Skoda Fabia has just been given a rugged makeover, with the Czech brand today revealing a Scoutline Combi wagon version of its city-sized car.

While Skoda promises more "adventure DNA", the Scoutline isn't a true adventuer in the tune of the brand's proper Scout models. Instead, it mostly just looks more adventurous.

But it does look good, right? Those wheels are 16- or 17-inch alloys, and the bigger size especially perfectly fills the Fabia's new matt black wheel arches. The side sills are now matt black, too, as is a new front spoiler, while the new rear bumper and diffuser are trimmed in silver, as are the wing mirrors and roof rails.

Elsewhere, though, this Combi Scoutline version of the 2019 Fabia benefits from the same updates revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.


An update rather than an all-new model, the new Fabia gets LED lights front and rear, while the grille and headlights have been redesigned, too. Inside, expect a new set-up in the driver's binnacle, as well as new seat materials and dash trims. The 6.5-inch infotainment screen is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-equipped, and there are USB connection points for front and backseat riders.

New safety features include auto light assist, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Under the bonnet, expect no change from the current line-up, with the Fabia range in Australia to make use of a pair of petrol engines (70kW and 81kW) paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic.

There's no word yet on whether the Scoutline version will join the new Fabia range when it arrives in Australia towards the end of this year.

Is the Fabia Scoutline the non-SUV you've been waiting for? Tell us in the comments below.

Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technology Policy Awards 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
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