When one think about premium hatchbacks, two names popup immediately in the mind - Maruti Suzuki Swift and Skoda Fabia. At the outset, Fabia and Swift look similar to one another with the sloping roof and similar styling. Both cars are available in diesel variants. But that is where the similarities end. The Fabia costs a full lakh more than the Swift.

Let’s have a look at how the two cars compare on grounds of performance, drivability, city smartness, and mileage. 60 percent of Maruti Swift cars on the road today are diesel variants and that justifies reduced running costs. Swift crossed the two lakh sales mark recently and Fabia is clocking record numbers for Skoda.

Skoda Fabia comes with a 1.4-litre 3-cylinder diesel engine that produces 69 bhp of power and 115 Nm of peak torque. The car gives a mileage of roughly 21 kmpl on the highway and 16 in the city. The car comes with dual-tone interiors that have an immediate calming effect on the driver. The body construction includes Skoda’s strong build frame. The lighting is reminiscent of the premium Skoda Laura sedan. The air-conditioning cools sooner than in any hatchback or even entry level sedans. Buttons for the music system, lights and vents are ergonomically placed. Plastics on the dashboard and door panels are of high quality. Interior is spacious, the comfort zones can be experienced even when five adults are seated together. The rear row packs a lot of leg room.

The Fabia’s front seats come with height adjustments and the steering wheel is tilt adjustable. The Fabia’s front seats