Has anyone driven or preferably owned both a Polo Tsi and a Fabia Tsi? Which is the better car?

These articles compare the Polo and Fabia and should give you a well-balanced view.

https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/comparisons/skoda-fabia-vs-volkswagen-polo

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-group-tests/89672/skoda-fabia-vs-volkswagen-polo-2023-twin-test-review

Regarding your other enquiry about choosing a manual or DSG automatic transmission Fabia Mk4 for your wife to drive, I have a 2024 Fabia SE L with 110PS 1.0litre motor and DSG transmission and I've no complaints about the 'marriage' between motor and transmission (and I'm obsessively critical!)

My wife (aged 83) is 'non-technical', has also never driven an automatic car and is definitely not going to start now. If you are really concerned about your wife getting to grips with a Fabia DSG, I suggest you let her familiarise herself with your Q5 (I assume that's an Audi Q5) and see how she adjusts to that. If your wife is happy with the Q5, get a DSG Fabia: If she dislikes the Q5's DSG transmission, get a manual Fabia.

5 hours ago, DerekU said:

These articles compare the Polo and Fabia and should give you a well-balanced view.

https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/comparisons/skoda-fabia-vs-volkswagen-polo

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-group-tests/89672/skoda-fabia-vs-volkswagen-polo-2023-twin-test-review

Regarding your other enquiry about choosing a manual or DSG automatic transmission Fabia Mk4 for your wife to drive, I have a 2024 Fabia SE L with 110PS 1.0litre motor and DSG transmission and I've no complaints about the 'marriage' between motor and transmission (and I'm obsessively critical!)

My wife (aged 83) is 'non-technical', has also never driven an automatic car and is definitely not going to start now. If you are really concerned about your wife getting to grips with a Fabia DSG, I suggest you let her familiarise herself with your Q5 (I assume that's an Audi Q5) and see how she adjusts to that. If your wife is happy with the Q5, get a DSG Fabia: If she dislikes the Q5's DSG transmission, get a manual Fabia.

She refuses to try my Q5 (too big). I was going to hire a small auto for a week, but although the charges are reasonable, the excesses and insurance to reduce the excesses are ridiculous

Generally, an experienced driver accustomed to a 'stick shift' should adapt fairly rapidly to an automatic car; vice versa, with three foot pedals not two, it's more of a challenge.

Why not trot along to a Skoda dealership and ask if they have a Fabia with DSG that your wife could try? I don't think there's any issue with a Fabia Mk4's small 3-cylinder motor not being a good match for the DSG transmission and a longish test drive should be enough for your wife to decide if she feels OK with the DSG or would prefer to stay with a manual gearbox.

If you are looking at both Fabia and VW Polo then might also be worth looking at Seat Ibiza too.

They are all very similar under the skin, and many of the parts and controls are identical. However specs vary between them and the various grades, VW tend to put less in as standard, but on other hand no point in paying for something unlikely to use.

Ultimately going to depend on what you can source at a price you are happy to pay.

Was looking for a car for my son to learn to drive in and looked at Polo and Fabia manual. Went for the Fabia as it seemed slightly more roomey and there were more 5 door available at time.

Daughter had an UP! and it was pretty simple and very basic but gave her no probems at all. I reckon take a test drive in a few and see which one you like best. They are all VW underneath.

Alasdair

My wife is a bit younger than yours, she has driven an auto Fabia for 23 years, currently a 2025 1.0 DSG, with no problems, but as we get older and our joints get stiffer the benefits of not needing to use the left leg to operate the clutch, become more important. This advantage of an auto is greatest in slow speed manouvering and start stop traffic. Another key factor in your choice might be seat adjustability and visibility.

My daughter has a 20 plate fabia and there is also a 21 plate polo in the family so I have direct comparison, drive wise there is no difference, the polo cabin and entertainment system is nicer the question would be is it worth the additional cost.

I doubt it matters much. Go for one with the extra bhp because our mc 1.0 TS feels very responsive. The choice of petrol cars is now woeful. I have just had our Fabia 4 serviced. There was one Fabia 4 tucked away at the end of the showroom. All the other new vehicles in there were huge SUVs at eye watering prices.