Skip advert
Advertisement
Car group tests

Skoda Fabia vs Hyundai i20

Can Skoda’s classier Fabia scale the heights of the supermini class and beat the Hyundai i20?

The supermini class is hugely important for manufacturers, as sales are potentially enormous. However, as there are lots of contenders in the sector, a car needs to be really special to stand out from the crowd.

Best small cars

One model hoping to make an impact is the new Skoda Fabia. The third-generation model is on sale now, and while the 1.2-litre turbo petrol version had to give second best to the Volkswagen Polo in its first test, Skoda expects the 1.0-litre model tested here to be the biggest seller in the range.

To find out how it compares, we’ve lined up another recent arrival – the new Hyundai i20. The Korean supermini is bigger than ever and delivers a generous level of kit, while its list price is similar to the Fabia’s.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best superminis on the market

The diesel model impressively had the measure of the hard-to-beat Polo in a previous test, so can the 1.2 petrol version deliver a similar winning display against the Fabia?

Skoda Fabia review

Hyundai i20 review

Follow the links above to read individual reviews, and scroll down to see which supermini comes out on top in this twin-test...

Head-to-head

Gadgets

When cars like these are so evenly matched, it’s the little things that can add appeal. Both models have USB sockets for connecting MP3 players, but the i20 includes two 12V sockets instead of one.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Fabia

2020 Skoda

Fabia

37,360 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £8,700
View Fabia
Fabia

2022 Skoda

Fabia

34,483 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,400
View Fabia
Fabia

2018 Skoda

Fabia

36,295 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £7,697
View Fabia
Fabia

2017 Skoda

Fabia

51,256 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £6,990
View Fabia

However, the Fabia has useful touches elsewhere. There’s an ice scraper fixed to the inside of the fuel filler flap, while bag hooks and a semi-circular basket in the side of the boot stop small items from sliding around.

Flexible touches

The Fabia’s 330-litre boot has a low lip, so it’s easier to load than the i20’s 301-litre area. Skoda also allows you to mount the parcel shelf at half-height, although we can’t see any real reason why. However, unlike in the i20, the Fabia’s back seats don’t fold flat, and there’s no underfloor storage.

Emissions

There’s only 11g/km difference between our duo, but the Fabia’s 108g/km emissions put it in a lower tax bracket than the i20. Private buyers probably won’t quibble about the £10 extra the Hyundai costs, while lower-rate business users will see an annual difference of £51 between the two.

Verdict

1st place: Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia - front tracking

This test proves exactly how tough competition in the supermini class is, because the Fabia wins here by the tiniest margin. It’s as roomy as the i20 inside, but the boot is bigger and there are more practical touches throughout. While the Skoda was slower at the track, it rarely felt out of its depth on the open road, while stop-start should ensure decent economy. Add in a livelier drive and better safety kit, and it edges victory.

2nd place: Hyundai i20

Although the Fabia came out on top, you certainly wouldn’t feel short-changed if you chose the i20. It’s spacious inside and feels well built, while the 1.2 petrol is a smooth performer, although if it had stop-start it would be even more cost effective. However, the i20 is pretty ordinary to drive, while the lack of personalisation options and advanced safety kit will be a stumbling block for some buyers.

Key specs:

 Skoda Fabia 1.0 MPI (75) SEHyundai i20 1.2 (84) SE
On the road price/total as tested£12,760/£13,735£12,725/£13,220
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)£5,653/44.3%£5,574/43.8%
Depreciation£7,107£7,151
Annual tax liability std/higher rate£356/£712£407/£813
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)£1,615/£2,692£1,400/£2,334
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost3/£292/B/£207/£302/C/£30
Service costs£479 (3yrs/30k)£349 (3yrs)
   
Length/wheelbase3,992/2,470mm4,035/2,570mm
Height/width1,467/1,732mm1,474/1,734mm
Engine3cyl in-line/999cc4cyl in-line/1,248cc
Peak power/revs74/6,200 bhp/rpm83/6,000 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs95/3,000 Nm/rpm122/4,000 Nm/rpm
Transmission5-speed man/fwd5-speed man/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel45 litres/£8550 litres/space saver
Boot capacity (seats up/down)330/1,150 litres301/1,017 litres
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight980/530/800kg1,158/422/910kg
Turning circle/drag coefficient9.8 metres/0.32Cd10.2 metres/0.30Cd
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery3yrs (60,000)/3yrs5yrs (unlimited)/5yrs
Service intervals/UK dealers10,000 miles (1yr)/13520,000 miles (1yr)/162
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.1st/4th18th/13th
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars81/81/69/5N/A
   
0-60/30-70mph14.8/15.3 seconds12.2/12.8 seconds
30-50mph in 3rd/4th7.5/11.4 seconds6.1/10.3 seconds
50-70mph in 5th18.2 seconds17.7 seconds
Top speed/rpm at 70mph107mph/3,700rpm106mph/3,000rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph49.3/35.3/8.8m51.1/37.2/8.9m
Noise outside/idle/30/70mph59/43/64/68dB55/40/62/69dB
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range35.8/7.9/354 miles41.3/9.1/454 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined48.7/67.3/58.9mpg42.8/67.3/55.4mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined10.7/14.8/13.0mpl9.4/14.8/12.2mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket182/108g/km/14%158/119g/km/16%
   
Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/cameraSix/yes/yes/noSix/yes/yes/no
Auto gearbox/stability/cruise controlNo/yes/£180No/yes/yes
Climate control/leather/heated seats£300/no/£180No/no/no
Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go£535/no/£320£495/no/no
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/BluetoothNo/yes/yes/yesNo/yes/no/yes
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £1,717 off RRP*Used from £8,700
Skoda Scala

Skoda Scala

RRP £21,150Avg. savings £2,895 off RRP*Used from £7,995
Skoda Octavia

Skoda Octavia

RRP £21,495Avg. savings £2,549 off RRP*Used from £10,476
KIA Ceed

KIA Ceed

RRP £19,965Used from £6,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
Vauxhall Corsa Electric main image

Vauxhall Corsa Electric review

In-depth reviews
3 Jul 2025
Toyota Yaris review
Toyota Yaris - main menu

Toyota Yaris review

In-depth reviews
26 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
Super-luxury Renault Rafale is the French president's new trump card
Presidential Renault Rafale - front static

Super-luxury Renault Rafale is the French president's new trump card

The Rafale was chosen to showcase ‘French excellence and art de vivre’
News
16 Jul 2025
Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition pays homage to the Clio Williams
Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition - front

Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition pays homage to the Clio Williams

The Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition has been created by Dutch company Re-volve and is limited to just 25 units
News
16 Jul 2025