Skoda Fabia - Interior, design and technology

The fourth-gen Skoda Fabia is a bigger car than its predecessor and, with its sharper exterior styling, cuts a more modern shape on the road. The front end includes Skoda’s latest grille and swept-back headlights, along with active cooling vents in the lower bumper that can shut to improve efficiency when travelling at cruising speeds.

At the rear, Skoda has included wider light clusters, a tailgate spoiler and the brand script is written across the boot lid, which all helps inject some much-needed flair to the Fabia’s appearance. The stylish theme continues inside, with the cabin finished in surprisingly high-quality materials and a clear, well-organised dash layout. It all combines to deliver an appealing package, although we feel the Peugeot 208 still just about edges the Fabia for interior charm.

The rotary air-con controls used in SE Comfort and Colour Edition are blissfully straightforward to use on the move. The upgraded dual-zone climate controls that come as standard on SE L and above aren’t quite so easy to use because beyond the two dials to adjust the temperature, you’ll need to delve into the touchscreen if you want to adjust the fan speed or the direction of airflow. This seems needlessly complicated when you consider Skoda’s ethos of functionality.

The high standard of kit is a highlight with the Fabia. The SE Comfort specification brings 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a multi-function steering wheel, height-adjustable front seats, an 8.25-inch central touchscreen with a DAB radio and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus rear parking sensors.

If you’re after improved tech, the Colour Edition model adds the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display, which is also used in several Audi models, plus a few model-specific exterior colour options. 

The high-end SE L has a bigger 9.2-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, plus keyless entry and start. The top-spec Monte Carlo version includes metallic or pearl effect paint as standard, along with 17-inch alloys, black exterior trim, front sports seats and aluminium pedals.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Fabia gets the same up-to-date infotainment technology that’s used across other VW Group brands. The standard 8.25-inch touchscreen controlling the in-car media looks smart, with sharp graphics, although it could be quicker to load certain functions. Higher-spec SE L models and above feature the Amundsen infotainment set-up, with a larger 9.2-inch display (pictured above) that makes things easier to read, and standard sat-nav. The large on-screen tiles help you navigate the car’s assorted settings.

Colour Edition trim and above adds a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display, with a variety of useful screen layouts and information that is easy to read and switch between while on the move. We think it’s the best set-up available compared to any of the systems you'll find in the Fabia's closest rivals.

Wireless phone connectivity is standard, but you’ll need to add the Charging pack that’s available on Colour Edition trim and above to get wireless phone charging.