Skoda Fabia review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
With tremendous boot space and plenty of room for passengers, the Fabia supermini offers a level of practicality from a class above
Skoda offers the Fabia as a five-door model only, with an estate version now off the menu. Buyers seeking a few more creature comforts and useful standard kit might be better served upgrading to the SE Comfort trim, which offers extras such as front fog lights, a multifunction steering wheel, adjustable lumbar support for the front seats and rear parking sensors.
The top-spec SE L model features a host of equipment that makes life a touch easier on the road, particularly if you plan on covering more miles on motorways as well as in-town driving. Integrated sat-nav, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and a front centre armrest are all standard, while there are various optional packs that allow you to specify items such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging function and front parking sensors.
Size
Measuring 4,108mm long, 1,780mm wide and standing 1,459mm tall, the latest Fabia has a bigger footprint than its predecessor. In comparison, the Renault Clio isn’t as long at 4,050mm, although is slightly wider at 1,798mm.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The Fabia’s extra 111mm in length means it’s more spacious in the cabin than before. Both the driver and front passenger should easily be able to find a comfortable seating position, while those travelling in the rear benefit from exceptional knee room – we think equal to that found in the Mercedes A-Class. Headroom is good, too, and remains so even if you specify the optional panoramic glass roof.
Boot
The previous Fabia model had a decent 330-litre boot, including handy luggage hooks and useful compartments for assorted oddments. The fourth-generation model offers similar practical touches, but with an increased 380-litre load space. If you fold the rear seats, luggage capacity rises to 1,190 litres.
Only the Renault Clio’s 391-litre boot space trumps the Fabia’s and, as a marker of how close today’s superminis are to more traditional hatchbacks, the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf also tops out at 380 litres.
