Skoda Fabia review
If you’re after an affordable supermini with plenty of space, comfort and on-board technology, then the Skoda Fabia won’t disappoint
Our opinion on the Skoda Fabia
Skoda hasn’t lost sight of what has made its Fabia supermini so successful after more than 20 years in production. More practical than ever, with greater passenger space and modern on-board tech, the Fabia has been fine-tuned from what was already a pretty compelling package into one of the best superminis you can buy.
Throw in the fourth-generation Fabia’s sharper styling, reassuring levels of safety kit and some keen pricing, which undercuts its Volkswagen Polo sibling, and the appeal of the Skoda brand’s latest supermini is pretty obvious.
About the Skoda Fabia
It’s fair to say that today’s superminis are not the compact runabouts they once were. Always a popular choice for its mix of affordability, practicality, and ease of use, the humble small hatch has faced a new era of safety regulation, combined with buyers demanding improved quality, extra space, and greater comfort. All of this has led to more sizeable models being designed and brought to market.
Lucky, then, that this five-door supermini benefits from using the same MQB-A0 platform as its Polo and Ibiza cousins. This architecture also underpins the Skoda Scala family car and Skoda Kamiq SUV, and its lightness helps to keep the Fabia’s weight roughly the same as its predecessor – an impressive feat given that the newer car is both longer and wider.
Used - available now
2023 Skoda
Fabia
20,655 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £15,490
2021 Skoda
Fabia
46,354 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £9,395
2018 Skoda
Fabia
50,166 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £8,559
2021 Skoda
Fabia
12,153 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L
Cash £13,755As a testament of how competent the Fabia is, it came out on top in our twin test review against the Volkswagen Polo; we saw the Fabia as being ‘virtually impossible to overlook”, and it was only pipped to the post by the Renault Clio in a subsequent triple test that also featured the Honda Jazz because the Renault often has more competitive finance deals.
Skoda Fabia prices and latest deals
The Fabia line-up starts with the SE Edition trim, which is priced from around £21,000. The mid-spec Design Edition comes in at closer to £22,000, while kited-out SE L trim pushes the price up to nearly £24,000. For the sporting enthusiast, there’s the Fabia Monte Carlo, which brings in unique cosmetic interior and exterior tweaks, and this’ll set you back just under £24,500. However, for those who are mourning the departure of the old Fabia vRS, the latest Fabia 130 may scratch this itch with its boosted power and hot hatch looks. This zesty supermini starts from £30,000.
Whichever variant takes your fancy, you can save an average of up to £1,900 when you build your perfect Skoda Fabia through the Auto Express Buy a Car service. We also have a wide selection of new Fabia deals, along with plenty of used Skoda Fabias in stock right now.
Performance & driving experience
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The previous generation Fabia was a decent car to drive, although it didn’t offer much entertainment once out of town and tackling the twisty stuff. The latest model utilises a newer platform, which brings increased rigidity and less weight, helping to improve handling and make the Fabia a little bit more fun.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| Fabia 1.0 MPI 80 SE Edition | 79bhp | 15.7 seconds | 108mph |
| Fabia 1.0 TSI 116 SE L Edition | 114bhp | 9.3 seconds | 125mph |
| Fabia 1.5 TSI 177 130 DSG | 174bhp | 7.4 seconds | 141mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
The core Fabia range won’t set your pants on fire with its sprinting ability. In fact, the base 79bhp MPI powerplant takes an eye-watering 15.7 seconds to get from 0 to 62mph. This won’t be a problem when you’re in town, but reaching motorway speeds will feel like an eternity.
If you can afford it, we’d highly recommend the turbocharged TSI engines as much better all-rounders. The 94bhp 1.0-litre variant brings an increased torque figure of 175Nm (compared to 93Nm for the MPI), with acceleration from 0-62mph improving to a much more respectable 10.7 seconds. Opting for the more powerful 114bhp 1.0-litre engine increases torque even further to 200Nm and reduces the sprint time to 9.3 seconds for the six-speed manual and 9.7 seconds for the DSG automatic version.
For even more grunt, the 148bhp 1.5-litre engine benefits from 250Nm of torque and manages the 0-62mph sprint in 8.0 seconds. The hottest Fabia for those craving entertainment is the Fabia 130, which also features the 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. Here it’s cranked up to deliver 174bhp, chopping the 0-62mph time to 7.2 seconds, before romping on to a top speed of 141mph.
Town driving, visibility and parking
It might be one of the more spacious cars in this sector, but the Fabia still feels like a supermini from behind the wheel. You’ll be glad of this when navigating the tight urban streets, because all-around visibility is fine. What the Fabia lacks in driving excitement (excluding the hot 130), is more than made up for in driving ease and a smooth low-speed ride.
If you’re doing a lot of stop-start driving, we’d recommend opting for a manual gearbox rather than the DSG automatic. The latter can be frustratingly jerky at slower speeds, which is quite jarring when performing manoeuvres, such as trying to park.
Country road driving and handling
The core Fabia line-up focuses on comfort rather than performance and delivers an easy, relaxing drive. The soft suspension results in more body lean while cornering than we expected, but it does so in a controlled and predictable manner.
The five- and six-speed manual gearboxes are typically light, but remain reassuringly accurate and precise when shifting. For those who prefer an automatic, the seven-speed DSG that’s an option with the larger engines copes far better at higher speeds on the open road than it does in town.
Along with a power boost, the hotter Fabia 130 gets revised suspension and steering to increase the fun factor.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
The Fabia’s focus on comfort means it’s one of the smoother superminis when it reaches motorway speeds. It's also quiet in the cabin most of the time, but we did notice some tyre roar as we moved closer to the 70mph national speed limit.
The turbocharged 1.0 TSI petrol engine has been revised during the Fabia’s lifetime, and its power has gradually been boosted during that time, culminating in a choice of either 94bhp or 114bhp. The latter is a particularly good match for the Fabia, providing sufficient extra power and torque that you won’t have to work it too hard to make decent progress. Its extra gear ratios help to keep the noise down by keeping the revs lower. However, be careful not to mix this engine up with the base 1.0 MPi, because this unit feels particularly strained when pushed hard. We’d only go for this if you really want to save the pennies.
Naturally, the largest 1.5 TSI engine copes even better with higher speeds, and the 174bhp Fabia 130 will make overtaking a lot more fun. However, you’ll have to pay a good few thousand more for the pleasure.
“While the Fabia’s engine doesn’t have the initial low-down punch of the Vauxhall Corsa’s hybrid set-up, it’s much quicker once moving, and the power delivery is more linear and the engine transmits less vibration into the cabin, so it’s very impressive overall.” - Alex Ingram, chief reviewer.
MPG & running costs
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Skoda has opted not to include mild- or plug-in hybrid tech in the latest iteration of the Fabia. However, it has improved the efficiency of the existing MPI and TSI petrol engines. The brand claims you’ll see around 54.8mpg for the 79bhp MPI, and around 56mpg from both the 94bhp and 114bhp 1.0-litre TSI engines when fitted with a manual gearbox.
Fuel economy dips slightly if you opt for the DSG automatic. At most you’ll see 53.5mpg on the WLTP combined cycle from the 114bhp engine, dropping slightly to 53mpg for the 148bhp lump.
While more exciting cars often mean dreary efficiency, the Skoda Fabia 130’s stats are still fairly modest by hot hatch standards. So the good news is that it’s still frugal enough to be an everyday car. Skoda claims a maximum of 50.7mpg if you don’t constantly have your right foot on the floor, and this is still highly respectable.
After covering nearly 9,000 miles in our Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI long-term test car, we averaged 55.4mpg, which is impressive considering the lack of hybrid technology. That said, if fuel economy is a priority for you, during our group test against the Skoda Fabia and (now defunct) Ford Fiesta, the full-hybrid Toyota Yaris managed to return 68.8mpg, compared to the 55.4mpg we got from the Skoda and the Ford's 58.9mpg.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| Fabia 1.0 MPI 80 SE Edition | 54.8mpg | 117g/km | 4 |
| Fabia 1.0 TSI 116 SE L Edition | 53.5mpg | 114g/km | 15 |
| Fabia 1.5 TSI 177 130 DSG | 50.7mpg | 126g/km | 22 |
Insurance groups
Insurance premiums for the Fabia shouldn't be too alarming. As a matter of fact, the 1.0 MPI is one of the cheapest cars to insure in the UK, as it only sits in group 4 out of 50. However, you’ll have to be willing to endure its meagre performance.
The TSI-powered members of the line-up reside between groups 11 and 20, while the higher-powered Fabia 130 pushes insurance up to group 22.
In comparison, the Fabia’s sibling, the Volkswagen Polo, ranges from groups 3 to 23. The Renault Clio, meanwhile, finds itself in groups 10 to 15, but it’s worth noting that there’s no hot variant of this supermini.
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Tax
No Fabia escapes being charged VED road tax, but every model does at least avoid the £40,000 luxury car tax threshold, and this includes the range-topping 130.
Company car buyers who want to make big savings on Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax will be better off looking towards the growing electric supermini market. Models like the Renault 5 and BYD Dolphin sit as low as three per cent.
Depreciation
Our expert data suggests that residual values for the Skoda Fabia supermini remain on par with rivals, because it is expected to retain between 42 and 46 per cent of its initial value after a period of three years or 36,000 miles. The badge appeal of the Volkswagen Polo does give it a slight advantage, though, because it holds on to 46 to 49 per cent. The Clio performs even better, maintaining an average of 47 to 53 per cent.
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Interior, design & technology
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The fourth-gen Skoda Fabia is a bigger car than its predecessor and, with its sharper exterior styling, it 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.
Interior and dashboard design
The Skoda’s 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 ahead of the Fabia for interior charm.
Skoda’s reputation for sensible and ergonomic design is on full display here, because the Fabia’s controls are straightforward to use on the move. However, an increasing dependence on touchscreen sub-menus is always something we’re disappointed to see.
Materials and build quality
While a number of lower-cost materials are vital for keeping the Fabia’s price in check, Skoda has done a pretty decent job of making its supermini feel reasonably fancy inside. Everything feels nicely screwed together, and the car’s general quality is easily just as good as the Volkswagen Polo.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
The Fabia gets the same infotainment technology that’s used across other VW Group brands. The entry-level 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 that makes things easier to read, and brings in standard sat-nav. Large on-screen tiles help with navigating the car’s assorted settings.
Design 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.
“That quirky-looking two-spoke steering wheel is not just great to hold, but the chunky buttons and little click wheels to each side are also among the most intuitive to use on any new car.” - Alex Ingram, chief reviewer.
Boot space & practicality
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Skoda only offers the Fabia as a five-door model, and an estate version is no longer on the menu. Buyers seeking a few more creature comforts and useful standard kit (such as manual lumbar adjustment, cruise control, the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster mentioned in the previous section, and electric rear windows) might want to upgrade to the Design Edition trim, but the base SE Edition trim is still well equipped and includes rear parking sensors, a multifunction steering wheel, height adjustment for the driver’s seat and air conditioning.
If you want to add further equipment, there are various optional packs that allow you to specify items such as heated seats, a heated windscreen, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and front parking sensors.
If you need to fit child seats, there are the usual two ISOFIX mounts for the outer rear seats, and another set on the front passenger seat, too.
Dimensions and size
The latest Fabia has a bigger footprint than its predecessor, measuring 4,137mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,482mm tall. In comparison, the Renault Clio isn’t as long at 4,053mm, although it is slightly wider at 1,798mm.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Skoda Fabia | Volkswagen Polo | Renault Clio |
| Length | 4,137mm | 4,074mm | 4,053mm |
| Width | 1,780mm | 1,751mm | 1,798mm |
| Height | 1,482mm | 1,461mm | 1,440mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,560mm | 2,560mm | 2,580mm |
| Boot space | 380 litres | 351 litres | 318 litres |
Seats & passenger space
The Fabia’s extra length means it’s more spacious in the cabin than before. The driver and front passenger should easily find a comfortable seating position, while those travelling in the rear benefit from exceptional knee room. We think the rear space is around equal to that found in the Mercedes A-Class. Headroom is good, too, even if you specify the optional panoramic glass roof.
That said, it may be a squeeze to seat three across the back, as you'd expect in any supermini, but we found that the Fabia's rather large transmission tunnel eats up a lot of foot space. Rear passengers get various sizes of pockets on the back of the front seats, with one regular-sized map pocket and some shallower ones designed for smartphones.
Boot space
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, beating the 355 litres of space offered in the SEAT Ibiza or the 328 litres found in the Dacia Sandero. If you fold the rear seats, the luggage capacity in the Fabia rises to 1,190 litres.
It’s a marker of how close today’s superminis are to more traditional hatchbacks that you’ll find a similarly sized 380 litre boot in the Volkswagen Golf Mk8.
“By every measure, the Fabia is more spacious in the back than the Vauxhall Corsa. The extra kneeroom and foot space beneath the front seats is welcome, but for taller people, it’s the extra headroom – roughly 75mm or so – that will be of most benefit.” - Alex Ingram, chief reviewer.
Reliability & safety
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It may be a supermini, but the Skoda Fabia comes with big-car levels of safety kit. The entry-level SE Edition model has an autonomous emergency braking system (AEB). It helps avoid or mitigate potential collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists at low speeds by automatically applying brakes if an impending collision is detected. The base car also features lane-keeping assist, which can identify an unintended lane departure and automatically correct the steering.
The fourth-generation Fabia achieved the full five-star rating when it was put through Euro NCAP's battery of crash safety tests in 2021. It received an 85 per cent score for adult occupant protection and 81 per cent in the child occupant protection category.
The Fabia didn't feature in the most Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, but Skoda only managed a middling 12th position out of 31 brands in the best car manufacturers poll. While this isn’t a headline-grabbing score, it did at least place Skoda well ahead of VW (27th).
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2021) |
| Adult occupant protection | 85% |
| Child occupant protection | 81% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 70% |
| Safety assist | 71% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI SE L Edition
If you want the very best technology and kit the Skoda Fabia has to offer, you’ll need to fork out for the SE L trim. That being said, it’s still rather affordable.
This trim comes with the more powerful 114bhp 1.0-litre TSI engine, which gives the Fabia a six-speed gearbox that offers a little more capability and refinement for both shorter and longer journeys. It’ll be efficient, too, with enough room for a small family. We’d avoid the DSG automatic unless you cannot drive a manual, as it’s more expensive and isn’t the most refined transmission.
Skoda Fabia alternatives
While the Fabia still has to face the challenge presented by established supermini rivals like the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa, it also has to stand up to its own siblings, the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza. If that wasn’t enough, there are also a number of hybrid-powered competitors from further afield to consider, like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz and Mazda 2 Hybrid.
On top of all this, there are also an increasing number of electric competitors entering the ring. The Renault 5, Fiat Grande Panda and BYD Dolphin all bring mega efficiency with low running costs, and they’re also a far better option for company car drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Skoda offers a three-year/60,000-mile warranty with the Fabia, along with three years of European-wide roadside assistance. At an additional cost, the warranty can be extended for an extra two years.
Deals on the Fabia and alternatives
More reviews
Car group tests
Long-term tests
Road tests
Which Is Best
