Added: 17 July 2023
In this comprehensive Škoda Fabia review, we'll explore the car's features, performance, reliability, and much more.
Škoda is a highly respected automaker. But it hasn't always been that way, and the manufacturer was once the subject of car jokes. However, since the comeback of the Škoda Octavia, the brand has reinvented itself. Although not regarded as high-performance machines, Škoda combines style and reliability at affordable prices.
At Heritage Škoda, we are pleased to offer a wide range of Škoda vehicles, including the reliable and best-selling Fabia. Below we answer some of the most common questions you might have about the Škoda Fabia.
The Fabia is one of Škoda's more compact vehicles. Yet, with sporty looks and a hatchback design, the car stands up to some of its larger cousins in terms of performance, practicality and reliability.
Škoda is owned and operated by the German VW Group Volkswagen, which purchased the Czech company in 1991. Since then, the brand has been reinvented and sells over 1 million cars yearly.
The Škoda Fabia has won a considerable number of awards over its lifetime. This is now over 170 individual awards.
A tiny sample consists of the following:
The Škoda Fabia is a safe car awarded high safety ratings by several independent organisations. The Škoda Fabia is an excellent option if you are looking for a safe vehicle.
Some of these accolades consist of the following:
Euro NCAP awarded The Škoda Fabia a 5-star safety rating in 2022. This is the highest possible safety rating awarded by Euro NCAP.
The Fabia scored well in all testing areas, including adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist.
The Škoda Fabia was also awarded a 5-star safety rating by ANCAP in 2022. This is the highest possible safety rating awarded by ANCAP.
The Škoda Fabia was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. This is the highest possible safety rating awarded by the IIHS.
The Fabia scored well in all testing areas, including moderate overlap front crash, side impact crash, roof strength, and head restraint system.
The Škoda Fabia comes with several engine options. Some of the most common ones available are:
The Škoda Fabia comes packed full of safety features. These include, but are not limited to:
Like most Škoda models, the Fabia is manufactured in the Czech Republic at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav. However, since Volkswagen owns the company, some models and components are made in China, Russia and India at VW plants.
To this date, Škoda Fabia cars, including the brand-new fourth-generation model, are made at the Mladá Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic. However, most Škoda's call the main plant home since VW still uses the plant in operations since acquiring Škoda wholly in 2000.
Young drivers may prefer the racy and sporty stylings of a VW Golf as a first car. But the Škoda Fabia makes a great first car for anyone of any age because of its moderate speeds, overall reliability and excellent fuel economy.
While the Fabia is a great car, you might be looking for an alternative. The VW Polo is close to the Škoda Fabia and the Seat Ibiza. The VW Polo uses the same chassis and engine as the Fabia since they come from the same manufacturer.
Some of their key differences include:
Although it could be considered a budget option, the Skoda Fabia doesn't skip on features. Past models may have only some bells and whistles as higher-end equivalents. Despite being classed as a budget option, the newer fourth-generation Škoda Fabia boasts impressive build quality.
Yes, Fabias are fitted with AC. All Skoda Fabia models are equipped with air conditioning. In addition, the Skoda Fabia is equipped with factory-installed air-conditioning with rear AC vents that contribute to fatigue-free driving.
Both the petrol and diesel models of the Škoda Fabia have a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres. Because of this, you can travel up to 600 miles before refuelling with the 1.4 TDI model and up to 500 miles when driving a petrol version. However, petrol models cost far less to fill.
For such a small car, the boot capacity of a Skoda Fabia is quite generous, especially with the seats down. Seats up, you get around 330 Litres; with seats down, you can maximise the space to a whopping 1,400L.
Like most cars, you are interested primarily in performance and reliability, and the Fabia doesn't disappoint. Like similar makes and models in its class, it is one of the most reliable vehicles you can currently purchase.
Based on user reviews and feedback from auto sites, Škoda scores high on the reliability charts with 4 out of 5 stars on average. Škoda also scored highly, with 77 problems per 100 vehicles. On average, other brands in the industry have 114 problems per 100 vehicles.
Are you wondering about Škoda Fabia's performance on motorways? The Fabia isn't a high-performance machine but is designed for urban transportation. Therefore, it won't perform like a BMW M4 on the motorway. However, it is more than adequate for motorway travel, and you will go far with Fabia's excellent fuel economy.
Because it isn't designed for speed and acceleration, the Škoda Fabia is front-engined, front-wheel drive like most cars. This means that while you won't be taking off from the traffic lights, you can count on the Fabia for a robust and steady drive.
Although it isn't built for speed and is front-wheel drive, you can choose between a turbo and non-turbo Fabia. However, both engines have a capacity of 1.0 litres. Yet various factors dictate performance, and a Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) is also available with the turbo model.
To date, the fastest Škoda Fabia is the vRS model. This model operates via a seven-speed DSG transmission with a turbo engine. At the top configuration, the Skoda Fabia vRS will reach speeds of 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds with a maximum speed of 139mph.
You might be curious about Skoda Fabia maintenance because of its features and performance. Along with other standard manufacturers like Ford, Renault, and Fiat, Škoda is among the cheapest in maintenance and repair. The following services are recommended
Additionally, Škoda offers a generous serving policy, with the first three being free with the Škoda Rapid option.
The Škoda Fabia is a compact five doors, five-seater hatchback. It isn't overly heavy or bulky; weight and dimensions contribute to performance and fuel economy. Here we answer questions about the size and weight of the Fabia.
As stated, the Fabia is a relatively small car. Yet this shouldn't put you off. Although it is a hatchback, the Fabia offers enough space for your weekly shop or travel luggage with ease. Options and models increase the size, but the base Škoda Fabia dimensions are as follows:
Fabia's compact size makes it ideal for city and urban environments where space is limited. This means you should be able to park on a busy street.
Although similar in style and characteristics, the Škoda Fabia is smaller than the Hyundai i10. However, the Fabia is a remarkable improvement over the i10 with a more pleasing style, less weight to carry, and a more powerful engine.
The Škoda Fabia is one of the closest vehicles to the VW Polo. And although they are remarkably similar, they are not the same. On the contrary, both cars are almost identical and in the same class. However, Polo uses a more advanced MQB A0 platform. The only Škoda to use this platform is the brand new Scala.
You only need to lift the bonnet to see that Škoda's use VW engines since the VW logo is underneath the Skoda badge on the casing. However, it is Škoda who manufactures the engines and transmissions. All of which are shared across multiple models of the two brands.
Owning and running a car costs money, and prices constantly increase. However, they usually increase with inflation, and costs reflect the times. But you need to know some important stuff before deciding on a purchase.
Many factors dictate your road tax prices. These include fuel economy and carbon emissions. Typically, a lower-emission car costs less. Fortunately, the Fabia is one of the most economical and least polluting cars you can buy. Therefore, Fabia Road Tax will cost between £130 and £315 per year, depending on the configuration.
Over time and with continuous use, your car succumbs to wear and tear. So it would be best if you had it serviced on occasion. This helps keep it in working order and allows you to perform preventive maintenance. Therefore, Škoda recommends you service our Fabia every 10,000 miles driven or every 24 months, whatever you reach first.
There is indeed an estate version of the Fabia. The Škoda Fabia Estate boasts plenty of standard equipment, low running costs, and a spacious interior like the compact model.
The Fabia Estate is much longer than the standard model, with around an additional 275 mm. The extra length contributes to a much larger boot capacity while minimising the effect on performance and style.
Although the Fabia Estate is considerably longer for increased storage, the other dimensions remain unchanged. The width of the Estate model is equal to that of the standard Škoda Fabia at 1,732 mm.
The extra length of a Fabia Estate is a little, but it goes a long way. Compared to the standard version (330 Litres), you get whopping 200 Litres more in the seats-up configuration for 530 Litres. Seats down, you can count on a maximum of 1,395 Litres.
Like all Škoda's, the price of a new Fabia Estate is very reasonable. Coming in at the time of writing at £14,785, the Škoda Fabia Estate, with its larger boot space, is only £1,260 more expensive than the hatchback model. A small price to pay for the vastly increased boot space.
Yes, the Škoda Fabia comes with a spare wheel. The spare wheel is full-sized and stored in a well under the boot floor. It's also important to note that a jack and wheel-changing tools are included.
The Škoda Fabia uses a timing belt rather than a chain. It's generally recommended that you change the timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles to avoid any possible damage to the engine.
Škoda offers a warranty of 3 years or up to 60,000 miles on the Fabia, whichever comes first. This warranty covers any manufacturing defects that may arise and gives you peace of mind.
The Škoda Fabia is among the best in its class. No longer is the manufacturer the butt of jokes but a severe contender in the family car market. You get much of the same at a substantially lower price than high-end brands. Škoda is mainly owned and operated by the VW Group. Škoda vehicles share engines, transmissions, and features in the umbrella corporation. For quality and reliability on a budget, you need to look no further than the Škoda Fabia.
Consequently, buy the Škoda Fabia today to enjoy a smooth and economical drive in the city or on the motorway.
Heritage Škoda has been an approved Audi dealer since 1996 and has been operating for 25 years in Wiltshire. Besides offering new and used vehicles, Motability cars are also available and servicing and MOT testing for Audi and other brands such as Škoda.
Ready to experience the impressive features of Škoda Fabia? Book your test drive today!
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