Added: 23 October 2024
The Skoda Fabia is a well-regarded Supermini known for its great combination of practicalness, fuel economy, and engineering in a small car form from the VW Group.
Since its launch in 1999, the Fabia line has evolved significantly, with the latest Fabia offering you some of the latest modern technology, improved design, and enhanced performance metrics.
So, whether you are a city commuter, first-time buyer, or you need a reliable family or company car, let's find out in this Skoda Fabia review if it is the best choice for you that everybody says it is and if it provides you with a good overall value and driving experience.
✔ Despite its compact size, the Skoda Fabia offers you a surprisingly roomy interior with plenty of legroom and headroom for both your front and rear passengers, with up to 1070mm of legroom in the front and 900 mm in the rear and 1020mm of headroom in the front, and 1,000 mm in the rear for instance.
✔ The Fabia also does bring what we can say is a class-leading boot capacity of 380 litres, which can be expanded to 1,190 litres with the rear seats folded down, making it highly practical for everyday use, especially for a car of its size.
✔ The Fabia is also excellent when it comes to its fuel efficiency with up to 60 MPG real-world range, which will really help to keep your running costs low, making it a very economical choice for your daily commuting as a result.
✔ The Skoda Fabia has a solid build quality, with interior materials that we noticed felt very durable and well-made, contributing to a comfortable and long-lasting cabin.
✔ The Fabia is also very competitively priced within its segment, offering you excellent value for money with a range of features typically found in more expensive cars included as well.
When it comes to its looks, we found that the latest Skoda Fabia features a very sleek and functional design, characterised by clean lines, a modern grille, and sharp LED headlights, to name only a few.
The Colour Edition trim level also adds a lot of vibrant colour options and stylish 15-inch alloy wheels.
The Monte Carlo trim differs by offering you a more sportier look, with unique sports seats and exterior styling elements, for example.
Other exterior features of note that we noticed included rear parking sensors and clear front fog lights, both of which really do enhance your visability and safety while allowing you to easily park the car in tight spaces as well.
This was then supported further by its aerodynamic shape that is clearly designed to reduce your CO2 emissions while increasing your range - which will be one reason it has such a high fuel effienccy of up to 60MPG.
The Skoda Fabia also boasts a very fresh and dynamic exterior design that catches the eye from every angle. For instance, at the front, the Fabia features a distinctive front grille with a modern, sharp-edged look, which is then flanked by some very sleek headlights that give it a very confident and assertive face.
The bold lines on the bonnet then add further to its character, making the front end both stylish and purposeful as a result.
Moving to the side profile, the Fabia gives you a well-proportioned and streamlined silhouette.
For instance, the gently sloping roofline flows smoothly into the rear, giving the car a very dynamic yet balanced appearance.
The pronounced shoulder line then adds a sense of strength to the Hatchback, while the clean, uncluttered surfaces we thought reflect Škoda's commitment to overall simplicity and style in its design.
The alloy wheels and sculpted side panels further enhance the car's sporty and refined look.
At the rear, the Fabia continues to impress with its clean rear design. For example, the rear lights are sharply designed and feature LED elements, adding to the car's very modern look.
The rear bumper, we also thought, is well-integrated, with subtle lines that give the back of the car a very tidy and overall cohesive look.
Every exterior design element has been influenced by aerodynamics to help get that impressive fuel efficiency, from the descending roofline to the angle of the windscreen.
With features such as aero-optimised wing mirrors and an air curtain streamline airflow around the front bumper as well, all the way to the alloy wheels, with their Aero covers that have been crafted to minimise overall air resistance.
From the roof to the chassis, every aspect of the Fabia is fine-tuned for optimal aerodynamics.
For instance, the extended roof spoiler and vertical finlets really do enhance its aerodynamic efficiency, while the chassis covers reduce turbulence and improve airflow beneath the car simultaneously.
The result is enhanced stability and an exhilarating driving experience.
The Fabia’s headlights also mix a crystalline design with LED technology to provide you with clear visibility both day and night.
The dipped beam and dynamic indicators also ensure that other drivers are more than aware of your intentions without being distracted.
While the fog lamps, discreetly positioned in the lower bumper, offer you additional lighting without compromising the car's sharp exterior lines as well.
The Fabia’s rear lights also feature a distinctive horizontal design that captures attention without dazzling other drivers while it does so, we found.
Overall, we thought that the Škoda Fabia's exterior design combines practical features and design elements while giving you a touch of style at the same time, which, to be honest, does make it a bit of a standout choice in its segment on the whole.
Inside the Skoda Fabia one of the first things we noticed is that the cabin is thoughtfully designed with high-quality materials and user-friendly controls on the whole.
For instance, the SE L trim offers you additional comfort features such as climate control, an armrest, and rear air vents.
The Fabia also includes practical touches like an ice scraper in the driver’s door as well along with plenty of storage space and a rearview mirror that offers you clear visibility of who is behind you as well.
The front seats are also very comfortable and supportive, while the rear seats provide you with plenty of legroom and headroom, making it suitable for passengers of all sizes as a result - in fact, we found it ample enough to get 2 good sized adults, or 3 children in the rear with ease.
The Skoda Fabia’s front seats are very comfortable and supportive, allowing both the driver and passenger to be treated to a spacious and, to be honest, a very well-organised cockpit.
The materials used are of good quality, with soft-touch surfaces in key areas, and are very pleasant to feel.
The dashboard we found is also very intuitively laid out, with easy-to-reach controls and a clear, crisp infotainment screen that sits prominently at the centre as well.
The infotainment system features a colour touchscreen and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration either via Bluetooth or USB, which really does help you remain connected while on the go.
The wide-opening rear doors also make it really easy for our passengers to get into the back, which is particularly handy if you are also fitting child seats or helping passengers in and out as well.
Finally, the boot of the Fabia is a real highlight, with its 380-litre boot space making it one of the largest in its segment.
The boot is also well-shaped, with a low-loading lip, making it easy to lift in heavier items.
The rear seats can also be folded down in a 60/40 split, expanding the available space to a generous 1,190 litres - which is perfect for those times when you need to carry bulkier items when you either go on holiday or do the tip run.
The Fabia’s road noise is also well-managed, contributing to a quiet and comfortable ride. So, whether you are driving in the city or on the motorway, Fabia’s performance is reliable and enjoyable for you at the same time.
The Fabia’s dashboard is anything but bland, featuring eye-catching chrome details on the air vents and an instrument panel that really does add a touch of flair to your interior while it does so.
Experience a dynamic 10.25-inch digital display that keeps you informed about everything from your speed to your location.
With up to five customisable viewing modes, all controlled via a button on the multifunction steering wheel, the Virtual Cockpit also adapts to your driving needs and what information you want to see really easily as well.
You can also set the mood inside the Fabia with a good choice of ambient LED lighting options to choose from as well.
These really do set a relaxing interior cabin space, especially at night, as they run along the dashboard, centre console, door handles, and front and rear reading areas, allowing you to easily switch between white and red lighting at the touch of a button to match your interior to your mood.
The Fabia also offers you ample knee and headroom, providing you with more space to relax and just enjoy the ride.
Its ISOFIX connections on the rear seats help you ensure that your younger passengers travel safely while still enjoying a clear view.
You can then embrace rainy days with Fabia’s convenient driver’s door compartment, designed specifically to hold the original Škoda umbrella.
This compartment even features a clever drainage system that channels water away from the car when an umbrella is stored wet - keeping the interior dry when you get back inside as well.
Located in the roof panel near the rearview mirror, you also get an optional USB-C port that is perfect for charging devices mounted on the windscreen, such as front-facing cameras, adding that bit more convenience to your drive without you having to work out how you are going to have to hide the wires for it.
You can also secure larger items easily with cargo elements that attach to the floor using Velcro and can be folded into any angle.
The set of three nets that can come with a brand-new Fabia keeps your items from shifting around whilst you ensure they remain visible when you are trying to see what is where.
When it comes to the colour options you can choose from, you have a wide selection, including:
When it comes to the roof colour options, you can choose from 3 options including:
The spacious centre console also features a comfortable armrest and multiple storage compartments, allowing you to keep your essential items neatly out of sight as well and it also includes a double cup holder for your added convenience.
You can then ensure your backseat passengers stay comfortable and connected with adjustable air vents and two USB-C ports located on the rear side of the front armrest for them as well.
For those cold winter days, you can also keep the chill at bay as the brand-new Fabia comes with heated front seats, offering you a lot of warmth and comfort for your friends and family during those colder days.
Then lastly you can also say goodbye to scraping ice and frost with the heated windscreen feature.
Easily controlled via the infotainment system, it quickly clears frost or condensation, making cold mornings hassle-free and without the need to go outside and scrap it off in the freezing cold as well.
The Skoda Fabia is also available with a range of petrol engines, including the popular TSI engine - which offers you a great balance of power and fuel efficiency.
The Skoda Fabia 1.0-litre engine is a standout, as this powerful engine delivers you impressive fuel consumption figures of up to 60 MPG.
For those who prefer more control, the six-speed manual gearbox is smooth and precise, while the seven-speed DSG automatic provides you with effortless driving.
The Skoda Fabia caters to different driving preferences, with both manual and automatic gearbox options available for you to choose from.
For instance, the six-speed manual gearbox is ideal for those who enjoy a more hands-on driving experience, offering smooth shifts and precise control.
Alternatively, the seven-speed DSG automatic is perfect for those who prefer ease of use - especially in heavy traffic.
On the whole, we found that both transmission options are designed to optimise your fuel efficiency and deliver you a pleasant driving experience, regardless of the road conditions, so the choice of which one to have is more down to you and how you prefer to drive on the whole really.
Safety is a key focus in the Skoda Fabia, which is equipped with a comprehensive safety suite and features, which has enabled the Fabia to earn high 5-star marks from Euro NCAP for its safety features on offer.
These include for instance side airbags, Lane-keeping Assist, and a reinforced body structure to really name only a few.
Full features by model are broken out in our models explained section of this buyer's guide.
Additional features like front-wheel drive stability, traction control, and advanced driver assistance systems, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, also really do help to contribute to the car's overall safety as well.
The Fabia also includes other modern driver aids, like a rearview mirror with automatic dimming, to further enhance your safety and convenience as well.
The Skoda Fabia’s technology suite is designed to keep you connected and entertained while on the go.
The infotainment system, for instance, features a colour touchscreen that is intuitive and responsive.
As stated, it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless smartphone integration.
Then optional upgrades include a Virtual Cockpit, which also provides you with a digital display that shows you key driving information directly on your windscreen as well.
The audio quality is also really good, with options to upgrade to a more powerful sound system for those who want to prioritise a high level of music quality while on the road as well.
The Fabia’s Travel Assist system also combines Adaptive Lane Assist with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to enhance your overall driving comfort.
These systems for instance actively keep your vehicle in its lane while maintaining your speed and a safe distance from the vehicle ahead simultanously.
Reversing and parking are also made easier with the rearview camera. This then displays the area behind your car on the infotainment screen in front of you while providing you with guidelines to help you navigate through tight parking spots while you do so.
You can also stay easily informed of changing speed limits with the optional Traffic Sign Recognition system.
This system uses a camera in the rearview mirror that scans road signs and electronic information boards, providing you with timely notifications to ensure that you don’t miss important updates.
The Skoda Fabia also delivers you a great driving experience on the whole that is both comfortable and engaging.
Its compact dimensions and light steering make it very easy to navigate through city traffic and park in tight spots we found.
On the motorway, the Fabia remains stable and composed, with enough power to cruise comfortably at higher speeds as well.
While it’s not designed as a direct hot hatch, the Fabia handles rougher roads with ease, thanks to its robust suspension of MacPherson Strut with Coil Springs at the front and Torsion Beam with Coil Springs at the rear, which both also help to keep the overall weight down as well.
The car’s Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) levels are also well-controlled, ensuring that you get a quiet and smooth ride even on longer journeys as well.
The Skoda Fabia comes in one of 4 main models, with each of the versions of the Skoda Fabia consisting of, for instance:
Each model differs in a number of key ways. For instance:
Life’s too short to compromise on comfort that is why this trim option is loaded with standard equipment to make every minute behind the wheel feel comfortably more relaxed.
These include, for instance:
Upping levels of style and comfort to even greater heights, this premium trim offers head-turning enhancements and quality throughout the luxurious interior with the following over the SE Comfort trim.
Be unique and stand out from the crowd with the Škoda Fabia Colour Edition, with its contrasting roof and body colour, and the following features over the SE Comfort model.
The Škoda Fabia Monte Carlo then is instantly identifiable as the top-of-the-range Fabia you can buy, as this sporty lifestyle variant with its black exterior styling, sports bumpers, front sports seats and carbon effect décor is standard.
It really does continue the tradition of Monte Carlo models of the past.
Consequently, this trim comes with the following features over those found in the Colour Edition model.
The Skoda Fabia matches up well with other cars in its class, with it competing strongly against rivals such as the Volkswagen Polo, which shares many components due to both cars being part of the Volkswagen Group.
These cars, for instance, can include:
When it comes to reliability, the Fabia is classed as highly reliable on the whole; at the end of the day, you don't have a car line that has been in production since 1999 if it wasn't deemed as being so.
It has also won a huge number of awards over time, with reliability being a key component of the award process.
A sample of the awards it has won, for instance, include:
The Škoda Fabia also comes with a comprehensive warranty that provides you with peace of mind for up to three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
This warranty then covers repairs or replacements due to manufacturing defects, ensuring that your vehicle remains in top condition as a result.
When it comes to insurance groups, the Skoda Fabia is really cheap to insure, with the 1.0 MPI 80 PS 5G Manual coming in at only a 4E Insurance Group out of 50.
However, this can vary by the model and engine that you decide to buy, and this breaks out as follows:
When it comes to its key stats and dimensions, you have, for instance:
For its up-to-date price tag, please see our dedicated Skoda Fabia page.
If you would rather split the car price over more manageable monthly payments, then Skoda car finance options are right for you, as these can include PCP, PCH, Contract hire / car leasing and more to get you the car deals you want in a way that makes the most sense for your budget.
As you can see, the Skoda Fabia is a very practical and reliable small car that offers you great value for your money. Regardless of whether you are considering this as a family car, a company car, or just as your daily driver, you will find it to be of good value for the features you are getting.
As a result, it is ideal for buyers who want to prioritise fuel efficiency, safety, and ease of use all rolled into one package.
While it may not be the sportiest or most luxurious option, it excels in providing you with a very balanced, with load road tax, well-rounded driving experience.
If you’re looking for a car that handles everyday driving with low running costs, then the Skoda Fabia is definitely worth considering.
So, if you like what you have read, why not book in and take one of our test cars out for a drive to see how it feels for yourself?
If you like this New Skoda Fabia car review, then you may like some of our other guides and new car reviews, such as for instance:
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