Skoda Fabia review
The Skoda Fabia is a super-practical, comfortable, and great-value supermini that proves you don’t need a big car to get a huge amount of space and common sense.
Author: Charlie Harvey
31st Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
The Skoda Fabia has been a cornerstone of the supermini class since it first appeared in 1999. It helped to transform Skoda’s image, proving that the brand could build high-quality, reliable, and desirable cars by using parts from its parent company, Volkswagen. Over three generations, the Fabia has built a reputation for being one of the most practical and sensible small cars you can buy. The latest version, launched in 2015 and updated in 2018, continues this theme. It’s a car that majors on comfort, ease of use, and incredible practicality for its size. It might not be the most exciting car to look at or drive, but it’s exceptionally good at the things that really matter in a small car. With a surprisingly roomy interior, a huge boot, and low running costs, the Fabia is an honest, no-frills supermini that’s very hard to fault.
Pros
- A surprisingly practical and spacious cabin for a small car
- Very comfortable and easy to drive
- A simple, user-friendly, and ergonomic interior
Cons
- The engine choice is quite limited on newer models
- Top-specification models can get a bit expensive
- The interior features some cheap-feeling plastics
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the Skoda Fabia is a lesson in simple, effective design. It’s not flashy or futuristic, but it is incredibly user-friendly and everything is exactly where you’d expect it to be. The dashboard is cleanly laid out, and even the standard 6.5-inch touchscreen is easy to operate.
It's a cabin that’s built to last. While the quality of the plastics isn't quite up to the standard of a Volkswagen Polo, with some harder materials used to keep the cost down, everything feels solid and durable. For a car that's all about functionality and value, it’s a perfectly pleasant place to be.
Comfort
If you’re looking for a comfortable supermini, the Fabia is one of the best choices out there. It has a smooth ride that does a great job of soaking up bumps, making it a very relaxing car to drive, whether you’re in town or on the motorway.
The seats are supportive, and the driving position is good, with plenty of adjustment to help you get comfortable. Even the smallest engines are surprisingly refined and quiet once you're up to speed. It’s a car that prioritises comfort over sporty handling, and it’s all the better for it.
Quality
The Fabia shares many of its parts with other cars from the Volkswagen Group, which is good news for reliability. It feels like a solid and dependable car that’s built to withstand the rigours of daily life. While some of the interior plastics feel a bit cheap, the overall build quality is good.
That said, the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox has been known to be troublesome, so it’s worth checking this carefully on any used model. Overall, though, the Fabia has a strong reputation for being a reliable and fuss-free small car.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is where the Fabia really shines and stands head and shoulders above most of its rivals. For a small car, it's incredibly spacious inside. Thanks to clever packaging, there’s a surprising amount of room in the back, with enough head and legroom for two adults to sit comfortably, even behind a tall driver. It always comes as a five-door, so access to the rear seats is always easy.
Boot space
The Fabia has one of the biggest boots in the supermini class. The hatchback offers 330 litres of space, which is more than enough for the weekly shop or a couple of suitcases. It's a very practical and usable space.
If you need even more room, the Fabia is one of the very few superminis available as an estate model. The Fabia Estate has a huge boot, offering an extra 200 litres of space. It’s an incredibly practical and affordable option for a small family that needs a bit more carrying capacity.
Driving
Driving experience
The Skoda Fabia is a car that’s designed to be comfortable, safe, and easy to drive. It’s not as fun or engaging as a Ford Fiesta, but it is very refined and relaxing. The steering is light, which makes it great for nipping around town and easy to park, and it feels stable and secure on the motorway.
The comfortable ride and quiet cabin make it a very pleasant car for everyday journeys. It’s a car that does everything you ask of it with a minimum of fuss. While it's a shame Skoda doesn’t make a sporty vRS version anymore, the standard Fabia is a brilliant and capable all-rounder.
Performance
The engine lineup for post-2018 facelift models is made up entirely of small, 1.0-litre petrol engines. The entry-level, non-turbocharged versions come with 59bhp or 74bhp. These are fine for driving around town but can feel quite sluggish out on the open road.
The turbocharged TSI versions are much better all-rounders. They are available with either 94bhp or 108bhp and offer a much more relaxed and capable performance. The 108bhp engine is the quickest, getting the Fabia from 0-60mph in a respectable 9.4 seconds. Pre-facelift models were also available with a very economical 1.4-litre diesel engine.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Thanks to its range of small and efficient petrol engines, the Skoda Fabia is a very cheap car to run. Even the most powerful versions can achieve over 50mpg in official tests, which is fantastic news for your wallet. The low CO2 emissions also mean that road tax is very affordable.
Value for money
The Fabia has always represented fantastic value for money. It has an affordable purchase price, undercutting many of its key rivals, but still comes with a decent amount of standard equipment. It doesn't hold its value as well as a Volkswagen Polo, which is great news for used car buyers as it means there are some real bargains to be had. You can often find significant savings on nearly-new models with very few miles on the clock.
Reliability & Warranty
Skoda has a great reputation for building reliable cars, and the Fabia is no exception. It has consistently performed well in owner satisfaction surveys. From new, all Skodas come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. The Fabia's low insurance groups also make it an ideal and affordable choice for new drivers.
Safety
Safety features
The Skoda Fabia is a very safe small car. It was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP.
The 2018 facelift made it even safer, with autonomous emergency braking fitted as standard across the entire range. This is a brilliant feature that can help to prevent low-speed collisions. You can also add more advanced safety aids from the options list, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Fabia is available in a simple range of trim levels, all of which offer great value.
S: The entry-level model is a bit basic but comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and electric front windows.
SE: This is our pick of the range. It adds essential features like 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, rear parking sensors, and smartphone connectivity.
Colour Edition: This adds a bit of style with a contrasting roof and larger 16-inch alloy wheels.
SE L: A more comfort-focused trim, adding features like satellite navigation, climate control, and keyless start.
Monte Carlo: The top-of-the-range model gets a sporty look, with a black styling pack, a small spoiler, LED rear lights, and a sports steering wheel.
Engines
The post-2018 Fabia has a simple, all-petrol engine lineup.
1.0 MPI: This non-turbocharged engine is available with either 59bhp or 74bhp. It’s best suited for city driving.1.0 TSI: The turbocharged versions are much better all-rounders. They are available with 94bhp or 108bhp and offer a great blend of performance and fuel economy. The 108bhp version is available with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
Browse used Skoda Fabia cars for sale