Skoda Fabia review

The Skoda Fabia is a small hatchback that shares its mechanical bits with the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza, but it has always been the most sensible option of the trio. It’s the most practical and usually the cheapest, but has never been the most exciting or upmarket version.

That direction has been continued here on the design front, with the new Fabia featuring Skoda’s recognisable Ned Flanders moustache-like grille, simple but effective creases and smart alloy wheels – nothing to set the heart ablaze, but completely inoffensive.

Inside it’s a similar story. It’s been smartened up compared to its predecessor, but it’s relatively simple. Dashes of colour, a large enough infotainment screen and enough space help this cabin do the job, but you’ll find a fair amount of scratchy plastics.

You’ll be able to get comfortable very quickly though, as the Fabia has plenty of adjustment so you can find the right position. Add to that the comfort seats, which are excellent on longer journeys, and you’ve got an interior that definitely ranks function over form.

Passengers will also be pretty happy as rear space is good. There’s plenty of head and legroom, while there’s easy access to Isofix points for child seats.

The Fabia’s boot is also very practical. This class-leading one has 380 litres on hand, which is very impressive for a car of this size. It beats the Volkswagen Polo by around 30 litres, but it smashes the Ford Fiesta by almost 90 litres. That’s extended to 1,190 litres when folding the rear seats down – but you’ll need to buy the optional variable boot floor for a flat space.

It’s a shame there’s no electric version, but the Fabia is a small hatchback worthy of your consideration.

Under the bonnet, you get the choice of three petrol power options. The entry, 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol develops 80hp, while the 95hp and 110hp versions are offered from a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. The two least powerful engines get a five-speed manual, while the 110hp can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission.

One thing that’s certainly missed is an electric or hybrid option. In this day and age, small hatchbacks are the perfect type of car for zero-emission power as they’re in and around towns the most, so it’s a shame Skoda has suffered from a bit of oversight here.

Although performance isn’t too important with the Fabia, the 110hp option is the only one to go sub-10 seconds for its 0-60mph time – while it can reach a top speed of 125mph.

Where it performs well is in town, as the short wheelbase helps make manoeuvring easy. Its turning circle is under 11 metres, making turning in and out of junctions and tight spaces simple. Although the engines aren’t the most powerful, the turbo options are pretty peppy – making getting in and out traffic a breeze.

On the motorway, you won’t be complaining too much either. It feels stable and refined, with limited wind and tyre noise getting into the cabin. The suspension also soaks up almost any bumps you come into contact with – making this a great small car to take you long distances. Just don’t expect lots of fun when you reach a twisty back road.

The Skoda Fabia is definitely worth having in your small hatchback considerations and should be in your final selections. It may fall down on some plush materials and excitement, but it won’t disappoint for practicality.

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