Skoda Fabia Review 2025

It's all change for this fourth-generation Skoda Fabia, because the boxy, slightly awkward looks of its predecessors have been traded in for a far more attractive and desirable design. And this is a key selling point as Skoda aims to shake off the staid and sensible image of the Fabia that has put off some younger buyers who would rather go for a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa. Of course some things remain... it's still practical, refined and represents excellent value for money, too. Read on for our full review of the Skoda Fabia.

Skoda has a reputation for sensible and practical, and the Skoda Fabia has been the epitome of that in the small hatch market for several years. But style has taken a back seat in the past, but that changed with the fourth-generation Skoda Fabia, launched in 2021, which - shock horror - actually looks really sharp. Finally a Fabia that's sleek and attractive.

With styling influenced by the Skoda Kamiq, the fourth-generation Skoda Fabia is a far better proportioned car that certainly has what it takes to give the Volkswagen Polo a run for its money. But being a Skoda this remains a sensible, practical and affordable hatchback.

Its real forte is its ride quality. Few small cars (or even those from the Golf-sized class above) ride as well as the Skoda Fabia. It's great at ironing out rough roads and is just as capable on the motorway, where the Fabia is very content - and quiet - cruising at 70mph.

It feels safe and reassuring to drive, too. Yes the steering could do with more feel (a now common complaint on most small cars) and a Ford Fiesta is more enjoyable to drive, but it's very hard to find fault with the way the Skoda Fabia goes about its business. It's an incredibly easy car to live with.

It is also cheap to run, even though there are no hybrid or electric models. But with a range of frugal 1.0-litre engines, all of which can return at least 50mpg, this is a cheap car to run. There's also a 1.5 with more punch if you fancy.

There's also more space than before: the Fabia now measure more than 4 metres in length for the first time. This means better space for both those in the front and back (handy for kids in car seats), plus a huge 380-litre boot. In fact it's the biggest of any small hatchback we can think of, even the ever versatile Honda Jazz.

The Fabia is no longer the bargain it once was, but pricing is still a useful amount lower than that of most mainstream rivals. But it's also a far better and more generously equipped car than before, so it looks like great value.

If you're after a high quality and comfortable small hatchback that does everything incredibly well without costing a fortune, you can't beat the latest Skoda Fabia. It's one of our very favourite small cars. 

We lived with a Fabia for six months: find out how we got on with it in our Skoda Fabia long term test. 

The Skoda Fabia isn't the best-handling car in the small hatchback class - that honour goes to the fun-to-drive (and now-defunct) Ford Fiesta - but the Skoda is still a tremendous all-rounder.

Like the rest of the car, it does everything with competence and minimal fuss, making it an easy and relaxing car to drive. Its certainly quieter and more refined than the old Fabia, with less noise making its way into the cabin.

Around town, the light steering is ideal for effortlessly negotiating those tight parking spots on the high street (rear parking sensors are standard-fit on all but the old entry-level Fabia S model) and while the shortage of steering feel isn't so great out of town, the Fabia still has good grip and corners in a reassuringly safe and stable way.

The ride is superb and copes amazingly well with uneven roads and broken surfaces, while on the motorway, it covers miles in a smooth and relaxing manner. 

The Skoda Fabia engine range is very simple with all the models powered by petrol engines with varying power.

Initially, the entry-level option was non-turbo 1.0-litre MPI engine with 65PS (it was dropped from the range fairly quickly), while an 80PS version was also available, both of which had a five-speed manual gearbox. We never got to try the former, but we have had a go in the latter. It does a decent job around town, but if you spend any regular time on the motorway, it might be better to consider one of the TSI turbo petrol options.

If you want a bit more get up and go, the turbocharged 1.0 TSI will suit you down to the ground. The 95PS model has plenty of zip and the fact it's a three-cylinder engine means it has some character, too, with a nice thrum when you accelerate.

Then there's the 1.0 TSI 110PS (later upgraded to 116PS), which is has six-speed manual gearbox and is also available with a DSG automatic. Performance is a little punchier, although in everyday driving, you won't feel all that much difference over the already-punchy 95PS version.

Some versions are also available with Skoda's 1.5-litre TSI four-cylinder engine with 150PS and DSG auto as standard. Again, it ups the punch factor, but choosing this one seems frivolous when the 1.0-litre TSI units are so good. This is the most powerful version on offer, because with this generation of Fabia, there's no Skoda Fabia vRS model.

The 2021 Skoda Fabia scored a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. Standard driver aids include autonomous emergency braking and lane assist, and there's plenty of other safety kit, including both driver and front passenger airbags, curtain airbags and front side airbags. A knee airbag for the driver and side airbags for the rear can be added with the optional Safety Package for a few hundred quid extra. Adaptive Cruise Control is available as an option across the range, and will cost a similar amount.

You're unlikely to buy a Skoda Fabia if towing is your priority, but it has a maximum braked towing weight of 1200kg for the 1.5 TSI 150 engine. Most Fabias have a braked maximum of 1100kg, while the 1.0 MPi model is limited to 800kg.

As far as unbraked trailers go, the Fabia can haul between 560- and 610kg based on which model you opt for.

Skodas are renowned for their functionality, and while it may be small, the Fabia is still very practical. It's bigger than before and that's good news for passenger room and boot space. Indeed, the 380-litre boot of the Skoda Fabia is the biggest around - besting even the versatile Honda Jazz - and it even has more volume than many cars from the class above. It's pretty much identical to what you get in a Volkswagen Golf.

The wide tailgate opening and impressive load depth means you can get in a lot more than you'd expect, so those bags of compost from the local garden centre will easily fit, although there is a slightly high boot lip that you'll have to lug them over.

Like all Skoda cars, the Fabia features trademark 'simply clever' features. These are designed to make life easier and include things like an ice scraper concealed undernath the fuel filler flap. Simple but very handy: in fact, we're surprised more car makers haven't copied these ideas.

The Fabia features a removable cup holder between the front seats, a box that sits on the rear tunnel for storing small items (handy for the kids), plus a boot tidy that fits on the side wall and can be pulled out to keep items from sliding around.

If you're coming from the old Fabia, you'll notice there's considerably more room inside, which anyone who sits in the back will really appreciate. There's also more legroom for those in the front. Headroom is generous all round, so nobody struggles on that score.

The quality of the finish in the Skoda Fabia is excellent and it's well designed, too, with everything close at hand and clearly labelled. Skoda hasn't gone down the minimalist route here, refreshingly, and instead, it has clearly labelled and easy-to-find buttons and switches for all the main controls.

The quality is a big step up from the previous-generation Skoda Fabia, and while there are still some hard plastics in places such as the lower door sections, they feel more hardwearing than cheap. We'd go as far as to say this is one of the best quality small hatchbacks around.

As is the norm on even small cars, the latest Skoda Fabia comes with a colour touchscreen. All models got DAB and Bluetooth (for music streaming).

Early S and SE Comfort versions had a 6.5-inch central touchscreen, while the SE L got a much bigger 9.2-inch screen with native navigation.

Colour Edition versions got an 8.0-inch central display and 10.25-inch digital instrument panel - known as 'Virtual Cockpit' - in lieu of the analogue dials in the versions previously mentioned. The Monte Carlo version, which was introduced a bit later, got the same setup as the Colour Edition. It's worth noting, though, that on all these early versions, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (Skoda called this functionality 'Wireless Smartlink') was an optional extra. It was a very affordable one, so many original owners would have added it, but if shopping for a used Fabia of this vintage, make sure that the example you're considering has this important feature fitted before parting with your cash.

The range was upgraded in 2024, happily adding the missing smartphone integration across the range. S trim was dropped, and the SE Connect's central screen was upgraded to an 8.25-inch unit, while the analogue dials were replaced by an 8.0-inch digital display. 

The central screen in Colour Edition and Monte Carlo cars was upgraded to 8.25 inches, and while the SE L stuck with its 9.2-inch central screen, it gained the 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit display. Just a few months later, the central screen in the range-topping Monte Carlo was upgraded to the same 9.2-inch unit found in the SE L.

In truth, whichever size of screen you end up with, you'll find it bright and clear, and easy to use. The Fabia uses a different infotainment system than that found in the Octavia and we think that's a big plus. It's easier to use and more intuitive while things like the air conditioning are controlled through dedicated buttons, which we think is less distracting than having to go through menus on the touchscreen.

Value-for-money is a massive part of Skoda’s whole schtick, and it's certainly present and correct in the Fabia line-up. These days, new-car prices for the Fabia start at a little over £21,000, and rise to a little over £26,000 at the very top of the range.  Throughout the range, the pricing represents a useful four-figure saving compared with most mainstream competitors, version for version.

Used-car prices look like even better value. New car prices were initially much lower (due to nothing more than inflation), and the car has been around long enough that pre-owned prices have had plenty of time to fall. An early SE Comfort with either the 80PS MPI engine or the lower-powered TSI engine with around 40,000 miles on the clock can be yours for around £11,000.

The Fabia is designed to be affordable to run so all the engines return economy at the 50mpg mark according to the official WLTP fuel economy figures. All the manual gearbox versions of the Skoda Fabia, whether MPI or TSI, will return at least 55mpg regardless of power. Go for the DSG auto, and this drops, but it's still easy on the wallet.

Servicing costs are very reasonable at Skoda dealers who also perform well for customer satisfaction in our annual Satisfaction Index. Unlike Kia and Hyundai, there's only a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty from new, but the Fabia is at least cheap to insure, with insurance rankings between Groups 2 and 20.

The trim levels available with the Fabia range have changed around quite a bit during the car's several years on sale. To begin with, those offered were S, SE Comfort, SE L and Colour Edition, while a Monte Carlo version was added soon after launch.

The Skoda Fabia S came with:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• LED headlights
• Front Assist with Pedestrian Protection
• Lane Assist including road edge detection,
• DAB
• 6.5-inch colour screen infotainment system
• manual air conditioning
• height-adjustable driver's seat,
• e-Call+

The Skoda Fabia SE Comfort added:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• front fog lights
• two-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel
• leather-wrapped handbrake lever and gearshift knob
• rear parking sensors
• height-adjustable front passenger seat

The Skoda Fabia SE L added:

• 16-inch silver alloy wheels
• chrome window surrounds,
• electric windows front and rear
• comfort seats
• ambient lighting package
• microsuede grey lower decorative trim
• cruise control
• umbrella inside the driver's door.
• Amundsen navigation system with 9.2-inch colour display
• web radio and six speakers
• dual-zone air-conditioning
• two LED reading lights
• removable cup-holder
• front centre armrest

Skoda Fabia Colour Edition models gain:

• 16-inch black alloy wheels
• privacy glass
• door mirrors painted in roof colour
• Virtual Cockpit with 10.25-inch colour display
• KESSY keyless engine start/stop

The Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo takes a sportier approach, with:

• 17-inch Procyon alloy wheels
• sports bumpers
• black trim detailing
• front sports seats
• carbon fibre-style interior trim
• aluminium pedals

A facelift in April 2024 saw the entry-level S trim level dropped, ad some minor revisions made to the other trim levels. These were mainly concerned with infotainment, and as such, we've documented these in the Infotainment section of this review.

Not long after in September 2024, the range was overhauled again, with trim levels now including SE Edition, Design Edition, SE L Edition and Monte Carlo Edition. These were loosely based on the trims that preceded them - with Design Edition replacing the Colour Edition - with a few extra enhancements.

On top of SE Comfort trim, Skoda Fabia SE Edition cars get:

• keyless start/stop
• cruise control
• climate control
• electric rear windows

In addition to Colour Edition cars, Skoda Fabia Design Edition cars get:

• metalic paint
• front fog lights
• power folding door mirrors
• climate control
• rain-sensing wipers

Post-facelift Skoda Fabia SE L Edition cars have upgrades including: 

• rear-view camera
• cornering fog lights
• power folding door mirrors
• rain-sensing wipers

Post-facelift Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo Edition cars have upgrades including: 

• 9.2-inch navigation display
• voice control
• front parking sensors
• rear-view camera