The Skoda Fabia is a staple of the Skoda range, and of the supermini class. It may not have sold in the same numbers as the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa, but it more than holds its own with the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, with which it shares so much of its engineering.
Launched in 2000, the Skoda Fabia hatchback arrived first, followed a year later by the estate and saloon models. By then, Skoda had established itself as a serious division of the VW Group empire and was even given first dibs on the then-new Polo platform. This ploy worked a treat; the Fabia range was roundly praised by reviewers and loved by drivers who wanted a high-quality small car that was well equipped and offered good fuel economy.
From the start, Skoda provided a choice of petrol and diesel engines, as well as breaking the rule book in the first-generation car with a diesel-powered vRS hot hatch model. Successive generations of Fabia have stuck to the same formula of no-nonsense small hatches and estates that regularly feature on lists of the most reliable cars you can own.
Generations: 4
- Skoda Fabia mk4 (2022-present)
- Skoda Fabia mk3 (2015-2021)
- Skoda Fabia mk2 (2007-2015)
- Skoda Fabia mk1 (2002-2007)
Skoda Fabia mk4 (2022-present)
Bodystyles:
Five-door hatchback
Notable features:
- Built on new platform shared with larger Skoda Scala, among others
- Biggest, roomiest Fabia yet with extra 9cm in wheelbase compared with previous car
- Large strides in infotainment and safety technology
For its fourth incarnation, the Fabia was moved onto the MQB-A0 platform, shared by countless other small VW Group models including the Polo and T-Cross, Seat Ibiza and Arona, the Audi A1 and Skoda's own Kamiq and Scala. Although the Fabia already sat at the larger end of the supermini scale, the fourth-generation car was the biggest yet, giving it a level of practicality that put many cars in the class above to shame. The cabin impressed for quality, too, feeling as posh as any rival offered by Audi or VW, but feeling as solid and as dependable as anything from Kia and Hyundai. The cabin also offered Skoda’s now-trademark ‘Simply Clever’ touches, designed to make everyday life that little bit easier. These included an umbrella concealed in the driver’s door, a USB in the roof lining to power windscreen-mounted devices such as dashcams, and a large centre partition between the driver and passenger that featured loads of storage, a couple of cupholders and an armrest.
Power was provided by a quartet of 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines with either 64-,79-, 94- or 108bhp, none of which were particularly impressive for acceleration or top speed figures, but most of which would be sufficiently punchy for most drivers. Only the range-topper could be specified with an automatic gearbox. The 148bhp 1.5 TSI petrol automatic was added to the range later. The Fabia's on-road character remained similar to before, with the focus on comfort and ease, but the new mechanicals meant an appreciably more polished driving experience all round.
Four trims were available at launch, named S, SE Comfort, SE L and Colour Edition. The S is rather basic with steel wheels and manual rear windows, but powered front windows, LED headlights and manual air-conditioning are provided. SE Comfort gives you alloy wheels, a leather-bound steering wheel, rear parking sensors and front fog lights. SE L adds styling upgrades, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, powered rear windows, keyless start and an upgraded infotainment system. The Colour Edition's upgrades are mainly aesthetic, but you do get a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel instead of traditional dials. A sporty Monte Carlo trim was added later, which had racier looks, but wasn’t any faster than the other versions.
Skoda Fabia mk4 Review
Search for a used Skoda Fabia Mk4
Skoda Fabia mk3 (2015-2021)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door hatchback
- Five-door estate
Notable features:
- All models have DAB digital radio and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
- Diesel engines discontinued in 2018.
- Up to 65kg lighter than the previous generation Fabia.
The third-generation Fabia saw Skoda provide much more equipment and the latest infotainment technology. Even the entry-point S had six airbags, engine stop-start, Bluetooth connectivity and DAB digital radio. Move to the SE and you got air conditioning, alloy wheels and MirrorLink to connect your smartphone to the car's infotainment system, as well as Front Assist to apply the brakes if the driver fails to spot a hazard ahead. The Elegance model came with larger alloys, climate and cruise controls, as well as daytime running lights and keyless entry.
From launch, the Colour Concept system let owners mix and match different colours for the body, wheels, door mirrors and roof, plus three interior trim styles. Skoda soon added the SE L trim, along with the sporty Monte Carlo and Colour Edition models, and the SE Drive model arrived in 2020.
To begin with, Fabia buyers could choose 59bhp and 74bhp 1.0 MPI petrol engines, as well as the turbocharged 1.2 TSI in 89bhp and 109bhp forms with manual or DSG automatic gearboxes. Diesel buyers were taken care of with 89bhp and 104bhp versions of the 1.4-litre TDI motor. However, the diesels were removed from the line-up in 2018, when the Fabia was facelifted with LED lights and a 6.5-inch ‘Swing’ infotainment screen.
Another update arrived in early 2021 with a new steering wheel design and a shift to just the 94bhp 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI petrol with a choice of manual or DSG transmissions.
Regardless of all of these changes, the Skoda Fabia Estate and hatch continue to offer above-class-average levels of space, comfort and quality – all while being more affordable than their key rivals.
Skoda Fabia mk3 Review
Search for a used Skoda Fabia mk3
Skoda Fabia mk2 (2007-2015)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door hatchback
- Five-door estate
Notable features:
- Longer, taller second-generation Fabia offers excellent passenger and luggage space.
- vRS model has petrol power and DSG automatic gearbox.
- Greenline II offers up to 83.1mpg economy and low running costs.
Skoda wanted to pitch the second-generation Fabia models as simple and unfussy, playing on its hard-earned reputation for quality while rivals like the Peugeot 207 and Renault Clio concentrated more on style. As a result, it arrived in 2007 with trims plainly termed 1, 2 and 3, plus Greenline and Sport for some variety.
There was no saloon anymore, just a hatchback and estate, though the latter could also be ordered in rugged-looking Scout trim. No four-wheel drive, though. Inside, the Fabia offered more space for passengers and luggage than its predecessor, and was one of the roomiest in its class, making it a very practical family car.
The engine line-up was straightforward, too, with a three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol as the starting point and an 85bhp 1.4-litre as well. Two turbocharged 1.4 TSI units offered 84bhp or 103bhp, while the sporty vRS had a 178bhp, 1.4-litre turbo petrol and DSG automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. Diesel was taken care of by a 74bhp 1.2, or 1.6 TDI motors with 74bhp, 89bhp or 104bhp. In the Greenline, the 1.2 diesel could offer an MPG of up to 83.1 and 88g/km of CO2 emissions, according to official stats.
Revisions in 2010 saw the trims change to S, SE and Elegance, while the Fabia Monte Carlo joined the range in early 2011. With its piano black trim and choice of black or red and black upholstery, the Monte Carlo had more buyer appeal.
The basic S model came without air-conditioning or alloy wheels, so most buyers chose the SE, which featured these luxuries as well as remote central locking. The Elegance came with climate control.
Skoda placed comfort above outright handling for all but the vRS hot hatch, which suits the car’s easy-going nature. The vRS didn’t feel that quick against more able competitors.
Skoda Fabia mk2 Review
Search for a used Skoda Fabia mk2
Skoda Fabia mk1 (2002-2007)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door hatchback
- Five-door estate
- Four-door saloon
Notable features:
- Hot hatch vRS model is unusual in having a turbodiesel engine.
- Facelift in 2004 replaced Comfort trim level with new Ambiente model.
- Fabia scored four-star Euro NCAP rating with twin front airbags and twin rear Isofix mounts.
Skoda followed up the success of the Octavia with another new car, the brilliant first-generation Fabia, in early 2000. At its launch there was just the five-door hatchback, but this was joined 12 months later by estate and saloon models. Simple styling from the Czech arm of the Volkswagen empire appealed to those who wanted a no-fuss alternative to the likes of the Seat Ibiza or Toyota Yaris, and sales of the new Skoda Fabia were very healthy.
The entry-level 1.0-litre MPI engine was slow and most buyers opted instead for the 1.4-litre petrol motor, available in 68bhp, 75bhp and 16-valve 100bhp forms. A 2.0-litre petrol came with 155bhp and strong performance but was a rare sight, while the non-turbo 1.9 SDi diesel was sluggish. Much better was the 100bhp 1.9 TDi turbodiesel that could offer up to 56.5mpg, and this engine also spawned the 130bhp vRS hot hatch. A 1.4-litre TDI diesel turbo motor arrived in 2003 with 75bhp and is the one to aim for, thanks to 61.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 124g/km.
Trim levels were, in ascending order, Classic, Comfort and Elegance, with the sporty vRS as a separate model. Cabin quality, space and comfort were much better than most rivals and even the Classic came with air-conditioning. Comfort models gained electric front windows, heated door mirrors and front foglights, as well as traction control. The Elegance upped the ante with alloy wheels, cruise control, heated front seats and rear parking sensors.
A 2004 facelift brought new front grille, spoiler and fog lamps, plus revised rear light clusters. Interior changes were minimal, while the Comfort trim was replaced by Ambiente and a new Sport model was added to sit below the vRS. Towards the end of its lifespan, the first-gen Fabia gained a 64bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine in the Sport.