Review: Skoda Fabia 130

I’ve long been a fan of the Skoda Fabia in all its forms, but my all-time favourite has to be the vRS. I first experienced it at the launch of the original model in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2003, and I couldn’t believe that the supercharged car I was driving was actually running on diesel. Powered by a 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine, it was a game-changer for the hot hatch segment and remained one of my favourites until production ceased in 2007.

Three years later, the vRS made a comeback, but the turbocharged diesel I loved was replaced by a supercharged and turbocharged 180bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, capable of 0–62 mph in 7.3 seconds. Sadly, four years later, it was discontinued again, Skoda citing poor sales.

Now, we have the Fabia 130—the fastest production Fabia to date—launched last October. Building on the specification of the current Monte Carlo model, it features a reworked 1.5 TSI EVO2 engine producing 174bhp and achieving 0–62 mph in 7.4 seconds. The seven-speed DSG transmission has been reprogrammed with higher shift points for quicker acceleration.

We’re now into the fourth generation of the Fabia, introduced at the end of 2021. It’s a significant departure from its predecessor—longer, wider, and lower—more closely aligning with other Skoda models. Many of its underpinnings are shared with esteemed Volkswagen Group siblings like the Polo and Seat Ibiza.

For me, comfort and practicality always come first, and the Fabia delivers in spades. A 10-inch virtual cockpit is standard, alongside a 9.2-inch infotainment display. Skoda has sensibly resisted the urge to make everything digital, keeping essential controls like climate settings as physical buttons. The driver’s seat adjusts for height, the steering wheel for height and reach, and the Fabia 130’s sports seats with side bolsters are impressively comfortable.

Our test car came with the £560 Winter Package, which adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a heated windscreen—worth every penny in colder months. Skoda has always excelled in the “little touches” that make ownership enjoyable, from an umbrella compartment that drains water to a clever ice scraper integrated into the fuel filler cap.

Rear passenger space is excellent, with generous head- and legroom, and the boot offers 380 litres—well above many rivals. Folding the seats increases this to 1,190 litres, though the floor isn’t completely flat unless you opt for the variable boot floor or the £300 Simply Clever package, which adds even more practical storage solutions.

Thanks to its tight turning circle, the Fabia excels in urban environments but also performs confidently on longer journeys. The Fabia 130 distinguishes itself from the standard model with a few key touches: 130 badging, a lower suspension, 18in wheels, a deeper front bumper, and a larger rear spoiler.

The Fabia remains a compelling blend of speed, practicality, and thoughtful design—a car that’s as clever as it is fun to drive.

Earlier this month Skoda announced it was launching a limited-run Fabia Motorsport Edition to mark 125 years of its motorsport tradition.

There will be only 125 cars produced and there will be a plaque on the dashboard showing the car’s individual number

It is based on the Fabia 130 will be available exclusively in Moon White metallic paint with a black sports interior.

Skoda Fabia 130

Price: £29,995 (£31,750 as tested)

Engine: 1.5 TSI

Power: 174bhp

Torque: 184lb/ft

Transmission: Seven-speed DSG automatic

Top speed: 141mph

0-62mph: 7.4 seconds

Economy: 50.3-50.7mpg

CO 2 emissions:126g/km