Celebrating the Skoda Fabia

Driver Guides 

Reaching a silver anniversary is a big deal: 25 years is a long time, and when it comes to cars and their relatively short life-cycles, a quarter of a century in production is worth taking a moment to appreciate.

We, in the UK, have also played a big part in this particular success story as this country represents one of the brand’s biggest markets in Europe. The car in question is the hugely successful Skoda Fabia.

Through four generations across 25 years, the Skoda Fabia has been a cornerstone of the brand’s product range. Along with the Octavia, it has enjoyed a continuous production run and become the brand’s second biggest selling car of all time.

The appeal of the Fabia has always been remarkably broad, introducing a huge number of drivers to the Skoda brand. Affordable entry level models have enabled many buyers to choose a new car for the first time, while at the other end of the range, vRS models have given the Fabia range a more focused, sporting edge. The Fabia has also been Skoda’s model of choice for its highly successful motorsport programmes. From the fire-breathing 2003 Fabia WRC to the current Fabia RS Rally2, the Fabia has become the benchmark car in world rallying.

Almost 1.8 million examples of the first-generation Skoda Fabia were built, with the second-generation car adding a further 1.7 million to the total. To date, Skoda has built more than 4.9 million of them since production started in 1999.

Fabia Mk1 1999-2007 – 1.78 million models sold worldwide

Skoda revealed the final design of the Fabia at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Fabia proved to be an instant hit with both buyers and critics, who praised the model for its style, practicality, and value for money. It was named overall Car of the Year 2000 by What Car?.

The 1.0 and 1.4 8v engines offered at launch were reworked versions of the 1.3-litre units developed for the Felicia and Favorit, and both engines remained part of the range until 2004.

Skoda’s engineering reputation was also enhanced in 2003 with the introduction of the Fabia vRS. Powered by a 1.9-litre 130PS turbodiesel engine, the Fabia vRS proved that flexibility and a colossal torque output (310Nm) was more than a match for a high-revving petrol engine, and the fact that it returned up to 53.3mpg and came loaded with standard equipment made it one of the most competitive cars in the sector.

Fabia Mk2 2007-2014 – 1.7 million models sold worldwide

The second-generation Fabia was previewed at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show before it entered series production a month later. The Mk2 Fabia featured a larger body and a host of design and engineering improvements over its predecessor.

The new generation of Fabia introduced a softer look with more rounded lines, swept-back headlights and a distinctive ‘floating roof’ and blacked-out A-pillar. Inside, the Fabia introduced a sleeker, more sophisticated look, alongside better materials, and more equipment.

Skoda followed up the success of the first-generation vRS model with a new version that marked another first in the sector. Offered in hatch and estate form for the first time, the second-generation Fabia vRS came with a unique 1.4 TSI 180PS ‘twincharged’ engine that featured a turbocharger and a supercharger. At the other end of the scale, Skoda also introduced a new version of its GreenLine II model equipped with a new 1.2 TDI CR DPF engine and host of other fuel-saving technologies, making it one of the cleanest and most efficient car of its time, with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.

Fabia Mk3 2014-2021 – 1.2 million models sold worldwide

The third model to wear the Fabia badge ushered in a raft of new technology, safety features and driver aids. Unlike the first two evolutions of the Fabia, which used the Volkswagen Group’s PQ24 platform, the third-generation was built on a new hybrid platform that brought with it a longer wheelbase and a wider track that allowed for more interior space.

From launch, customers could choose from a total of four petrol and two diesel engines, all of which came with Start-Stop and brake energy recovery as standard for the first time. Petrol options were two three-cylinder 1.0-litre MPI units and two 1.2-litre four-cylinder TSI engines. Diesel drivers could choose from two new three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI engines.

Inside, Skoda improved the quality and upped specifications across the range with the introduction of the Volkswagen Group’s latest MIB infotainment systems delivering new levels of connectivity to drivers.

The third-generation Fabia was facelifted in 2019 with revisions to the headlights and bumpers. At the same time, the Fabia became a petrol-only model with both diesel options disappearing from the line-up.

Fabia Mk4 2021-present – 250,000 models sold worldwide

Launched 21 years after the first-generation model, the fourth Skoda model to wear the Fabia badge went on sale in the UK at the end of 2021. This is the model you’ll be leasing today if you decide to opt for a Skoda Fabia, and like its predecessors, it continues to set the standards for space, value, and quality in the supermini sector.

The first Fabia to be built on the Volkswagen Group’s advanced MQB-A0 platform, the current model is the most spacious car within its segment. Longer and wider than the third-generation model, the greater exterior dimensions result in even more passenger comfort and a boot space than many cars in the class struggle to match.

The fourth-generation Fabia model is defined by dynamic lines and perfectly balanced proportions. A striking front end incorporates a revised grille, headlights, and bumper, while at the back the Fabia features bold light clusters and a sleek rear bumper. It is also offered with a range of alloy wheels, including an 18-inch option.

The latest Fabia range is also packed with intricate and clever details, from body lines on the front doors that replicate the design of the Czech flag, to the increased specification and new Simply Clever features that confirm the Fabia as the perfect entry-level model.

The Skoda Fabia currently comes with four efficient petrol engine options with outputs starting from the entry-level 1.0-litre 80bhp MPI unit. Above that, three TSI engine options featuring turbocharging and direct petrol injection complete the range. You can choose from two 1.0-litre TSI versions producing around 95bhp and 115bhp, and the range-topping 150bhp 1.5-litre TSI.

The current range features four familiar trim levels; SE Comfort, SE L, Colour Edition, and a sporty Monte Carlo edition.

So happy 25th anniversary Skoda Fabia!

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