Skoda Fabia 130 (2026) Review

Introduction

In all honesty, the Skoda Fabia has always been a great compact car that covered all the bases well without the need for over-the-top gimmicks and unnecessary fuss.

The first generation car was launched back in 1999 and was sold in various body styles. It received a number of facelifts until the second generation Fabia was launched in 2007. It was another seven-year wait before the gen-three model arrived in 2014 and rather predictably, seven years on from that in 2021, the MK4 Fabia arrived.

Global sales are close to the five million mark and as the Czech company enters its 130th year in business, the Fabia is offered in trims called SE Edition, Design Edition, SE L Edition, Monte Carlo Edition and the special anniversary model called the Fabia 130.

Developed by the company’s Technical Development Team and inspired by Skoda’s rallying success, the Fabia 130 builds on the specification of the sporty Monte Carlo Edition trim, but this model features an updated powertrain, bespoke chassis dynamics and a revised DSG automatic gearbox all designed to deliver the most engaging Fabia driving experience yet.

All Fabia models these days are five-door hatchbacks, but buyers can select from 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre engines delivering between 80PS and 177PS. There are five or six-speed manual gearboxes, along with automatic transmissions, and the line-up starts from £21,055 and rises to £29,995 for the high-end Fabia 130, as tested.

Pros of the Skoda Fabia 130

• 130 edition is fastest Skoda Fabia ever
• Motorsport-inspired exterior design
• Steering wheel paddles for increased driver engagement

Cons of the Skoda Fabia 130

• More ‘mild’ hatch than hot hatch
• More expensive than your average Fabia, starting at £29,500
• Cheaper Monte Carlo trim with 150 PS worth exploring

What are the first impressions of the Skoda Fabia 130?

The Skoda Fabia 130 has a number of distinctive design cues that set it apart from the rest of the line-up. After all, it’s the fastest Fabia production car to date, so has to look the part. And it does just that with motorsport-inspired 130 badging, LED headlights with darkened glass, black twin tailpipes, red brake calipers, a black grille, 18-inch Libra black alloy wheels with a smoke-effect top coat, a black contrast roof and mirror caps, gloss black detailing, along with a choice of colours called Moon White, Velvet Red, Race Blue and Black Magic. We opted for the Race Blue shade.

What are the key features of the Skoda Fabia 130?

There is a Skoda Fabia to suit all needs and budgets with even the entry-level cars coming generously-equipped. For example, the starting point in the line-up is the Fabia SE Edition and this features an 8.25-inch infotainment touchscreen system, Bluetooth, wireless SmartLink for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio and eight-inch driver display screen. It has cruise control with a speed limiter, front assist with pedestrian protection and lane assist, plus plenty more besides. For a basic model it really is anything but basic.

Step up to Design Edition and you will gain larger 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, metallic paint, and an upgraded 10.25-inch virtual cockpit display screen.

The Fabia SE L Edition introduces a 9.2-inch navigation display, voice control, ambient lighting, a rear view camera, hill hold, lots of additional chrome trimmings, textile microsuede upholstery with contrast stitching and model-specific 16-inch alloy wheels.

Sporty Monte Carlo Edition really raises the bar with 17-inch black alloys, an Amundsen navigation system with 9.2-inch colour display, automatic high beam control, black door mirrors, full LED headlights, Monte Carlo badging, black Skoda lettering on the tailgate, sports bumpers, aluminium pedals, front sports seats, black headlining, a three-spoke sports leather steering wheel and Monte Carlo upholstery crafted from black fabric and artificial leather.

Finally, our test model, the Fabia 130 which gains all the sporty characteristics of the Monte Carlo Edition and adds 18-inch Libra Black alloys with smoke top coat, Fabia 130 badging, a black roof, black decal on the tailgate, black twin tailpipes, red brake calipers, dark chrome Skoda badging, distinctive headlights with smoked effect, a black front splitter and extended rear spoiler, door sills with 130 badging. Moving inside, there are chrome edged air vents, along with a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with DSG paddles.

Performance: How does the Skoda Fabia 130 drive?

Powering the Skoda Fabia 130 is a 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s been re-tuned to deliver the full beans on this hot hatch. With 177PS and 250Nm of torque, it can complete the 0-62mph sprint in just 7.4 seconds and maxes out at 141mph.

There is a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission that’s smooth and responsive and the Fabia 130 can cruise alongside the big boys on motorway runs, sitting effortlessly at 70mph.

But it really comes alive when faced with more testing country lanes with lots of twists and turns. The gearstick can be pulled back to an S for Sport setting and the reactions and handling all liven up. Alternatively, the steering wheel paddles can be used to switch through the gears manually. While they are no replacement for the good old manual gearbox, they do increase the driver engagement.

Drive modes called Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual alter the ride and handling - there are no prizes for guessing which brings the most enjoyment. The steering is well weighted with ample driver feedback and the car feels completely grounded and confident through tighter bends.

To match the additional power the Fabia 130 gains over its siblings, it is equipped with a sports chassis which sees the suspension lowered by 15mm. This, along with larger wheels, means you will feel the full force of any unexpected potholes along the way. But that’s a small price to pay for the improvement in dynamic handling when fizzing along B roads. My only complaint was the occasional drag in the automatic gear changes which, at times, made it feel a little sluggish.

In busier town centres, the Fabia 130 is easy to manoeuvre through the traffic with an impressive 9.9-metre turning lock. And its compact proportions, measuring just over four metres in length, make squeezing into tight parking spaces a simple process too.

Admittedly, the Fabia 130 is not in vRS territory and the ‘hot hatch’ label we’ve thrown in its direction is a tad generous at times - more like tepid to be truthful, but it certainly puts the wow and fun factors back into the Fabia.

What are the running costs and emissions of the Skoda Fabia 130?

The Skoda Fabia line-up begins with the entry-level SE Edition, costing £21,055. Moving up through the trims you get the Design Edition at £21,880, the SE L Edition from £23,830, the Monte Carlo Edition costing £24,290 and the all-new Fabia 130, as tested, which is priced at £29,995.

Our test car also featured a number of optional extras, including a spare wheel, Simply Clever Plus Package, a Winter Premium pack, Variable boot and Assisted Drive pack which saw the final cost increase to £31,750.

The official WLTP-tested fuel efficiency figure is a combined 50.4mpg and we were seeing 46mpg after our week-long loan, which is pretty close to the mark.

The carbon emissions figure of 126-127g/km results in a first-year road tax bill of £440 dropping to the standard annual fee of £195 after 12 months. For any business drivers considering the Fabia 130 as a company car, it comes with a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 31 per cent.

As the Fabia 130 falls well below the government’s £40k Expensive Car Supplement threshold, there are no extra charges to worry about there.

Skoda enjoys an excellent reputation for reliability and, for added peace of mind, the Fabia line-up comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty package.

What are the interior and tech highlights of the Skoda Fabia 130?

For anyone who likes to see some ‘proper’ physical buttons inside their car, the Skoda Fabia 130 is bang on the money. It still boasts all the mod cons and creature comforts we demand these days, but it’s exceptionally user-friendly without a raft of over-complicated drop-down touchscreen menus.

The interior is modern and upmarket with a sporty theme running throughout. The sports seats are upholstered in a smart cloth material and offer plenty of side bolster support for edgier driving. There are aluminium pedals, plus a three-spoke leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel with DSG paddles to take manual control of the gear changing.

The ‘Fabia’ and ‘130’ badging act as a gentle reminder that this is a special edition model, and there are lots of black, grey and red trimmings throughout.

Finding a comfortable driving position is easy enough with manually adjustable seats and these, along with the steering wheel, can be heated for added cosiness.

The 9.2-inch infotainment screen offers easy access to the many on-board features, including the sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, a six-speaker sound system with DAB radio and lots more besides.

Behind the steering wheel is a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit showing all the important driving figures, while a separate panel beneath the central touchscreen is where all the climate control settings can be adjusted.

How practical is the Skoda Fabia 130 and how big is the boot?

The Skoda Fabia 130 is a five-door hatchback that is guaranteed to turn heads thanks to its athletic good looks and raspy engine note. It stretches 4,137mm in length, is 1,954mm across (including door mirrors), 1,458mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,549mm.

Despite its compact dimensions, the vehicle is deceptively spacious with ample room in the front for two adults to sit comfortably without bumping elbows. Rear legroom is fine for a couple more passengers provided the front seats are not pushed too far back. Three youngsters will fit in the back, but ideally two will be less cramped.

The boot is accessed via a manual tailgate and our test car had a variable boot as a £185 optional extra. This introduces an adjustable floor that can be raised to create a flat loading area which is really useful when loading heavy or awkwardly-shaped items,. Alternatively, it can be lowered to maximise storage space. Our car also had a reversable rubber mat which is handy for carrying damp or muddy clothes and boots.

The boot can swallow up to 380 litres of goods, increasing to 1,190 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats lowered. Additionally, there are plenty of practical storage options throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, door bins with a secure space for water bottles, front cup holders, deep trays, a central cubby, an overhead sunglasses compartment and two USB-C ports to stay connected on the move.

Skoda is renowned for its Simply Clever features too and our car had an umbrella tucked neatly into the driver’s door, so you’ll never get caught out by an unexpected downpour, plus an ice scraper inside the filler cap.

How safe is the Skoda Fabia 130? 

The Skoda Fabia was awarded a maximum five stars when it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating in 2021, achieving a score of 85 per cent for adult occupant safety, 81 per cent for child occupant, 70 per cent for vulnerable road users and 71 per cent for safety assist.

All models feature cruise control with speed limiter, front assist with pedestrian protection and lane assist. There are front, side and head airbags, plus Isofix child seat anchors to the outer rear and front passenger seats.

The Fabia SE L Edition gains hill hold control along with a rear view camera, while Fabia Monte Carlo Edition gets front and rear parking sensors.

What are the Skoda Fabia 130’s options?

There are all manner of ways to personalise the Skoda Fabia from upgrading the alloy wheels which costs between £535 and £1,455, to adding a space-saver spare priced at £160. Then, selecting metallic or enhanced paintwork costs from £680 to £1,065.

Additionally, customers can look at a number of packs to introduce a touch of luxury or comfort to their cars. For example, the Winter Premium package costs £560 and adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated windscreen and washer fluid level indicator.

The Convenience package includes front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, keyless entry and start/stop, plus a Drive Mode Selection with Eco function – this pack costs from £430 to £855 depending on the trim.

Factor in the safety, lighting and assisted driving packs, and the Fabia can be specified to the hilt – at a price, of course.

What are the biggest rivals to the Skoda Fabia 130?

While the standard Skoda Fabia would be vying for sales against the likes of the Citroen C3, Dacia Sandero and Vauxhall Corsa, the Fabia 130 increases the performance stakes so would see its closest competition coming from the VW Polo GTI, SEAT Ibiza and Renault Clio amongst others.

Skoda Fabia 130: Verdict and next steps

The Fabia 130 is a special edition model that Skoda has launched to celebrate its 130th anniversary. It looks great with dynamic styling and is well-equipped with a generous supply of technology inside a driver-focused cabin.

Performance-wise, it’s sharp off the mark and copes well on motorways, country lanes and in busier cities, although it’s not an out-and-out hot hatch.

It’s not particularly cheap either costing just a fiver below £30k and that’s before any options, but it is competitively priced and has the backing of Skoda’s excellent reputation for reliability, smart packaging, performance, efficiency, solid build quality and clever technology.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Skoda Fabia 130

**Correct as of 06/02/2026. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48month lease. Initial payment equivalent to  monthly payments, or £4,163.52  (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.