Skoda Fabia Hatchback

1.0 TSI 116 Design Edition 5dr [2026]

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.