Skoda Fabia review

These days the range in the UK starts at £19,730 for the SE Comfort trim. That jumps to £20,530 for the Colour Edition, £22,465 for the SE L and £22,965 for the Monte Carlo. However, if you want the latter with the biggest 1.5-litre engine then expect to pay over £25.5k. 

Monthly payments start at around £175 for an entry-level SE Comfort, rising to just over £285 for a 4cyl Monte Carlo on a four-year agreement with a £5k deposit.

What are the kit choices like? 

Well, as part of the spring 2024 update Skoda also slightly tweaked the kit list. 

As standard base SE Comfort versions now get an 8in digital instrument display which replaces the previous analogue unit, along with a larger 8.25in infotainment screen. Additional kit includes 15in alloys plus LED headlights and running lights.

Colour Edition models also now get the bigger infotainment screen plus cruise control with speed limiter, rear electric windows and rear LED lights. Other highlights include the 10.25in virtual cockpit and 16in black alloy wheels. 

SE L versions now too get the larger instrument cluster, rear privacy glass and rear LED lights. You can tell it apart from the Colour Edition based on the 16in silver alloy wheels, while inside it also gets a 9.2in infotainment display.

Range-topping Monte Carlo models get 17in diamond cut alloy wheels, sport bumpers, black styling and flashy Monte Carlo badging, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, and black fabric/artificial leather seats (now with front seat lumbar support).

There’s a choice of nine different colours, four of which are shades of white or blue. There is a nifty shade of orange for the bold that works surprisingly well, and you can also spec various bits in contrasting grey or black.

Which model should I go for?

Ah, the big hitter. Well, trim level really comes down to your preference: at the lower price scale you’ve the choice of SE Comfort and the Colour Edition, while at the upper end the SE L and Monte Carlo versions are the glossier and sportier versions of the Fabia respectively. The middling Colour Edition seems like a good bet, with plenty of tech and added flair.

We’d avoid the nat-asp engine – our choice would be the turbocharged 114bhp variant, paired with the six-speed manual box, which is quick enough and also offers increased economy over the same engine equipped with a DSG auto. Shame there’s not an electric powertrain to suit, mind.