• Good all-round passenger space
• Cabin storage space impresses, too…
• …As does the capacious bootspace

The third-generation Skoda Fabia marks a big improvement over the previous generation model, boasting greater shoulder and leg room all-round. Those in the front seats will find plenty of space to relax in – even if they’re over six-foot – while rear seat passengers benefit from a decent amount of space, providing those in the front aren’t too tall. 

Two fully grown adults – or three kids – sitting across the three back seats is achievable, although upgrading to the larger Octavia does provide a substantial increase in available space. There’s a pair of Isofix fittings on the rear seat (outer chairs), too, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat means everyone should have a good view out, regardless of stature.

Cabin storage is impressive with large front cupholders and decently sized rear ones, plus ample space to store your phone/sunglasses and other bric-a-brac. Other neat features include credit card storage slots and pockets for storage behind the front seats.

The Simply Clever storage facility is also available, and adds a phone holder and waste bin (among other items) in the front.

Will it fit in my garage?

The Skoda Fabia is easily placeable on the road thanks to its compact, squared off dimensions and delivers good all-round visibility. Rear parking sensors are standard on SE models and above, with all-round coverage available as an option on all models. 

A rear-view camera can also be had as an option on all but the base S-spec cars and comes with a handy washer nozzle for when it gets clogged up with road surface grime.

Will my luggage fit?

The Fabia’s overall boot space compares reasonably well to its rivals, outscoring the Hyundai i20, Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio. It is beaten by its SEAT Ibiza stablemate, but only slightly at 355 litres to 330.

Its boxy shape and low-down sill mean it’s easy to load bulky items in, plus the rear seats fold down with minimal effort if you need to extract more space. Spec the Simply Clever package, and you’ll get handy extras such as netting and straps in the boot, making it easier to keep smaller items in place.

Safety

• Five-star safety rating in 2014
• Isofix points on outer rear seats
• Front Assist standard on all post-facelift models

When tested in 2014, the Skoda Fabia scored the full five stars for its overall safety rating. The report paid particular attention to the Fabia’s adult and child occupant safety, with maximum points scored for the protection provided to the 1.5-year-old dummy during dynamic crash tests.

As standard you’ll find every Fabia fitted with six airbags (the front passenger bag can be deactivated) and tyre pressure monitoring.

Multi-collision Brake ensures that the anchors are applied after an impact, should the driver be unable to react themselves, to lessen the severity of a second crash. 

What’s more, all post-facelift (September 2018) cars come with Front Assist as standard. This system works to reduce the chance of an accident by warning drivers if a potential collision is detected, then automatically applying the brakes if no action is taken. Blindspot monitoring and rear traffic alert is also available as an option on post-facelift cars.

WATCH: Skoda Fabia Euro NCAP crash test video (2014)