As good as a Fabia gets - which is good enough for some - but not worthy of the name 'Sport'

What is it?

This is the Skoda Fabia Sport. Which means the Fabia’s suspension has been lowered by 15mm, so it looks a bit sportier.

Otherwise it’s unchanged from the existing Fabia Sport, which is actually a range-topper rather than something with any serious sporting pretence (it can even be had with a 1.2-litre 69bhp engine). Fog lights, a body kit and 16in alloy wheels mark it out as the Sport.

What’s it like?

The Skoda Fabia Sport is as good as other Fabias. It’s a spacious supermini with a fine driving position, sufficient room in the back and a decent boot. Cabin materials aren’t as classy as those offered by a Corsa or Fiesta, which could be a problem were it not for the Fabia’s comprehensive list of standard equipment.

It’s comfortable rather than sporty to drive, too. There’s a bit of old-school French hatchback to the way it rolls and its ride is mostly smooth, though the big alloys detract from its low-speed compliance. The Fabia Sport corners without the vigour of a Fiesta, but with more verve than a cooking Renault Clio or Vauxhall Corsa.

Should I buy one?

Maybe, so long as you don’t take the Sport tag literally; the Skoda Fabia Sport is as sporty as a wooden leg. But it looks good and is broadly competitive.

Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

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RSkoda 17 March 2009

Re: Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI PD Sport

The Fabia will be facelifted next year and will get the new 1.6 TDI and 1.2 TSI engines and I would imagine the Ibiza will get them next year too. It may be running the older platform underneath but you have to remember the Fabia has been out for two years now whilst the new Polo has only just been launched so the Fabia had to make do with the old platform unfortunately.

People should just look at the Sport as another spec level for the Fabia rather than a hot hatch model, we'll have to wait for the next RS for that.

Johny.Rico 17 March 2009

Re: Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI PD Sport

Well, you have chosen Fabia, I chose Suzuki Swift 1.3. I tried a test run with Fabia, Fiesta and Punto (1.2 all of them) and Suzuki was absolutelly the best.

Lee23404 16 March 2009

Re: Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI PD Sport

militant wrote:

I just hope the new platform will be coming with many new parts and this is why I wouldn't buy the FabiaII (having the old platform) and I would go for the new Polo or Ibiza, which are both using the new chassis.

I think the new Polo looks good, maybe I could go back to VW's. The Ibiza looks good as well, it's just a shame that the interior looks low rent and VW has saddled it will a load of old petrol/diesel engines.