Skoda Fabia vs. Volkswagen Polo: which is better?
If you’re looking for a top-quality supermini, chances are that you’ve come across the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia. But which is the better model?
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Struggling to pick between these two high-quality superminis? Skoda and Volkswagen have years of experience making small hatchbacks, but there are some key differences.
In this guide, we set out some of those differences as well as highlight important similarities in order for you to make a more informed choice.
Does the Skoda Fabia or Volkswagen Polo offer more style?
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The Polo has been a popular small hatchback for many years and has undergone many minor and major updates to keep it looking fresh and modern.
The latest version of the Polo features a sportier and more aggressive design, including a sharper front end and grille, a more sculpted body, and bumper designs that make it look lower and wider than before.
It’s also available with plenty of customisation options, including decals and design-focused trim levels.
Skoda designed the Fabia to be more understated and elegant, but the latest version looks just as modern and slick.
Both cars have a good level of comfort and refinement inside, but the Volkswagen’s materials are a slight step above the Skoda’s in terms of quality.
Is the Volkswagen Polo or Skoda Fabia better to drive?
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It’s clear that the Skoda has been engineered to make town driving easy because it’s extremely comfortable, has light steering and its suspension is well-tuned for our potholed roads.
The Polo isn’t uncomfortable, but it does have an extra bit of rigidity in its suspension and slightly more direct steering that makes it feel a little sportier to drive.
It excels on twisting country roads, but it's just as happy around town.
Most buyers tend to go for a 1.0-litre petrol engine and we think these are the pick of the bunch, especially with the higher 110hp output.
They’ve also been available with 1.6-litre diesel engines, which promise extremely high mpg figures, but they’ve been removed from the order books due to reduced demand.
For the Polo, there’s also the option of a 207hp 2.0-litre petrol engine capable of 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, which is quick by supermini standards.
The Skoda has a middling 1.5-litre petrol engine – it’s quicker than the 1.0-litre engines, but it’s not as refined.
Skoda Fabia vs. VW Polo: interior
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The Skoda’s interior has a sensible dashboard layout with plenty of physical controls that are easy to use on the go.
Volkswagen uses touch-sensitive controls for the Polo on higher-spec models, which looks great but can be trickier to use on the go.
You’ll have to go for a higher trim level to get more car tech in the Fabia, such as a digital instrument cluster, whereas this is standard on the Polo.
Remember to check the exact spec of any car you’ve shortlisted because standard equipment levels vary with model years.
They both have comfortable and supportive seats but the Fabia has a longer wheelbase, which translates to more legroom for rear-seat passengers.
Volkswagen Polo vs. Skoda Fabia: which has more boot space?
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The Volkswagen Polo has a 351-litre boot, which is substantially more than you’d find in a Ford Fiesta (292 litres). With the rear seats folded, there’s up to 1,125 litres of space.
Thanks to its clever design and emphasis on practicality, the Fabia has an even larger 380-litre boot, which is exactly the same amount of space as you’d find in a Volkswagen Golf – a car from the class above.
With the seats folded, the 1,190-litre space isn’t much larger than the Polo’s.
Compare Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia: which is more reliable?
Skoda belongs to the Volkswagen group, which means both these cars share a lot of mechanical parts. They’re also built on the same platform as the SEAT Ibiza and Audi A1.
That means the engines and gearboxes are tried and tested not just among these four models, but among plenty of others from the four brands.
What’s more, both Volkswagen and Skoda have reputations for building high-quality, durable products.
A car’s reliability relies a lot on maintenance, and while some servicing may cost slightly more for the Volkswagen, they should both be comparably affordable. Because they share parts, getting hold of parts should be easy, too.
Skoda Fabia vs. VW Polo size and dimensions
Although the Fabia looks longer than the Polo, it’s still a standard size for this class of car. It’s 4,108mm long, 1,954mm wide and 1,459mm tall.
Still, the Polo is smaller. It’s 4,074mm long, 1,751mm wide and 1,451mm tall.
Used Volkswagen Polo vs. used Skoda Fabia: which should you buy?
Under their different designs, both cars are very similar and both have a proven track record, which should make deciding between the two a lot easier.
If you’re after a no-nonsense, practical car, the Skoda Fabia has bags of appeal, but if you prefer something a bit more stylish and sporty, then consider the Volkswagen Polo.