Skoda Fabia vs Fiat 500
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Sep 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$27,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$28,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Skoda Fabia starts from $27,990 before on-road costs, while the Fiat 500 opens at $28,900. That makes the Skoda Fabia the more affordable entry point by $910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $30,789 and $31,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Skoda Fabia
- REC-005025 · published 4 Jan 2022Due to a manufacturing issue with the welding of the rear middle backrest frame there may be a reduction in the performance of the attached seat belt.Year range on the notice: 2021
- REC-001196 · published 15 Oct 2019Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmissions pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2008 - 2015
- REC-001199 · published 8 Jul 2019In some instances, the front driver air bag may not inflate to its fullest capacity fast enough when required.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2018
- 1 more on the model page.
Fiat 500
- REC-003875 · published 30 May 2019On affected vehicles the drive axle may break due to a nonconformity in the production process.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-003732 · published 26 Jul 2016Possible non-conformity of the right front seat guide tracks.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-003693 · published 18 Apr 2016There is a potential deviation in the buckle heat treatment process.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Skoda Fabia features a 8.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 8-inch digital dash, while the Fiat 500 gets a 7-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Skoda Fabia gets cloth upholstery while the Fiat 500 offers fabric. Climate control is 2-zone in the Skoda Fabia and 1-zone in the Fiat 500.
Drivetrain
The Skoda Fabia uses a Petrol producing 85kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.7 seconds.
The Fiat 500 responds with a MultiAir Petrol making 51kW and 102Nm, paired to a 5-speed dualogic automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.9 seconds.
The Skoda Fabia has the clear power advantage at 85kW vs 51kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Skoda Fabia is 3.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Skoda Fabia measures 4,108mm long on a 2,564mm wheelbase, 537mm longer than the Fiat 500 at 3,571mm (2,300mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Skoda Fabia generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 380L in the Skoda Fabia and 185L in the Fiat 500, giving the Skoda Fabia a 195L advantage. The Skoda Fabia seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 10.7m
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,425/year for the Skoda Fabia and $1,368/year for the Fiat 500. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Fiat 500.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Skoda Fabia) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500). The Skoda Fabia has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Skoda Fabia if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Fiat 500 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (79 vs 60). The Skoda Fabia and Fiat 500 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Fiat 500 will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Skoda Fabia has a clear edge. The Skoda Fabia adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Skoda Fabia and Fiat 500?
The Skoda Fabia is the cheapest at $27,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Fiat 500 by $910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Fiat 500 uses the least fuel at 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Skoda Fabia holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Fiat 500, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Skoda Fabia has the largest boot at 380L with the seats up (1,190L with the seats folded).
Which has the best warranty?
The Skoda Fabia has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Skoda Fabia makes the most power at 85kW. The Skoda Fabia is quickest to 100km/h in 9.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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