Test drive: New Skoda Octavia
Skoda has done it again – improved on what was already an excellent car, writes Sharon Walters.
The latest Octavia is bigger than before (and it was one of the most spacious in its class already) and improved in so many ways with lots of technology that does not just make your motoring life more comfortable but an awful lot safer too.
It's based on the platform that underpins the latest Seat Leon and VW Golf, but it has a longer wheelbase and an extended rear overhang to help distance it from those two siblings from the same ultimate stable.
Even though prices have risen by around £2,000 compared with the outgoing Octavia, the replacement is much better equipped and is in fact better value for money.
There's a choice of two turbo petrol engines and two diesels, with an ultra-efficient 89g/km Greenline set for later this year, and a not-to-be-missed 217bhp vRS hot hatch. Can't wait to try that!
On a test route that took in winding back roads and a stretch of motorway the drive was pleasant with little effect from the bumps and potholes encountered.
Refinement is good, too. There was little tyre rumble or wind noise and the atmosphere is good in the cabin which has a good quality finish.
There is so much space for passengers that I imagined the boot capacity would be compromised – but no, you get a massive space.
You also get Velcro dividers, a reversible floor with one side carpeted and the other wipe-clean rubber for when you carry dirty dogs!
The parcel shelf neatly stores away flush with the rear seats which means you don't leave it lying around or taking up valuable load space.
There are three trims – S, SE and Elegance – and across the range you get more than German marques offer including air-conditioning, smart alloy wheels, seven airbags, stability control, Bluetooth, DAB radio, six-disc CD changer, a USB socket and much more.
Go up to up to SE trim and you also get such goodies as rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, front foglights and rear electric windows. Invest in the range-topping Elegance and the sat-nav is superb, there are larger alloys, leather upholstery, cruise control and automatic lights and wipers.
It is excellent value for money, is generally cheaper to insure than rivals and has lower CO2 emissions with the diesel escaping the London Congestion Charge – the car is really a winner.
Taking a look back over the history of the Octavia you discover that 44 in every 100 Skodas built are Octavias and more than 3.7 million have been sold since the first ones arrived back in 1996 – that makes me feel really old. No wonder such effort has been put into making the new Octavia even more successful to build on such incredible success.
The new Octavia line-up starts at £15,990 for a 1.2-litre petrol model in S trim, rising to £23,240 for the range-topping 2.0 diesel automatic.
Forget the badge snobbery and go out and buy a Skoda Octavia.
