Skoda Octavia

Skoda's improved third generation Octavia looks an even stronger proposition.

Jonathan Crouch reports

Ten Second Review

A Skoda Octavia was once the least sophisticated of all the Volkswagen Group's family hatchback products. Not any more. Almost nothing has been held back for this third generation version, which now features smarter looks, a hi-tech 1.0-litre TSI entry-level petrol engine, the option of adaptive damping further up the range and more sophisticated optional smartphone connectivity.

Background

You can trace the Skoda success story of the last couple of decades back to the original launch of one model: this one - the Octavia.

Right from its very first appearance in 1996, this has been a car that's always super-sized its value proposition, offering more space than the class norm. For first and second generation versions, that class saw competition amongst Focus and Astra-class family hatches. This MK3 model though, took a step up in the world, virtually big enough to compete with Mondeos and Insignias in the larger medium range segment.

An Octavia then, that's larger than previous generation versions were - and cleverer too - as it has to be to distance itself from the simpler, smaller Rapid model. The Rapid is the car to choose for Skoda motoring as it used to be, light on frills and cutting-edge technology but solid, reliable, value-laden and built to last. This improved Octavia, in contrast, is more a signpost to a direction the Czech brand wants to go in the future: one that shares the very latest technology with more luxurious brands in the Volkswagen Group stable.

Driving Experience

As with the Volkswagen Golf and the SEAT Leon, the German engineers who created this car took a pragmatic approach to driving dynamics, deciding that drivers opting for lower order engines wouldn't care too much about cutting edge handling response. So the sophisticated multilink rear suspension is reserved for the performance-oriented vRS models, the most powerful of which uses the 2.0-litre TSI petrol unit borrowed from the Golf GTI.

Here though, we're focusing on the mainstream variants that most Octavia customers will be considering, all suspended with a much humbler torsion beam arrangement. A very large proportion of customers opt for entry-level petrol power, previously a 1.2-litre unit but now a more frugal and sophisticated 1.0-litre engine developing 115PS and 200NM of torque. It can be ordered with or without 7-speed DSG auto transmission and in manual form, makes 62mph in 9.6s. Otherwise, the engines on offer are much as before.

Design and Build

Skoda people will probably quite like the fact that the look and feel of this car doesn't attract too much attention, even in this updated form where the lines have been streamlined, especially at the front. The two adjacent headlights form a dual face with a crystalline look and feature full-LED technology. The brand logo has gained more presence, with the front of the car featuring what the Czech maker hopes is a more powerful and wider appearance.

So-called 'Simply Clever' features include an allergen filter for the Climatronic air conditioner, an optional rear-view camera that's kept clean using washer jets and an optional umbrella under the front passenger seat. Plus iPads can be mounted to the front seats' backrests.

Market and Model

Expect to pay somewhere in the £16,000 to £25,000 bracket for mainstream versions of this Octavia. Should you want the spacious estate rather than the five-door model, then there's an £800 model-for-model premium to find. The UK best seller will be the 115PS 1.6-litre TDI diesel version, a variant that commands a £1,000 premium over the similarly powerful 1.0-litre TSI petrol alternative. These are the two engines you'll find in most UK Octavias. To understand why, you only need to look at the price premiums required in each case to progress to something pokier. If you're a petrol person, there's a £1,200 jump to go from the 1.0 TSI to the 1.4. And if you're a diesel driver, there's a £1,900 premium to go from the 1.6-litre TDI to the 150PS 2.0-litre alternative.

Cost of Ownership

The big news for Octavia buyers in recent times is that a turbo-charged, three-cylinder petrol engine has replaced the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder variant at the foot of the range. From its engine size of 999cc, the 1.0 TSI powerplant produces 115PS and is 8% more efficient than the previous 1.2 TSI unit. The hatchback with 7-speed DSG can return 62.8mpg emitting 105g/km of CO2, while the manual gearbox lowers the latter to 104g/km. Choose the Octavia Estate and this increases to 61.4mpg (106g/km) and 62.8mpg (105g/km) respectively.

An optional aero package which further increases efficiency includes a lowered sport chassis, active air flaps, a tailgate or roof spoiler for further improved air flow and low rolling resistance tyres. Fuel consumption improves to 64.2mpg and the CO2 emissions to 102g/km in both the hatchback and the Estate with manual gearbox.

Summary

Octavias have sold prolifically, enough, if placed end-to-end, to fill all three lanes of the complete M25. This improved version looks likely to continue that trend. The excellence of the latest 1.0 TSI petrol engine means that there's no need to automatically opt for a diesel if you're looking at this car and the 'Simply Clever' design touches make a lot of difference to day-to-day usability. Skoda want the purchase of something like an Octavia to be viewed not as a cheaper choice but instead as rather a clever one. That time may already have arrived.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Skoda Octavia range

PRICES: £17,085 - £26,565 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUPS: 14E– 29E

CO2 EMISSIONS: 90-146g/km

PERFORMANCE: [2.0 TDI 150] Max Speed 135mph / 0-60mph 8.5s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6 TDI 110] (combined) 74.3mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Up to nine airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr Hatch] Length/Width/Height, 4659/1814/1461mm

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