Skoda has endowed its latest Octavia with a precise, technical design, eschewing curves for sharp angles and taut-looking body surfaces. It is appealing and modern, although to our eyes lacks a little character compared to previous generations of the car.
But the way Skoda’s designers have succeeded in masking the car’s vast interior dimensions from the outside is impressive. That’s hammered home when you lift the rear hatch – no mean feat, it has a considerable weight due to its size – and survey the continent-size storage space within.
It’s not a smoke and mirrors trick where useable boot space is much smaller than the manufacturer’s claims either; the boot is commodious enough to take most objects, the hatch opening is massive, and the loading sill is at a comfortable height.
When you also consider the host of deft touches Skoda includes – a double-sided floor mat for clean or muddy goods, for example – it reinforces the Octavia’s practical stance.
Rear passengers also feel the benefit of that elongated wheelbase. Knee room to the back of the front seats has increased by 47mm to 73mm. Headroom has gone up, too, although the very tallest of passengers might find that the angle where the roof meets the rear hatch is positioned directly where their head is.
Up front it’s a similar story, with occupants getting more space in every dimension. Behind the wheel, the cockpit layout is clear and the controls feel solid and well designed, although those intimately familiar with more premium VW Group products might notice that the quality is a step below what you might find in more premium offerings.
The 2.0 turbodiesel engine is already a proven product across the Volkswagen range, and with 236lb ft on tap it provides plenty of flexible shove. The downside is a hint of brash engine noise when you accelerate hard, but it isn’t something that will be particularly noticeable when the stereo is on and the kids are babbling away in the back.
The 1.6 TDI would be the choice for those with a very keen eye on fuel economy, emissions and price, but we prefer this bigger unit. You can imagine it coping easily when called upon to haul family and luggage around during a summer holiday.
Whether you prefer the six-speed dual-clutch automatic fitted to our test car or the alternative (and cheaper) six-speed manual option will be a matter of personal preference. The auto interacts well with this engine, going about its task competently and anonymously, albeit with the occasional sneaking suspicion that it might over-optimise the gears in a situation where a driver might cruise along without so many shifts.
Join the debate
benjamino
A nal
I don't mean to be a nal, but isn't 73mm of legroom a bit limiting, even if it has gone up by 47mm?
TegTypeR
Like the Rapid before it, I'd
Like the Rapid before it, I'd be interested to see a test of the 1.4TSI engined version. The Rapid proved the lighter engine sweetens the whole package and I wonder if it is the same with the Octavia.
What Skoda have done here is show they really are masters of offering just enough of what the average early 21st century driver needs in a decent affordable package. Like it's predecessors it humbles its parent companies equivalent products quite a bit.
It's all about the twisties........
MSV
No multi-link in 2.0 TDI
The new Octavia 2.0 TDI definitely does not have a multi-link rear suspension, 1.8 TSI is the only model. It is widely criticized aspect and one of the biggest problems of new Octavia. See this picture of new Octava 2,0 TDI:
http://tinyurl.com/o3-beam
Does it look like a multi-link? I would not say so... This does:
http://tinyurl.com/o3-multi
Please correct it, only models with 111 kW (151 PS) and more will have multi-link. So the 1.8 TSI has and maybe some more powerful TDI will have, but 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (148 hp/150 PS) has simply the beam-axle...
Brythonic
Multi-link
MSV
The new Ocatavia 2.0 dti most certainly does have rear multi-link suspension. Have you been reading a foriegn site where the specs are often different? Other than when the vRS model is released sometime later this year, the 1.8 tsi you mentioned, is not available for sale in the UK, despite some earlier claims to the conterary.
Granturismo
Meh. Its a big lump of bland
Meh. Its a big lump of bland mediocrity.
It will make sense to certain people because of the space and value for money, which is fair enough. But the whole car as a package isnt exciting or interesting in the slightest to me.
Matt Burt
Thanks MSV, you're correct.
Thanks MSV, you're correct. When the car spec said 'up to 110kW' cars get the multi-link I assumed it meant cars starting from that power got it. Just rechecked the specification and indeed the 2.0 TDI has the beam. With the 1.8 not coming to the UK, that means all the UK cars will be the beam system at launch, until any more powerful variants arrive.
That said, I didn't think it ruined the Octavia. There were a few rougher roads on the test route but it wasn't particularly disruptive and I came back with all of my fillings intact. However, it will be interesting to see if that is the case on the UK's generally poor road network when we drive the car here in March.
Matt Burt
Hi TegTypeR, 1.4 TSI test to
Hi TegTypeR,
1.4 TSI test to follow (when I pull my finger out!). Yesterday I got to drive the 1.2, 1.4 petrols and 1.6 and 2.0 diesels. I know there's a subjective element to these things, but the 1.4 was my favourite of the bunch and backs up what you say about the Rapid. Great mix of pull and nimbleness.
cdokelman
skoda Octavia.
It is a good car, well made,and not too expansive. I am glad to see that Skoda has an 'Auto' in its line up.
nicebiscuit
This looks like Audis used to...
...before they became brash, back when they were the understated alternative to BMW. The front and rear are very similar to the first iteration of A4 Cabriolet. The only bit that jars slightly is the kink in the rear passenger window. It's almost as if it had to be there to stop it looking exactly like an Audi (that bit's nicked from Lexus)
I like it mind and would take one as a company car in a shot.
marewald2489
1.8TSI
It's ashame the 1.8TSI is not coming to the UK. With a 180ps, it would have better performance than the Mk1 vRS, considering the Mk3 is lighter the evan the Mk1 Octavia.
Old Driver
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