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The Skoda Octavia TSI wagon is light and easy to drive. Photo Gallery
Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Skoda Octavia TSi wagon.
We'd only just gotten some wheel-time in the old Skoda Octavia when the new one appeared. Some driving in the outgoing Octavia and its Scout sibling and we had come away impressed - particularly the latter, which was a good all-rounder.
The first taste of the new-look car is an Octavia TSI DSG petrol wagon. The looks from the front are more mainstream, something its predecessor had a crack at but didn't quite achieve.
The loadbox over the rear axle isn't exactly inspired by a Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce derriere - hearse-like design is perhaps a little more apt. But from inside the car you don't have to look at it and if you didn't look aft you probably wouldn't have any sense of being in a load-lugger.
It's a light and easy car to drive, with the little direct-injection powerplant giving plenty once it's overcome a combination of the DSG and turbo hesitations — something that is still a problem for the VW group and others opting for double-clutchers — but there's been plenty of improvement.
Clever induction and turbocharging provide 118kW of power from 4500 to 6200rpm, but there's also a good spread of torque on offer between 1500 and 4500 — 250Nm, which delivers decent in-gear acceleration as well. The only bugbear is that it prefers to drink 98RON premium unleaded, but it sips it a fairly frugal rate — we got 8.7l/100km, not too far away from the 6.7l/100km that the car is rated at for the Australian Design Rules.
There are some clever storage features in the centre console and the boot — while it's not the car's best angle — offers good storage capacity as well. Pitch a pram, belt a bag and sling a suitcase in the back and there's still enough room — a trip home for the airport after an extended absence required three large suitcases, one smaller one, plus other assorted bags and a stroller were slotted into the wagon.
Cabin space is enough to accommodate four adults in comfort, or mum, dad and three offspring will fit without any issues — although the territorial arguments in the rear will probably still be heard.
The TSi is a front-wheel driver but has stability control and six airbags — dual front, side and curtains for front and rear passengers.
Style gurus will probably look for form over function in this market, but those with even a hint of practical leaning (and any sort of budgetary limits) should have the new Octavia on the shopping list. Near the top.
Skoda Octavia TSi wagon
Price: from $33,490.
Engine: 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol four-cylinder.
Transmission: seven-speed automatic, front-wheel drive.
Power: 118kW between 4500 & 6200rpm.
Torque: 250Nm between 1500 & 4500rpm.
Performance: 0-100km/h 7.8 seconds. Top speed 223km/h.
Fuel consumption: 6.7litres/100km, on test 8.7 litres per 100km, tank 55 litres.
Emissions: 157g/km.
Rivals:
Holden Astra CDX wagon, from $29,790.
Subaru Liberty, from $35,490.
Mazda6 wagon, from $36,740.
Volkswagen Passat wagon, from $44,990.
