Skoda Octavia RS petrol and diesel 2014 Review

In what has to be the bargain of the year, Skoda offers not one but two Octavia RS performance models - one in turbo diesel, one in turbo petrol and with a choice of four door sedan or five door wagon.

PRICE

They start at $36,490 for the manual sedan 2.0-litre 162TSi rising to $41,140 for the 135TDi 2.0-litre diesel auto wagon. That prices the Octavia RS range below more fancied players in the medium car segment - and it gets more kit, more power and performance and is in many cases, more fuel efficient.

Octavia wagon is a good looking beast from any angle and has a large load space and super comfy interior for five.

Recently upgraded, the RS has a handsome new face and detail changes inside and outside as well as the adoption of a rear view camera (across all Octavia models).

We had the chance to drive the 162TSi petrol sedan and the 135TDi diesel wagon back to back and really, truly can't pick between the two apart from a preference for the wagon. Octavia wagon is a good looking beast from any angle and has a large load space and super comfy interior for five.

ENGINES

Both engines are well know in the Audi/VW/Skoda family with the petrol lifted from Golf GTi and the diesel from any number of vehicles in the group. It's the high output version with 135kW/380Nm while the petrol achieves, as the name suggests, 162kW with 350Nm.

Both engines deliver peak torque low in the rev range for enhanced driveability and lower fuel consumption. The petrol requires 98 octane which adds to running costs (6.8-litres/100km) but the diesel can sip at the extraordinary level of 5.2-litres/100km. Another argument for the diesel. But it doesn't have the explosive response of the petrol which really lights up when you give it some "welly". Not surprising given its lineage.

DYNAMICS

Drive for both engines it to the front wheels modulated by an electronic diff locking system called XDL - yes - also in Golf - and others. There's absolutely no torque steer evident in either petrol or diesel cars. The two we drove had DSG dual clutch manumatic gearboxes that worked a treat under all conditions. Both offer manual mode and have rapid-fire gear selection up or down the range.

Octavia RS rides lower than the standard cars and has sports (firmer) suspension together with better brakes, tyres, and large 18-inch wheels optionable to 19s. The suspension is a strut front and multi-link rear offering a good compromise between sporty and comfortable. Electric power steering provides good feel and sharp responses.

SAFETY

Some driver assist features make their way into Octavia RS as standard but the Tech Pack brings plenty more like adaptive cruise control, auto park assist, keyless entry and start and other handy stuff. The RS does get multi collision brake assist, fatigue detect and nine airbags as standard. Five stars? You bet.

KIT

We really liked the metal pedals, dual zone climate control, adaptive (see around corners) bi-xenon headlights, the fabric/leather sports seats, tyre pressure monitoring, comprehensive digital connectivity through a large screen with satnav and trip computer. The Octavia RS's multi device connection box should be in every car.

DRIVING

It's a good thing in all driving environments from tooling around town on shopping duties to commuting, touring and even sporty driving. All are capably handled by both versions of the RS. Throttle response is gratifying in both as is the drive feel. It's comfortable, smooth and quiet which is possibly the only real criticism - a bit quiet compared with other sporty vehicles in the VW group.