2011 Skoda Octavia Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Skoda Octavia as a used buy. Under the plain packaging, Skoda's mid-sizer delivered affordable European motoring. New The Octavia was the flag bearer for Skoda when the Czech brand was relaunched here in 2007 after a lengthy absence. By then, the Skoda badge was part

Ewan Kennedy reviews the second and third generation Skoda Octavia sedan and wagon as a used buy.

SUVs march unrelentingly through the suburbs at a pace that has left rival vehicle types in the shade.Two questions: Do you need all that space? And aren't SUVs becoming a bit passe?The answer may be the humble wagon. Now freed of the additive "station'' -- implying expansive grazing lands and lazy windmills -- the wagon has matured to cleverly blend leisure with some family duties. Even better, thanks to their popularity in Europe, they are stylish and many share the enthusiastic engines of their sedan counterparts.Wagons are on an equal footing with their sedan sisters in equipment, safety and performance. The Skoda Octavia wagon here, for example, has the same high-output turbo-petrol engine as its sports-oriented RS sedan model -- itself a reskinned Volkswagen Golf GTI. Wagons also share the handling, agility and performance acumen of their sedan equivalents.But the wagon has a more flexible load area and the ability to haul a range of awkward-sized cargo thanks to split and fold-down rear seats. In comparison to an SUV, the wagon also retains the less cumbersome style of the sedan, in effect offering the best of both worlds.Find a good sedan and if there's a wagon equivalent, then generally it will share any of the sedan's advantages and disadvantages. These three examples are very different in origins and execution. All are current models -- though the Holden and Skoda are poised for replacement -- and will have relatively low mileage.The Skoda is the sports model and is more expensive than its rivals, though has more equipment and has a turbocharged petrol engine with a dual-clutch automatic transmission -- all quite expensive stuff.Resale values are strong for the Hyundai (50 per cent retained after three years) and Skoda (49 per cent) but weak for the Holden (41 per cent), indicating that seeking a near-new used model can be more advantageous for the Holden buyer. TOP TIPSWagons are made for work -- but check to see if it hasn't been abused. You may save big fuel money by choosing a smaller engine. A cargo net or barrier is a wise investment2012 Skoda Octavia RS 147TSI Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrolTransmission: 6-speed dual-clutch autoThirst: 7.9L/100CARSGUIDE SAYS"These wagons boast an incredible amount of storage space -- there's even an extra cubby hole beneath the boot floor. Skoda makes durable cars and though the Octavia is rather plain in appearance, it has a lot of features and is well built. The RS version adds sporty equipment and gets the upmarket 147kW engine and DSG transmission. There are paddle shifters for manual-mode gearchanges, 18-inch alloy wheels, satnav, sports seats and daylight running LEDs. The car has all the safety equipment including six airbags and electronic stability and traction2011 Hyundai i40 PREMIUMEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 7.7L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYS"Hyundai has confirmed the i40 range will continue after it drops the similar i45 models, ensuring the i40 has a strong future. This is a 2.0-litre petrol-engined model -- there is also a 1.7-litre turbo diesel which is better suited to shorter duties such as in the city and suburbs. The Premium model gets a big list of standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, satnav and Bluetooth, cruise control, sunroof and leather seats. There are split-fold rear seats though the available cargo space isn't as generous as the Skoda. Hyundai has a capped-price service schedule and a five-year warranty, which is reassuring for used-car buyers.2012 Holden Commodore SV6Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 9.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYS"The Australian is a strong workhorse with plenty of style and ability. It's also a reliable and easy-to-fix wagon. The SV6 version is a more upmarket model that retains the 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission but adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and a sports body kit. Standard equipment includes six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, a reverse camera, airconditioning and cruise control. It also has a capped-price service schedule and buyers have a portion of the three-year warranty still intact. 

Think Forester before it morphed into just another high riding SUV and you've got the Skoda Scout. That's not doing the Scout an injustice because as a small wagon with some off road ability it is a very practical and appealing vehicle.Skoda (VW's Czech subsidiary) has just added to this appeal with the addition of a 'manumatic' robotised manual gearbox that promises swift gear changes and frugal fuel consumption.There's just two models — the Scout and better equipped Scout Premium — and they're both powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine. It's Volkswagen's 103kW/320Nm direct injection diesel and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or the aforementioned six-speed DSG transmission. It's the same engine that can be found in the Golf and other models in the Volkswagen range.Priced from $39,490 the attraction in the case of a Skoda is the opportunity to purchase Volkswagen technology but at a greatly reduced price. The downside, if you can call it that, is Skoda's low resale values but this will improve as time goes on.There's nothing wrong with the cars. Our test vehicle was the top of the line Premium model with the DSG box, priced from $45,790.The Scout is an offroad version of the Octavia wagon with a 40mm lift kit and some body cladding to provide protection from bumps and scrapes. The fourth-generation Haldex clutch, the heart of the all-wheel drive system, represents the latest in all-wheel drive technology. It works with other onboard electronic systems to transfer drive between the front and rear wheels.An electronic control unit evaluates information such as wheel speed, accelerator pedal position, engine speed, and data from the chassis stability programs. This information is used to vary the torque distribution ratio between the front and rear wheels, up to 98 per cent in either direction.But with only 180mm of ground clearance any off road adventures are limited strictly to snow and the odd dirt track.The all-wheel drive system does however add an extra safety dimension to the car, especially in the wet. We clocked up close to 600km in the Scout.With fuel economy rated at 6.1 litres/100km, we were getting closer to 6.5 litres/100km from the 60-litre tank.The Scout delivers a punchy drive experience, if at times a little noisy because of the intrusion of the diesel. Acceleration is surprisingly rapid and the steering is if anything a little too responsive at times, requiring constant attention to stay on track. The brakes on our test vehicle were also very aggressive, but you get used to them.Rear legrom is good as is the size of the luggage area behind the rear seat. Even the base model Scout is well equiped with six airbags, a full complement of safety technology and satellite navigation system with a 30Gb hard drive and eight speaker audio. There's also climate air, heated front seats and an off side mirror that dips when reversing.The Premium adds electric glass sunroof, privacy glass from B-pillar, and cool 17 inch polished alloys, suede-leather upholstery, and electric driver's seat with memory. It's what you don't get that is annoying. Bluetooth is noticeably absent from both models - it's $550 plus dealer fitting charges.SKODA SCOUTPrice: from $41,790Warranty: 3-year / unlimited kilometreResale: 75% (est.)Service interval: variable, condition-basedSafety: 4-star Euro NCAPEngine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 103kW/320NmBody: five-door wagonWeight: 1550-1570kgTransmission: 6-speed manual and DSG, four-wheel driveThirst: 6.1 L/100km, CO2 160g/km.

The four-wheel drive wagon has returned to the Skoda range in Australia with a six-speed DSG as well as a manual gearbox - the lack of an auto nobbling Scout sales when the brand returned three years ago.Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner guesstimated that as much as 90 per cent of the showroom traffic for the first model were looking for automatics, which bodes well for the new model's chances of contributing to the brand's sales ambitions.VALUEMimicking its main competition - Subaru's Outback - the Scout will be offered in two models, with a base Scout and a Scout Premium.The range kicks off with the six-speed manual at $39,490, rising to $41,790 for a DSG-equipped wagon. Standard fare includes satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, a 30gig hard-drive equipped eight-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake, cloth trim, cruise control, trip computer, 17in alloys, auto headlights and wipers, auto-dimming centre rearvision mirror, rear parking sensors, heated front seats.The Premium pack ups those prices by $4000 but adds a polished finished to the alloy wheels, a sunroof, alcantara leather trim and power-adjustment to the driver's seat.DESIGNThere's nothing outlandish about the design philosophy of the Scout - it's a jacked up (by 40mm) Octavia wagon that is conservative like its predecessor, but a little easier on the eye than the squared off look of the old Scout. The conventional exterior theme is carried over within, but the payoff is reasonable cabin space front and rear, as well as luggage room to the tune of 580 litres, or 1620 litres with the seat-backs down.TECHNOLOGYThe all-wheel drive system used in the new Scout is the fourth-generation of the Haldex clutch, which uses sensors for wheel speed, accelerator pedal position, engine speed and data from the stability control systems to determine how much drive goes the rear axle - Skoda says as much as 98 per cent can be sent to the front or rear wheels as required.SAFETYThe Scout is prepared for an emergency, with stability control - incorporating anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and a hill-holder - and six airbags. There's also the option of adaptive xenon headlights and cornering functionality for the front fog lights.DRIVEThe brief drive of the new DSG model will need to be supplemented with a longer-term stint with the car, but first impressions of the Scout are good. The diesel drivetrain is quiet and the DSG shift is typically slick and swift. While the torque figure might not be groundbreaking, there's solid in-gear acceleration and little in the way of diesel rattle intruding into the cabin. Only at the very top of the rev range - near the power peak - was there any real noise of note.Freeway cruising quickly brought the trip computer figure down toward the highway claim of 5.3 litres per 100km, although the freeway also brought a little tyre noise with it. The equipment list is decent but a glaring omission is the absence of Bluetooth phone link (even on the options list), something of an issue in the VW range as well. It's even more odd given the inclusion of satnav, which on some VW features list is teamed with the phone link.VERDICTThe price is keen and the DSG/diesel drivetrain will win it many fans, but is up against established opponents - worthy of consideration.SKODA OCTAVIA"A good all-rounder that is worth a look"Price: from $41,790Warranty: 3-year / unlimited kilometreResale: 75% (est.)Service interval: variable, condition-basedSafety: 4-star Euro NCAPEngine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 103kW/320NmBody: five-door wagonWeight: 1550-1570kgTransmission: 6-speed manual and DSG, four-wheel driveThirst: 6.1 L/100km, CO2 160g/km