Skoda Octavia Reviews

Wow. Besides being much nearer to the Golf in terms of quality, this car is about five grand cheaper than expected. It gets the same turbocharged engine as the GTI, sports suspension with adaptive chassis control, progressive steering and even the trick XDL differential lock. PRICE / FEATURESPrices for the sedan start from $36,490, or $38,790 for the auto - while the diesel adds $1000 to the price tag (wagon is $1350 extra in any denomination). In comparison the GTI in standard form is priced from $41,990 or $44,490 for the auto.The interior of the RS is dominated by a huge 8 inch navigation screen, with a proximity sensor that pops up the menu system before your fingers reach the screen.The DVD-based system infotainment system features eight speakers, Apple video functionality, two SD card slots, Bluetooth phone functionality, voice control, JPEG viewer - with 64Gb of internal memory. ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONThe petrol engine produces 162kW/350Nm while the diesel delivers 135kW/380Nm. The petrol engine is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual clutch auto, while the diesel is available only with the auto. Gear change paddles are standard with the DSG change as are auto stop-start and brake energy recuperation.Fuel consumption for the petrol engine is a claimed 6.6 litres/100km and for the diesel, 5.2 litres/100km – but beware it takes 98 strength petrol (we were getting 9.2 after 360km.The handbrake in the RS (another point of difference) is a traditional mechanical device while the GTI gets an electronic one. DESIGN / STYLINGFinally they've done something about that awful front grille and it actually looks okay. The new grille is underscored a honeycomb-style air dam, with fog lights and new bi-xenon lights with integrated LEDs. The car is also longer and wider than before, with a 102mm longer wheelbase.Red brake callipers are standard and it rides on 18 inch alloys, with 225/40 tyres. Inside the RS sport seats are available in an attractive combination of leather and fabric, or optional Alcantara leather with red stitching. There is also a sporty three-spoke wheel a colour multi-function display. RS badges adorn the steering wheel, gearshift, door sills, seats and floor mats.SAFETYGets a full five stars for crash safety. Comes with nine airbags as well as some newly developed, active safety systems including multi-collision brake with automatic braking action engaged after an accident, Passenger Protect Assist and Fatigue Detection. Front Assist with emergency braking is also available in the optional Tech Pack. DRIVINGLooks good. Smooth and powerful. May lack some of the refinement of the GTI but at the price who gives a toss? Strong performance is underpinned by excellent ride and handling plus a roomy, comfortable cabin with enough rear legroom to accommodate adults - not to mention a large luggage area. By the way it may look like a sedan but is actually a lift-back.Because the Octavia is larger and heavier than the GTI it's a fraction slower out of the gates – 6.9 versus 6.5 secs for the dash from 0-100km/h. The two have a different track (distance between wheels) and wheelbase and a different suspension setup as well. Again who cares? 

The Skoda Octavia sedan is unique in the mid-size segment, disguising a five-door hatch within a sedan silhouette.

Skoda still lags in perception in the minds of many Australian car buyers.

The big-hearted Skoda Octavia just got bigger in a bid to make its mark on the mid-size segment.

A Golf GTI in family car form. What's not to like? Well, try a glaring safety omission Skoda may be one of the five oldest automotive nameplates in the world.

It's chips or straws, a toss-up between the petrol DSG and the diesel manual versions of Skoda's Octavia RS, due in Australia in March.

One thing for sure, Skoda packs a heap of value into its new generation III Octavia range which delivers plenty of car, technology and features in a right size package... at sharp prices.

Volkswagen Golf 90TSI Comfortline and Skoda Octavia Ambition Plus go head-to-head in this comparative review. .star {width:135px;}#article-corpus {width:100%; padding-right: 0;}

Why would anyone buy a small car when a pedigreed medium-sized car can be had for the same money? Or maybe even a few bucks less? That's the question buyers need to ask because Skoda has just opened up a big new door of opportunity with its mid-sized Octavia.VALUEThe new Octavia, on sale now, is a bit lighter, more powerful, longer and wider than before and has a longer wheelbase, which translates to a better ride and more passenger space. It comes in three unusually-named spec levels: Ambition, Ambition Plus and Elegance.The six-speed manual Ambition sedan costs $21,690, about the same as a dozen or so light and small-class cars, but apart from the advantage of a lot more space and comfort plus great fuel economy, it's pretty well equipped too.All models have a leather-rimmed steering with radio and phone controls, leather handbrake and gear lever covers, plus Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Attraction features cloth seats, foglights, seven airbags, a four-speaker audio system, tinted glass, daytime running lights, a trip computer and 16-inch steel wheels with alloy-look covers and a full-sized spare wheel. Seven-speed DSG is a $2300 option and if even more space in needed, there's a neat wagon version for only $1350 extra.Ambition Plus pricing starts at $24,490 and includes 17-inch alloys, cruise control and rear parking sensors, nine airbags, eight speakers, a pre-emptive crash safety system, driver fatigue monitoring and a 5.8-inch touchscreen.The Elegance, from $32,190, gets 18-inch alloys, full leather trim, SatNav, an 8-inch touchscreen, DVD player, two SD card slots, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth auto-on wipers and lights and an premium 64GB Columbus infotainment system.TECHNOLOGYLike others in the VW family, the Czech-built Skoda offers a trio of engine choices: 1.4 and 1.8litre four-cylinder petrol turbos and a 2.0litre turbo-diesel.The 1.4litre produces a feisty 103kW/250Nm which is enough to rocket the sizeable Octavia to 100km/h in 8.4secs. Better still is its frugal fuel use: 5.2l/100km. The 1.8 cranks out a muscular 132k250Nm, gets to the tonne in 7.4 seconds and uses 5.9l/100km and the diesel offers 110kW320Nm and fuel economy of 4.9l/100km. Quite a performer too, getting to 100km/h in 8.6seconds.Interestingly, the 132kW versions get a different rear suspension. Instead of the torsion beam axle, trailing arms and coils of the 103kW and the diesel, the 132 model has an independent four-link  set-up with coils and anti-roll bars.A few surprises: None of the Octavias have power seating or reversing cameras, even as options.There are, however, two attractive option packages. The Ambition range can get a $1300 'travel pack', which adds 17-inch alloys, rear parking radar, an eight-speaker stereo, front centre armrest and cruise control.Ambition Plus and Elegance owners can opt for the 'technology pack', which comprises bi-xenon lights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and push-button start, a, black frosted foglights, a city emergency braking system, a multi-mode driving system with Sport, Normal, Eco and Individual modes, front parking sensors, a 10-speaker German Canton sound system with digital equalizer and a self-parking system. It costs $3900 for the Ambition Plus and $3300 for the Elegance.All Octavia models come with a capped price servicing program offering six years of servicing at 12-month or 15,000km intervals.INSIDEThere's a lot of cabin room, likewise the boot, which has 568-litres of space and 1568 with the back seats folded flat. Also, it has a reversible floor, six tie-down hooks and a system to stop things flying about if you get a bit enthusiastic behind the wheel. Good seating, easy-to-read and comprehensive instrumentation and good visibility.SAFETYOctavia has a five-star crash safety rating.  In addition to the ABC of electronic driver aids, all models get a system called MCB which detects an impending collision and responds by applying the anchors to either avoid the crash or at least reduce the impact. Models with the technology pack also get City Emergency Braking which works at sub-30km/h to avoid whacking into whatever.DRIVINGWe got runs in all three engine versions in some fine Victorian countryside with a fair amount of twisty bits. We didn't think the 1.4-litre motor would be much chop in such a big car, but it punched well above its weight and provided some joyous moments behind the wheel. Shows what a shot of Red Bull and a visit to Jenny Craig can do.The diesel was fine too, big on torque. The car, and wagon, are simply great to drive: confident, decent steering and brakes and the six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG were smooth, quick and precise.Quiet inside too, and nobody would know which motor was under the bonnet. What was noticeable was the hard ride in the Elegance, a penalty that comes from the low (40-section) profile tyres on the 18-inch alloys. In all, a very good driving experience.VERDICTThe Octavia makes more sense than ever.  It may look conservative, but there's an eager terrier under that hood. We'd go for the 103kW mid-sped Ambition Plus and maybe add the techno pack. But any model is a leader in terms of what you get for your dollar.2014 Skoda Octavia Price: from $21,690 (Ambition manual sedan)Engine: 1.4L four-cylinder petrol turbo, 103kW/250NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG, FWDThirst: 5.2L/100km, 121g/km CO2

Let's be honest the new Skoda Octavia is not all about style, it's about space.