68 Plate | 2018 Skoda Octavia Review
Published Date: 9th Aug 2018
In a new car market that is swelling with an ever-increasing number of SUV and Crossover vehicles the Skoda Octavia offers a more traditional option.
The Octavia offers a range of models, options and engines making it equally impressive as a family car or business vehicle and for those that are looking for performance, the sporty vRS is an impressive option.
The days of a Skoda badge having a stigma attached to it are in the past and the Octavia is one of their flagship models and an example of how far Skoda have come.
The Skoda Octavia at first glance looks like a saloon but it is in fact a hatchback, indeed it is underpinned with the same platform as the VW Golf with which it competes with alongside other vehicles like the Ford Focus. So you might be surprised to hear that despite its price point and the fact that it shares the same platforms as the VW Golf it actually competes admirably with the Ford Mondeo for cabin and boot space.
The Octavia hatchback has received plenty of plaudits in the motor industry including What Car’s ‘Family Car of the Year 2018’ and it has received the highest accolade of ‘Car of the Year 2018’ at the Auto Trader Awards.
Read on for more details about the impressive Skoda Octavia ….
68 Plate | 2018 Skoda Octavia Exterior
The Octavia is more about features, value for money and practicality than being than being the best-looking car on the block. Having said that you still get a smart looking hatchback that resembles a saloon somewhat. From the front is probably the most impressive angle with the Octavia’s stong, looking angular grille and muscular front bumper. If you plump for the sporty vRS model you’ll get an impressive, strong looking vehicle with the additional vRS sports styling, rear spoiler etc.
68 Plate | 2018 Skoda Octavia Interior
Quite possibly the secret to the success of the Octavia Hatch is its wide appeal, it’s something of a chameleon. Its built on the same underpinnings and shares a lot of similarities with the VW Golf and on paper it’s a direct competitor for medium sized hatchbacks like the VW Golf, Ford Focus and Seat Leon (the latter also has the same underpinnings as the VW Golf). On first impression it looks like a decent sized family saloon when it on fact it is hatch and then get inside one or open up the boot and you have a car that is a cheaper, yet a worthy alterative to the Ford Mondeo.
The dashboard is smart, organised and ergonomics are excellent, seats are also comfortable and offer good support, the end result is a smooth ride especially cruising on the motorway.
The centre-piece is an 8-inch infotainment system (9 inch on top models) with DAB radio and Smartlink which offers support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and smartphone screen mirroring. Move up the range and you get additional features like sat nav.
68 Plate | 2018 Octavia Octavia Engine Range
You get two petrol options a 1.0 TSi and a 1.4 TSi, the 1.0 is something of a pleasant surprise and performs admirably with official figures offering a best 0-62mph at a fraction under 10 seconds, CO2 emissions at 110g/km and fuel economy at 58mpg (combined). The 1.4 petrol can take you from 0-62mph in a fairly brisk 8.1 seconds, fuel economy figures are 54mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions are 121g/km. Both petrol units are available with the option of DSG transmission.
Diesel options are a 1.6 TDi and 2.0 TDi. The 1.6 diesel offer low running costs with a fuel economy of 68mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions of 106g/km, 0-62mph is a respectable 10.1 seconds. The 2.0 diesel achieves a brisker 0-62mph of 8.4 seconds whilst still keep running costs pretty low; 65mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions at 110g/km.
The sporty vRS comes with the option of either a 2.0 TSi or 2.0 TDi, the faster 245bhp petrol model can take you from 0-62mph in around 6.6 seconds and has a top speed 155mph whilst the diesel achieves 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds.
There is also a 4x4 option available with some diesel models (DSG transmission only).
68 Plate | 2018 Skoda Octavia Models
The model range offers plenty of choice, consisting of the entry-level Octavia S model that comes with as standard 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors, halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights. Inside there’s an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio/Smartlink/Bluetooth and SDCard/USB/AUX inputs, manual air con with pollen filter, front electric windows and leather steering wheel.
Move up to the Octavia SE model and you get a generous upgrade of equipment with the addition of front fog lights, rear electric windows, rear parking sensor, voice control, driver fatigue sensor, dual zone air con and selectable drive modes (eco/comfort/sport/custom).
Next in the line-up is the Octavia SE L model - additions to the SE model include; 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights, front fog lights, part leather interior and sat nav.
Next up the Octavia SE Technology model, it additions to the SE L model include automatic headlights, adaptive cruise control, proximity sensors and stop/start.
The Laurin + Klement model offers the addition of lane assist, park assist, rear privacy glass, Canton sound system and various interior and exterior styling enhancements including black piano inserts (interior), chrome window and bumper trim and high-gloss black front grille.
The Otavia vRS is Skoda’s impressive sporty hot hatch version of the Octavia, featuring unique vRS badging and styling including a strong black diffuser element, rear spoiler and lowered sports suspension. It also features moulded sports seats, vRS embossed door sill trims and stainless-steel foot pedals.
You can compare a full range of Skoda Octavia models, prices and discounts here.