We recently had the chance to take the new Skoda Octavia out for a test drive. We must admit that we were eager to drive this new model as many motoring bodies spoke highly about it. We drove the 1.6-litre TDI DSG Elegance in Brilliant Silver metallic.
EXTERIOR: The new Octavia has loads in common with its siblings in the Skoda range yet it reminds us of some other cars. The headlights have the same sharp lines of an Audi A4, the C-shaped rear lights, one of our favourite details, reminisce of an Audi A6. The profile has a sporty edge particularly enhanced by the line of the rear doors which are inspired by an aircraft's tail fin, to us it resembles a lot to a Lexus IS. The result is a smart and elegant car which oozes quality from every angle. Our test car was a top spec Elegance which comes with classy 'Teron' 17" alloy wheels as standard. The result is a sportier and more dynamic car than its predecessor.
INTERIOR: The first thing that comes to mind is the word comfortable, we drove an Audi A7 a while back and the Octavia appeared just as spacious. The dashboard on the Elegance trim comes with the Amundsen Sat-Nav as standard. The centre console is similar to the one in the VW Passat and we could be easily driving one because this latest Octavia's interior is an excellent example of thought-through ergonomics. The instruments are Audi-clear and the proximity sensors on the touchscreen (a system which detects when your hands are near it and it brings up the function buttons ready to be used) are a very clever use of current technology. The seats are comfortable and the backrest is similar to the S-Line Audis. The boot is enormous, just ten litres smaller than a Passat estate.
DRIVING: We tested the 1.6-litre TDI with the DSG automatic gearbox. We drove the new VW Golf with the same engine but with a manual 5-speed gearbox and we prefer the DSG to the manual box. It never keeps the low gears for too long and therefore the engine noise is always subdued. As a result of the weight saving therapy, the DSG makes the most of the engine's modest but punchy 250Nm of torque, it enhances the engine flexibility with full torque available from a low 1500rpm. The Octavia has excellent road manners with limited body roll and a good capability to iron out poor tarmac roads without ever compromising the passenger's comfort.
PRICES: The new Octavia's prices start from £15,990 for the 1.2-litre petrol in S trim. Our 1.6 TDI Elegance is available at £21,090 in 5-speed manual or £22,340 in DSG version. We would strongly advise to upgrade to the DSG gearbox. The new Octavia is available in 12 different colours, our combination choice would be a Black Magic pearl effect paintwork at £495 and a set of £350 (bargain!) 18" Golus alloy wheels and this car would easily look 10 grand more expensive. The new Octavia has often been compared to the likes of Golf, Astra or Focus but we urge to remind you that it's closer in size to a VW Passat and it has the rear hatch as a secret weapon of practicality amongst the other similar size saloons.
VERDICT: We collected our test car from the Benfield Skoda in Newcastle where the staff shown a huge pride for the new Octavia as if it was a close relative. This Elegance trim is so well equipped that it would be irrelevant to have a 'Laurin & Klement' trim level which once represented the top of the range Skodas. We closely looked for some niggle but we struggle to criticise the new Skoda Octavia in any particular area. This new Skoda has clearly been built to satisfy a wide range of people and their motoring needs from the value-wise families to the company reps, from the taxi driver to the person that will genuinely buy a Skoda because nowadays they are beautifully made cars which in the right spec and colour could be easily mistaken for a much more expensive car. No wonder the staff at the Skoda dealership looked so proud, they surely have an easy job at selling this new Octavia. MG
Our test car was kindly provided by Benfield Skoda in Newcastle.
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