Skoda Octavia - One Of The Roomiest Cars In Its Class

Golf + space – cash = the mainstay of Skoda’s line-up. Can this new generation of Octavia fit into the sensible shoes of previous ones?

This is the car Skoda won’t get wrong. Not that we can think of much it’s ballsed up in the past few years, come to think of it, with the possible exception of the underwhelming Rapid, oh, and the definite exception of the wheeled embarrassment that is the Roomster. Anyway, back to where we came in. it won’t be fluffed because the Octavia is Skoda’s centerpiece; it defines the company and its ethos, to the extent that every other Skoda, from the Yeti to the superb (and yes, even the Roomster), is informed by the Octavia.

The Skoda Octavia has always been one of the roomiest cars in its class

Back in 1996 (wow, is it really 17 years ago?) the first Octavia sealed the Skoda proposition in one neat package: take a VW Golf, add space, add value, lose what must be lost, but make it dependable and honest and straightforward, and give it an everyman appeal. I reckon they have original Octavias parked around Skoda HQ, both as reminder and inspiration.

So here’s the third generation. It uses the same MQB platform as the latest Golf, but has grown substantially: 90mm longer and 45mm wider than before. Arguably more important than either of those figures is the wheelbase, which is up 108mm, promising benefits to ride quality and rear legroom (one of the second-gen Octavia’s few weak points). It also claims to be up to 100kg lighter now and to offer at least $5,520 of added value compared to the old car.

There are three trim levels (S, SE, Elegance) and four engines (1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol and 1.6 and 2.0 TDI S. It costs $23,985, which is a chunk more than the $21,045 the outgoing equivalent costs, but is on a par with Boggo Ford Focuses, Vauxhall Astra, Hyundai i30s, etc.

Although Octavia looks like a saloon, it’s actually a hatch

And it’s thoroughly pleasant. Crisper to look at and drive, far better kitted out inside and equipped with a mighty 590-litre boot that extends to 1,580 liters with the seats folded. The biggest gain is in rear legroom, and although it is possible to spot corner-cutting (the plastic molded console between the front seats is a good example), it’s been done in an acceptable way and, besides, you’re too distracted by the standard climate control, Bluetooth, DAB radio and touchscreen audio to care much.

Control system

What it doesn’t have is the Golf’s final polish. There’s a fraction more road noise and the ride isn’t quite as plush, but otherwise it’s not bad at all. Throttle responses may not be up to much, but with a kerb weight of just 1,155kg, the little 1.2 turbo doesn’t have to work too hard to shift the Octavia around. Just as well, given that the 4cyl tightens at the top end and is short on charisma.

It’s not a joy to drive, but the controls are faithful, the steering accurate and the road manners benignly Undermanding. The overall experience exudes a calm pleasantness that’s really rather endearing. It’s a sensible, affordable, versatile and superbly executed car, this. Skoda doing what it does best.

The overall experience exudes a calm pleasantness that’s really rather endearing. It’s a sensible, affordable, versatile and superbly executed car, this. Skoda doing what it does best.