Skoda Octavia Estate
Can this practical, functional model compete with its arguably more stylish rivals? MODEL TESTED: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI SE Technology PRICE: £21,790 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 113bhp
SPACIOUS, sensible and great value, the Skoda Octavia Estate has always been a rational and reasonable car. However, this facelift aims to inject a bit of showroom shine, with refreshed looks, updated infotainment and revised engines leading the way.
There are numerous trim variations to choose from, but here we sample what’s expected to be the most popular combination of SE Technology trim and 1.6-litre TDI, which weighs in at £21,790.
DESIGN & ENGINEERING
AS with the closely related and recently revised VW Golf and SEAT Leon, the Octavia’s updates have been kept to a minimum – although they’re easier to spot than on the Golf. The biggest change is at the front, with a more imposing grille and a new four-headlamp layout.
Under the skin you’ll discover the same versatile MQB platform that’s used in the Golf. Light and strong, the scalable underpinnings enabled Skoda to deliver a car that’s both lighter and larger than its rivals here. Suspension is typical for the class, with struts at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam rear axle; a multi-link set-up is also available, but only on models fitted with four-wheel drive.
The Skoda shares its 1.6-litre TDI with the Golf, but power has been boosted from 108bhp to 113bhp. It’s transversely mounted and drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. A seven-speed DSG costs £1, 250. For a six-speed manual you’ll have to upgrade to a 2.0-litre TDI.
Inside, the Octavia remains largely as before, which means function rather than flair. The cabin is well laid out and robustly built, but it isn’t as attractive as the Renault’s, while the use of lowergrade materials means it can’t match the VW for premium appeal. The only real change is the adoption of a slick looking infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen. Still, our SE Technology model comes with all the kit you’ll need, including sat-nav, climate control and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
DRIVING
WHILE there have been some changes inside and out, the Octavia feels remarkably similar to its predecessor on the move. That’s no bad thing – the Skoda is a capable family car that effortlessly mixes decent performance with strong economy.
The 1.6-litre TDI has been given more power, but it retains the same 250Nm torque output and the familiar clatter at idle. Try to accelerate in a high gear from low revs and it gets uncomfortably boomy, but beyond 1,800rpm it smooths out and is no more intrusive than it is in the Golf.
Thanks to its relatively low kerbweight, the Skoda set the pace during our 0-60mph sprint, needing a respectable 10.0 seconds, which was nine-tenths up on the Renault. And while it couldn’t match the six-speed Renault during our in-gear tests, it had the measure of the Golf in third, fourth and fifth gears.
In the real world, the Skoda feels brisk enough, and has no problem keeping up with faster-moving traffic. Peak torque is delivered at just 1,500rpm, and combines with the well-chosen gear ratios and snappy shift action to make it easy to keep the engine on the boil.
As with other cars in the MQB family, the Octavia benefits from crisp and composed handling. The steering is naturally weighted, there’s bags of grip, and body control is excellent – meaning you can carry speed through corners with confidence.
PRACTICALITY
THE old Octavia Estate led the space race in this class, and this revised is no exception. It’s the longest model here, and its 610-litre load bay is the largest. The Skoda extends its advantage when you fold the rear bench, as the capacity increases to a cavernous 1,740kg, which is 140 litres more than the Golf.
However, you don’t get a totally flat floor with the seats folded; you’ll need to invest in the £150 variable-height floor. But there are a number of neat touches, such as the four sturdy shopping bag hooks, cubbies behind the wheelarches and a 12V power supply. Passengers are treated equally well, with the Skoda getting around 50mm more legroom than in either rival here, while up front the driver will have no trouble getting comfortable.
OWNERSHIP
SKODA has been a star of our Driver Power survey for a number of years, and its third-place finish in 2016 is proof that it still delivers. However, the increased popularity of the brand has stretched its dealers, which slumped to a disappointing 13th place in the same poll.
Euro NCAP awarded the Octavia a five-star crash test rating in 2013, and it should retain that score today. All versions get seven airbags and stability control, while SE Technology and above get autonomous emergency braking. This model and the L&K flagship also have adaptive cruise control.
RUNNING COSTS
AT £21,790, the Skoda is the cheapest to buy, yet you get more standard kit than on the VW. This keeps costs down for company car drivers, so lower-rate earners will only pay a little more tax than for the Renault, despite the Skoda’s much higher CO2 emissions of 106g/km.
Predicted residuals of 39. 2 per cent mean private buyers don’t fare quite as well as VW owners, but Skoda’s two-year pre-paid servicing pack is a fraction cheaper, plus you get a year’s extra roadside assistance. We also averaged an excellent 57.5mpg.