Skoda packs the value

F SIZE matters then the Skoda Octavia is quids in. Pound for pound no other family car has as much space and it’s a feature which has propelled the Octavia to be Skoda’s top seller in the UK.

The current version – launched as an estate and a hatch four years ago – has notched up more than five million sales worldwide and last year in Britain sales hit 23,000, up two per cent on the previous year.

Now the Octavia is getting even more serious with a significant mid-life makeover that sees a new look inside and out.

A revised grille, a wider front apron, new look four lens headlamp arrangement – with an LED option – and wider rear haunches bring the car bang up to date.

Inside and under the bonnet there are even greater changes. A 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine replaces the previous entry level 1.2-litre models and it’s a sensational performer.

Priced from £17,195 it sees the range going up in price by about £700 on average but the new models come loaded with extra equipment.

Across the five model line up all Octavias now come with alloy wheel, LED tail lights, an electronic differential for better handling and a touchscreen infotainment system that is compatible with all smartphones.

On the safety front there’s also an advanced pedestrian detection system which will apply emergency braking if needed at speeds of between six and 40mph and a post collision stopping device.

It all stacks up to great value for money and even the range topping versions powered by 2.0-litre diesels with DSG semi-automatic gearboxes start from less than £29,000. The estate models, with their gargantuan cargo capacity cost £1,200 more.

In this price bracket the Octavia is serious value for money and it’s a car that punches above its weight in all departments.

From a driving perspective there are no quibbles whatsoever and we have just sampled then new 1.0-litre model as well as some 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels.

Each returned average fuel figures in the high 50s on long country runs and all had plenty of power when required.