Skoda Octavia review (2009 onwards)

What – Skoda Octavia (facelift)
Where – Hertfordshire, UK
Date – March 2009
Price – £11,335-£21,430
Available – Now
Key rivals – Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, SEAT Altea

GALLERY: Skoda Octavia Hatchback
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Summary

Updated version of Skoda's ever dependable Octavia brings a new look, fresh engines and DSG gearboxes.

We like – Rugged dependability, freshened up looks, value for money, downsized 1.4 turbo engine fuel consumption

We don’t like – Choppy ride, facelift can’t hide its age, no standard ESP, non common-rail diesel engines

First impressions

Skoda's no-nonsense Octavia has been facelifted to inject a bit more Superb-style glamour to the otherwise functional looks. And though the blocky, chunky profile remains as unassuming as ever the newly dynamic front end does indeed reflect Skoda's new found confidence, the brand's keen pricing and dependable, unpretentious products perfectly in tune with the times. This extends to the engine range too, this new turbocharged 1.4 TSI replacing the previous normally aspirated 1.6 FSI as part of the general trend to downsizing, both within the Volkswagen group and the industry generally. Inside the new Octavia gets new trim and equipment, including the latest touchscreen infotainment system. Fundamentally it's still a five-year-old design though.

Performance

The most noticeable update comes with the replacement of the 1.6 FSI petrol with a version of the 1.4 TSI turbocharged engine selling like hot cakes in the VW Golf, Audi A3 and others. Here with 122hp and 148lb ft of torque, it represents a big step up from the 115hp and 114lb ft of the outgoing 1.6.0-62 drops from 11.2 seconds to just 9.7, the new seven-speed DSG equalling this time and dramatically faster than the 12.1 seconds of the outgoing six-speed Tiptronic 1.6 FSI. This is a tough, strong little engine with impressive thrust for its capacity. Turbo lag is noticeable but once on the boil it pulls with real vigour.

Ride and handling

Underpinnings donated from the previous Golf mean the Octavia has sophisticated multi-link rear suspension a cut above the torsion beam set-up used many typical hatchbacks in this class. So it's disappointing Skoda hasn't been able to make it ride any better than it does, a lack of damping control meaning harsh rebound out of dips and compressions.It's a bit knobbly the rest of the time too, never really settling and, though ostensibly quite hard, not what you'd describe as sporty either. Could do better in this regard. The rest of the controls are typically Skoda - workmanlike and functional but no more than that. Cohesive and well balanced, it's the quietly competent end of dynamic.

Interior

Although based on Golf underpinnings you'd swear the Octavia is actually from the bigger Passat/Mondeo crowd. Back seat accommodation betrays its roots, most of the extra space coming from the huge boot. At 560 litres it's 20 litres bigger than even the famously capacious Mondeo, making the Octavia a seriously useful load carrier. There are numerous and detailed changes to the interior trim, the basic feel typically Skoda in that material choice and quality takes second place to toughness and dependability. Nothing wrong with that either, this unpretentious functionality being very much in keeping with the Skoda brand ethos.

Our Elegance test car was well equipped too, only flagship luxury Laurin & Klement and sporty vRS models (the latter keeping the existing front end look) getting more. For a base price of £14,560 (£15,645 with DSG) the spec includes a touchscreen radio/CD with MP3 compatibility, dual zone climate control, rear parking sensors and power adjustable mirrors. Options include DVD nav and other goodies like Bluetooth phone connectivity, the systems all very intuitive and adding to the Octavia's sense of user-friendly dependability. Throw in firm, comfortable seats, excellent refinement from the 1.4 TSI engine and clear, logical controls and you have a comfortable place to spend time - likely to go down well with fleet drivers especially.

Economy and safety

The new 1.4 TSI gets a six-speed manual in place of the 1.6 FSI's five-speeder, mpg staying the same at 42.8mpg and CO2 falling slightly from 158g/km to 154g/km. Choose the DSG and the gains are more dramatic, especially compared with the previous Tiptronic. Try 44.8mpg against 37.2mpg and CO2 down to 147g/km from 181g/km. Keenly priced it may be but the fact ESP is a £365 option on all but L&K, vRS, 4x4 and Scout shows where some savings have been made. There are rear ISOFIX mounts and a de-activation switch for the front passenger airbags for family drivers, contributing to the Octavia's four NCAP stars for both adult and child occupants.

The MSN Cars verdict

The size and spec on the Octavia make it a very appealing purchase - you're effectively getting a Mondeo sized car for Focus prices. The punchy, frugal and refined 1.4 TSI engine is a great partner too and better still with the DSG gearbox. Overall it's feeling its age a bit though and the ride is a definite disappointment.

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Engine petrol1.4, 1.4 turbo, 1.8 turbo, 2.0 turbo
Engine diesel1.9, 2.0 (140hp), 2.0 (170hp)
Power bhp80-200
Torque lb ft97-258
0-62 mph secs14.2-7.3
Top speed mph107-149
Mpg combined36.7-57.6
CO2 g/km / Tax %180g/km/24% - 130g/km/17%

Rating (specific model)Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 TSI Elegance
Performance***
Ride and handling***
Interior***
Safety***
Price****
Practicality*****
Fuel economy****
MSN Cars verdict***

Others to consider

Volkswagen Golf
Ford Focus
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Seat Altea