Road Test: Skoda Octavia

Review by Feann Torr - 20/March/2009

When we first tested the Skoda Octavia in 2007, John Howard was the Prime minister of Australia and rising petrol prices were regularly making headlines.

How times change.

The road test in question began with a joke about Skoda cars being slow, unreliable vehicles but only a foolhardy individual would make those same jokes today.

For those who were unaware, Skoda is a Czech car company. It was acquired by the world's third largest automaker in the year 2000, the Volkswagen Group, and has grown rapidly as a result.

The European car maker has well and truly left its blemished past behind and rebuilt its reputation, evidenced in cars like the Octavia.

It's true that the Skoda brand is still finding its feet in Australia and awareness of the Czech car maker is not as widespread as parent company Volkswagen would like.

But with a fresh new look, a high tech 7-speed twin clutch gearbox, turbocharged engines and a new pricing structure that starts at $26,990, the new Octavia does its own marketing.

In tough financial times, the Skoda Octavia in an enviable position: it's a well-equipped European import with high levels of safety that won't leave a hole in your pocket.

It's drives smoothly, has a range of fuel efficient but spirited engines and is equipped with industry-leading technology, not least of which is a new 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

However, the most obvious change to the new 2009 Octavia is the exterior and interior design.

With this new aesthetic comes a fresh new attitude and though the car retains much of its predecessors underpinnings, it looks and feels new.

While the 2007 model Octavia couldn't be accused of being a mediocre car (in fact we really liked it, read our first road test for an idea), the cars image was somewhat austere.

The exterior design of the 2007 car was best described as safe - a little too safe according to some readers - but the new model addresses these issues with a more contemporary style.

It's still got the quintessential Skoda look but now there's more flair, especially in the swept up headlight design which is one of the first areas to draw the eye.

Along with a new grille and bumper design, the front end of the Skoda Octavia has more charisma than its precursor.

The rear end design of the Octavia has also been massaged into a slightly new form, incorporating a new bumper and brake light lenses. All models come with alloy wheels - no plastic hub-caps for this charming Czech.

Entry-level 1.6-litre petrol models come with 15-inch alloy wheels and the 1.8-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel models get 16-inch alloys.

On the top of the model range, there are now three models. The 2.0-litre TDI and 1.8-litre TSI variants have been retained and are the pick of the group, but a new 1.6-litre budget model has been added, priced from $26,990.

The mid-sized Czech car comes in liftback and wagon body styles. The prices listed below are for the liftback model. The wagon variants command a $2,000 premium.

Skoda Octavia Prices:

 1.6 Manual: $26,990
1.6 Auto: $29,290
1.8 TSI Manual: $31,490
1.8 TSI DSG Auto: $33,790
 2.0 TDI Manual: $33,990
2.0 TDI DSG Auto: $36,290

Like the refreshed exterior design the interiors also benefit from a makeover.

A compact and neatly laid out centre console with easy-to-use, stylish heating and cooling controls give the interior a remarkably elegant look, and with a white speedometer and tachometer instrument display replacing the dated green dials, the cabin conveys a relaxed, easygoing ambiance.

All models except the 1.6-litre Octavia get a centrally mounted colour touch-screen display, which is very nice addition that usually comes at a cost.

It's the kind of car that after a long and stressful week at work, you can climb into and feel the tension fade away. The ergonomics are very good, everything's within easy reach, is clearly labelled. It's an effortless car to drive, especially the automatic version, and very comfortable too.

Combined with a 4-spoke steering wheel and nicely contoured and well-cushioned front seats, not to mention quality soft-touch dash plastics and above average levels of fit and finish, the Octavia looks and feels like a premium car.

The mid-sized Skoda Octavia competes at both ends of the medium car spectrum: it rivals the likes of the Mazda6 and Honda Accord Euro, but can also lock horns with the Alfa Romeo 156 and Peugeot 407 thanks to its top quality range of petrol and diesel engines and extensive standard features list.

Boasting electric windows, mirrors and door locks plus remote central locking, an 8-speaker CD stereo with MP3 or audio player input jack, cruise control, multi-function trip computer, alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls and height adjustable front seats as standard, the Octavia doesn't mess around.

Safety systems include everything you'd expect on a Euro import, including six airbags covering front and rear passengers, an electronic stabilisation program (ESP) to keep the car on the straight and narrow and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution to stop the car safely.

Power is delivered to the front wheels via three different engines, including the newly introduced (but low-tech single camshaft) entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine.

We didn't get a chance to drive the 1.6-litre 75kW model, but the 1.8-litre turbocharged 'TSI' petrol engine is an absolute gem and starts at $31,490, and the diesel engine is as frugal as it is powerful. 

The 118 kilowatt 1.8-litre TSI is the same motor that powers Audi's highly regarded A4 and it provides the Octavia with a refined character andeffortless motivation while having an average fuel consumption figure of just 6.7L/100km (claimed), which is very low for a car of this size and power output.

"Skoda has a great story"

If you tick the box for the automatic transmission, you'll also get one of the most advanced twin clutch gearboxes on the planet, a 7-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox).

This gearbox shifts so quickly and seamlessly it gives the Octavia TSI models a distinctly sporty flavour, but if you don't like the idea of a turbo petrol engine the 6-speed diesel offerings are almost as good.

I personally preferred the 1.8-litre TSI model, but the 2.0-litre TDI turbo diesel variants are nevertheless excellent motivators and ideal for towing.

Either 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG automatic gearboxes are available with the diesel and though the automatic is excellent, arguably the best in its class, for mine the manual was a more involving drive.

With smooth, rewarding actions between shifts - the kind that make you want to just keep changing gear for the sheer pleasure of it - the manual transmission works in perfect harmony with the rorty 320Nm diesel engine, so much so that it gives the car an impressive turn of speed. Let's just say that overtaking manoeuvres are very enjoyable.

Unlike a lot of diesel engines, this plucky unit doesn't mind being revved. Though its sweet spot is at around 2500rpm, it'll happily spin up to 3500rpm without running out of breath, which allows you to really explore the dynamics of the chassis. 

At the other end of the scale, if you drive smoothly and consistently, Skoda's diesel-powered Octavia will sip an average of just 5.7 litres of fuel per 100km travelled (claimed). That's a whole litre per 100km better than the 1.5-litre ultra compact Toyota Yaris!

Skoda expects the 2.0-litre TDI diesel model to be the most popular model in the range, but I still reckon the 1.8-litre TSI is the best of the bunch.

It's a revvy-little unit and you can feel the turbocharger really boosting the engine output as you coax the Octavia through sweeping corners on three-quarter throttles, and if you decide to pick up the pace the car won't protest too much.

The Octavia's body does roll onto its outside wheels through tighter corners and the steering sometimes feels a little over assisted (which works to its favour in urban environments), but overall the chassis is fairly well sorted and won't fall apart if you throw it into corners. There is a sports suspension option that also comes with larger 17-inch wheels, but sadly we didn't get to test this option.

While there is a touch of body roll, the Octavia's suspension is impressively compliant at both high and low speeds.

Whether you're in the city, driving through road works at 30km/h, or powering through a corner at 90km/h on the open road, bumps or pot holes in the road surface rarely upset the cars handling. It just soaks them up and keeps you pointed where you want to be going.

Skoda's suspension boffins have done a great job; the rebound and compression damping rates are spot on.

As well as transporting driver and passengers  in a comfortable fashion on all but the worst of road surfaces, the brakes are more than adequate. 

Measuring 288mm at the front and 260mm at the rear, the disc brakes complement the extensive safety equipment, delivering decent stopping power and good pedal feel when you need to decelerate in a hurry.

The choice between wagon and liftback models will increase the Octavia's appeal for family buyers and though the back seat isn't the roomiest in its class, there's more than enough space for three kids in the back, while four adults can cruise in comfort during shorter trips without feeling too cramped.

To sum up, the Octavia barely puts a foot wrong.

It's a very predictable car to drive, which is very reassuring and is backed up by a comprehensive safety suite. The Octavia does lack a bit of character, but sports car buyers are not the target market for this vehicle. And the other side of this coin is that it's an effortless car to drive.

Overall: 4/5

The new exterior design, the impressively appointed cabin, the efficient engines and additions such as the new 7-speed automatic gearbox make the new Skoda Octavia a very tempting proposition.

This car is a real bargain and in the current economic climate it could do very well for itself. 

Te Octavia offers everything you'd expect of a premium European import yet without the elitist price. But just because the car is winner, doesn't mean it'll finish in first place.

Informed, well-researched buyers will be aware of the excellent value on offer here, but the question for Skoda is how it will go about communicating this positive message to a greater number of Australian drivers.

There are still some drivers who, if asked what a Skoda is, will answer "a tangy beverage".

The impressive Octavia is on sale now, to be joined by the Skoda Superb large car half way through 2009, and despite some troubled times in the past Skoda has a great story for those willing to listen.