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Family hatchbacks don’t come much larger or more sensible than the Skoda Octavia, which rules the roost for passenger and boot space for cars around this price point - Skoda offers an estate version of the Octavia, but even the hatchback has greater luggage capacity than some rivals’ estates.
It’s a good looking car these days too, inside and out, with a quality feel, a reputation for reliability, and a strong lineup of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines. There’s even a performance vRS model to add a dash of excitement, though we’ve covered this model elsewhere - below you’ll find more information on the standard Octavia range.
Space is the name of the Octavia’s game. It’s always been a larger car than the Volkswagen Golf it’s closely related to, and just like its predecessors, the latest Octavia is one of the more spacious vehicles in this class, with a boot that at 600 litres is nearly twice the size of some models in this segment. Based on that alone, it’s no wonder Octavias are so popular with private hire and Uber drivers.
Skoda still means value for money too, even if the brand’s cars are no longer bargain-basement. You’ll find much the same kit here as you will in the Octavia’s rivals, though Skoda adds its own ‘Simply Clever’ touches to its cars which go beyond simply fancy electronics or trim materials - things like ice scrapers in the fuel filler door, parking ticket holders, and reversible boot floor mats.
The cabin has a modern and surprisingly upmarket feel that’s replicated in the way the Octavia drives - it’s a safe, competent and fairly responsive handler, but the Octavia’s real qualities are refinement and ride comfort. If we’ve one reservation it’s with how many minor functions have to be controlled through the large 10-inch touchscreen, but as an owner, you do get used to it.
The Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and SEAT and Cupra Leon models are all closely related to the Octavia, with varying levels of space, quality, and style, and all offer a similar engine lineup, but at slightly different price points. The latest Honda Civic is another large hatchback in this class, and while its boot isn’t as big, it feels just as grown up as the Octavia but even better to drive. While no longer offered new, the Hyundai i30 Fastback is another alternative.
Spend your life on the motorway? The diesel models still make a lot of sense in the Octavia, with some pretty remarkable economy figures possible from these latest units. There’s enough torque to get around without much effort and tall gearing means they’re pretty quiet at motorway speeds too. The 1.5-litre TSI petrol is a good alternative if you’re not a high-miles driver, for its brisk performance and smooth power delivery. The plug-in model makes more sense for new buyers thanks to the tax advantages - though urban drivers may appreciate the 40-ish miles of EV range. We’d not go overboard on spec, since all Octavias are well-equipped, but the SE L does feel quite upmarket, so it’s worth a stretch if you’ve got the budget.
The Skoda Octavia’s dimensions are:
The Skoda Ocatavia’s boot size is:
The standard petrol and diesel Octavias currently get a £190 annual VED bill, while hybrid models are £10 cheaper. There’s no expensive vehicle surcharge either, since even if the original owner ticked a few option boxes on the most expensive model in the range, they’d struggle to have got the list price over £40,000.
The Octavia range starts in insurance group 12, for an SE model with the 1-litre TSI petrol. Opt for the 1.5 TSI and that jumps to group 18, while the plug-in hybrid sits in group 22. All of these are pretty standard for the class, and insurance shouldn’t be too painful as a result.
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What is the average mileage for Skoda Octavia ?
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How many Skoda Octavia cars are available for sale?
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