I've had an Octavia hatchback a month, same trim level and engine... and you know what? What you say is absolutely bob on. That's my experience too. An unfussy, well composed, easy to live with car that moves people and stuff around with aplomb. For a good price. I'm quite happy.
just ordered mine 1.5L dsg mild hybrid. doing the same job, in vidéo production, had a big chill when i saw the trunk filled with Apputure light. thanks for making me happy of my choice :D
I've had 2 Octavia Estates, a Mk 1 and a Mk 2. Both were diesels. The Mk 2, with the 140 bhp 2.0 litre diesel was an excellent motorway cruiser with it's 6 speed gearbox. As you rightly pointed out, very practical, roomy and nice to drive. One of the things that did it for me is the fact that the Octavia is an "in between" car. It's larger and roomier than a Golf or Focus, yet smaller than the Mondeo/Passat class. A friend of mine had the same spec car as you, but with the DSG auto box. It was really quiet and smooth on longer trips.
Nice review. I had £50k to spend on a car 8 years ago. After a lot of thinking (resulting from far too much choice) I worked out that the VRS hatchback was the perfect car for me, so got the car and kept half the cash. It’s been the best car ever. Still running it now. A change in lifestyle means an estate would be a more versatile option nowadays, but that is the only thing I would change. Did you see that article recently that reckoned Skoda drivers had the highest average IQ? 😁😉
I did see that! Clever people buy clever cars! 😎😁 nice one, yep - tested out the hatch a fair bit as well, Really lovely car, only real difference is the slight extra height in the boot. Interestingly though, the hatch actually has a bigger opening to the boot than the estate. Pros and cons…!
It's called reverse snobbery. You pay a bit less, but you end up with a car that's every bit as good, if not better than some others. I've thought for a while that Skoda build quality actually seems superior to VW's now...... However, the old Skoda perceptions are still out there. When I had my Skodas, I was once asked "it is really screwed together right?"
Thank you Stephen, a very practical and straightforward review. I have been torn between the Superb and the Octavia, but after watching your review and a few others, there is no point, for me anyway, in paying more for the Superb. I am going for a 2 year old, low mileage diesel, 2.0 SEL 150 Octavia estate. Thanks again.👍👍
good review, well done. nice to see someone say something about how wide the boot is and usable space rather than just meaningless litreage. Good to know you can get rear view cameras though these are not mentioned currently on the website, maybe the current chip shortages. No PHEVS being made either
Thanks! Yeah... since this video i've tried contacting Skoda about installing a rear-view camera, and they're currently only available as factory-fitted options when speccing a new car, and chip shortages might be affecting all that!
Good review, tis a great car, especially the 1.5 tsi se l, you will want for nothing more. Shame the video was out of focus in a couple of shots and the highlights blown out 🤣🤣🤣
Great review! Last week I purchased a 2019 VRS Estate to replace my C Class Estate as my puppy had out grown it! The boot height is what decided it as we didn't want an SUV. The driving experience is amazing and the fuel economy is as good as the Merc diesel auto. The LED headlights are outstanding and I like it's Q Car looks. Only downside is the standard spec is a bit low, front parking sensors, power fold mirrors and heated front seats would have been perfect.
Oh cool! They’re great cars, especially for the low(ish) price tag. Yeah, think the cars are definitely lower specced than the equivalent cars from more premium brands, but it’s just such a good deal! Enjoy the VRS
Thanks the driver involvement out weights the spec! I've had many SAAB's and I think they are very similar. Would you consider doing some update videos on running costs etc?
Cornish Rider. You can have front parking sensors fitted. Try looking at Dolphin Parking Sensors. They have a team of mobile fitters who can fit front or rear (or both) parking sensors, along with dashcams and other things, all at your home address. The last time I had some fitted, the cost - all fitted - was around £150 for rear sensors. They can also supply colour coded sensors in manufacturers colours......
I am in the market for a new estate and thank you for making this video. I am also on the market for a good fleece and I really like yours, where did you get it from lol
Hahaha thanks! Maybe I should break out into clothes videos...! I grabbed this in a sale from mountain warehouse in the UK... I know patagonia do similar ones... Enjoy whichever car/fleece you buy!
@@mrstephenwells I'm a self-confessed car nerd so please excuse my interest 🙂 I was thinking long term reliability and durability, servicing costs, Skoda dealer service (if you use them), things you have learned to like/dislike etc. over time.... if you feel inclined to do a video update some day, thank you. 🙂
I've read quite a few test reports of the Golf 8. It doesn't sound too clever to me. VW seem to have cut some corners on the new Golf. I've been convinced for a while now that Skoda build quality is topping VW's.......
If this had a more upright rear (boxy shape) it would probably be my ideal next car. Trouble is that all car makers are going "lifestyle". If only there was a modern equivalent of the Volvo V70, Vauxhall Carlton estate, Ford Granada estate.....
Great review..I’ve have the 2l tdi hatch version which I bought in September 22,my last three trips consisting of rural and motorway driving achieving over 70 mpg without trying..and it gives me a range of well over 600 miles why choose an ev?
I've had an Octavia 2.0 litre Tdi estate Peter. I can't recall getting 70 mpg, but mine was certainly good on fuel. However, it doesn't come close to the running costs of my Kia eNiro. A full charge at home costs me £7 to £8, and does me for a week and a bit. The per mile cost is around 3.5p. I pay 10p per kwh on my Octopus Intelligent tariff. I can manage 1000 miles of town and general driving for £40....... EV servicing costs are way less too. My service last year was £68.
I have exactly the same car, (age and trim level). Purchased second hand a few months ago. Great car.. But the infotainment is a massive problem! Constantly crashing and rebooting, multiple error messages as well on digital display. Seems to be a common issue with "first edition" mk4 Octavia's, I was wondering if you have had any similar issues?
@@mrstephenwells That's interesting! Mine has been back to the dealer 4x since purchasing it in Jan! Due back again soon! TBH the infotainment is a real issue in this car! Looks great and promises a lot but a few mths ago was driving me mad by constantly crashing. Skoda will NOT accept there is any issue, I have a case running with Skoda UK. I even contacted the previous owner who said it was like it since new and the reason he PX'd it! On my last visit to the dealer they have upgraded the software to version 1941- make sure this is done as it has definitely helped - its only crashed once since July but still comes up with a couple of errors on the digital dash every now and gain but no where near as bad as it was..
Superb is slightly bigger in every way, but the car hasn’t been updated as recently as the Octavia has (Think there’s meant to be a new superb coming in the next 12 months) so the Octavia is a more recent design. But yeah, more boot space (slightly), more rear leg room, and a longer overall car.
The Superb is (I think) on the Passat floor-pan and so is larger than the Octavia by a fair margin. The Superb has as much, if not more rear passenger space than a Merc E Class. My neighbour bought a new Superb about 18 months back. It's a really nice car. Electric leather heated seats, the lot. As Stephen says, there is a new Superb in the pipeline....... You could hang back for that Alex, or get a good deal on the current model, possibly by saying you know there's a new one on the way......
Works well , no ! Mine was terminated due to the infotainment probs and other serious safety probs. I had a 70 plate VRS and it was plagued with probs, screen freeze for days, no access to heating , ventilation. Mechanically sound but the software was F-d
@@mrstephenwells Hi , i went for a Hyundai Tucson N line S with 230 bhp in full hybrid. Everything works , v smooth , v high MPG around town up to 70mpg using the electric motor. I did like the VRS and it got a lot of admirers in its meteor grey discontinued colour but the car calling the emergency services on a weekly basis plus the myriad of other software glitches was too much. Always check the software version of yer Octy , if its higher than v 1806 ,you probably are ok.