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Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI road test report

2.0 TDI

Skoda has quietly become one of the jewels in the Volkswagen Group crown over the last decade. Whereas once it was the butt of cruel jokes, it’s now a manufacturer of reliable, practical cars that are proving popular with those in the know. The Octavia has been one of the cars that have enhanced Skoda’s reputation since its launch 13 years’ ago. Based on the same platform as a Volkswagen Golf, but with a little extra room built in, it’s now been revised with some cosmetic changes to the exterior, an updated cabin and some new engines.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI

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CRAIGT SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

The Octavia we tested was fitted with the four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI PD diesel unit developing 138bhp and 236lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged unit is one of the most popular in the Octavia range, thanks in part to its pulling power low-down in the rev range (peak torque is achieved at just 1,750rpm) and a mid-range that has plenty of urge to allow comfortable overtaking at motorway speeds. A 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds is entirely believable: it’s not exactly rapid but there’s enough pace for most drivers’ real-world needs. However, this pumpe duse engine isn’t as refined as the latest common-rail diesels now being used in VW Group cars in general, and in the Skoda Superb in particular. It’s a lot more agricultural in its nature and has a tendency to clatteriness, especially when starting up from cold. The six-speed manual transmission, though, is an effective gearbox, providing quick and decisive changes.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

The Octavia’s reputation partly rests on the fact that it is a well set-up car, with a ride and handling package that finds favour with almost all who drive it. The ride is the element that takes the lead, the Octavia offering a supremely comfortable experience for its occupants. The reason for this can be put down to the fact that the Czech roads that Skodas are developed on have surfaces of a similar standard to those in the UK (ie pretty poor). The ride quality is therefore particularly well tuned for British roads and soaks up most of the imperfections, ruts and potholes that it is likely to encounter. The handling, while not perhaps on a par with the Focus or Golf, is still pretty accomplished. Body roll isn’t too intrusive for a car with such a comfortable ride and, although there’s a degree of understeer, it’s easy to control through prudent use of the throttle pedal.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

The Skoda Octavia has an excellent reputation for quality, which has resulted in it coming top of its class in the most recent JD Power customer satisfaction survey, even beating models from traditionally strong brands such as Honda and Toyota. Engines and transmissions are highly reliable, with very few reports of breakdowns. The only reported issues tend to be minor problems with the cabin and interior, but this revised model should address those, as the standards are very high, seeming to take a leaf out of the books of its VW Group sister companies, Audi and Volkswagen. There is new trim throughout the Octavia’s cabin, with upgrades on every model in the Octavia’s line-up, plus redesigned seats with improved upholstery fabrics. The high standards of perceived quality are extended to the Octavia’s exterior, which has consistent shutlines and panel gaps across the bodywork.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 4 stars

Skoda performs adequately in crash tests, with a four-star result from Euro NCAP for the current model. That might not sound that impressive considering the number of five-star results among more recent car launches, but the model is now five years old, and the safety game has moved on somewhat. That said, the Octavia still comes with a raft of active and passive safety equipment, including four airbags as standard (curtain ‘bags are standard on the top-trim Laurin & Klement, or as an option elsewhere), seatbelt pre-tensioners, anti-whiplash headrests and xenon headlights with an adaptive system that adjusts the beam according to different driving circumstances. In addition, all Octavias are fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes, MST engine drag control, ASR skid control and MBA (mechanical brake assist). Also available as an option is ESP stability control. For security purposes, all Octavias come with an alarm and immobiliser fitted as standard.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 5 stars

The Octavia is built on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf, but in line with all models in the Skoda line-up, it offers more space than rivals in its class, with the rear particularly spacious for a car in the small family car segment. The boot is equally spacious, with a capacity of 560 litres (1,455 litres with the seats down): this compares very favourably with the 385/1,247 litres of the Ford Focus or the 350/1,305 litres of the Volkswagen Golf. The upgrades to the cabin also enhance the Octavia’s practicality, with new-look instruments that have improved visibility thanks to white LEDs standing out against the black background. The storage has also been improved, with additions such as a cooled Jumbo Box in the armrest between the two front seats. Best of all is the new practical and easy-to-use touchscreen display for the sat nav and infotainment functions, which helps minimise the number of buttons on the dashboard.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

This Octavia model, with its 2.0-litre diesel engine, is an engaging ownership proposition, with an official fuel consumption figure of 51.4mpg on the combined cycle. CO2 emissions of 145g/km aren’t that great compared to many more modern diesel-powered cars, though. The CO2 figure also means that road tax will cost you £125 a year: reasonable, but not that cheap. However, the Octavia’s record for reliability should mean infrequent trips to the garage and, when you do have to go, servicing is relatively inexpensive. Aftercare at dealers is also a positive aspect of Octavia ownership: staff at dealerships are reported to be helpful staff and any work you need done is usually completed on time. Residuals are also pretty strong when you come to sell your Octavia. After three years or 36,000 miles, used car experts expect it to hold on to around 39-43% of its value.

Submitted: 17/11/2009 09:50:10

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