Skoda Octavia road test reports and car reviews

Skoda Octavia VRS 2004

This vehicle, quite frankly, goes like stink! It sticks to the road, handles well round bends and accelerates just when you want (or need!) it to! Long distance fuel consumption is pretty good and is in fact better than some smaller engine size cars! Obviously if you’re hammering the hell out of it, the fuel doesn’t go so far! My only gripe would be that the front end is a little low to the ground, but as long as you’re careful, its not too much of a problem!

Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi 110bhp 2000

I bought this car new and have covered 250,000 trouble free miles. It still has the original clutch! In that time I have replaced discs and pads twice, routine servicing only required and the only faults have been one door central locking failure and an auxilliary belt tensioner. It has averaged 65mpg and uses a set of tyres every 45-50,000. What else can I say except I’m passing it on to my daughter as I have ordered a new one.

Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI 2009

I bought a new Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI ELG and love it, it’s the best car that I have ever driven. Before that I bought a new 2007 elegence petrol1.6, that too was just fantastic, it’s trouble free motoring all the time. Best cars ever, well done Skoda.

Responses to this review

I am expecting to take delivery shortly of a new Octavia 1.4se dsg give me a few weeks and I ll let you know my views on it. Thank you - David Graham from County Londonderry

Skoda Octavia elegance 2.0TDI DSG 2005

The review from Paul Talbot below reasonates with my experience. My prior car was an auto Omega 2.0 GLS and was a beauty to drive, I just didn’t like the electrical fauts it had. The Skoda feels like it is hewn from solid steel it really feels solid - a very reassuring feel when buying second hand. It’s overtaking ability is very good especially with the sutomatic box, and if you want to feel the urge from the 140bhp engine put the gearstick into sports mode and boot it. My wife and I love driving in town and on motorways. I feel a bit sorry for people who pay all that extra for a VW or AUDI badge, as Skoda are a now scoring higher in reliability surveys. Lot’s of TV adverts for VW and AUDI and none for SKODA ! I like the fact that you can set a variable warning bell for when you go over a certain speed, setting mine at 30mph has saved me from a speed camera ticket once or twice. The boot is bigger than the omega and that was big, the stereo is excellent too. The funny thing is I would never have considered buying one were it not for the fact that I needed a car urgently (the Vauxhall Omega died) and the main criteria were it had to be auto and diesel - apart from a Mondeo the Octavia was the only other choice at the time. I think a sign of a good car is that you look forward to driving it every day- the Skoda Elegance does that for me. The only criticism is that I can’t detach the rear aerial and although it folds flat I am dubious about using the local ASDA auto car wash. Can anyone advise?

Responses to this review

Stick the antenna to the rear window with a adhesive tape. This is how I solve that problem. By the way; I’m just about to replace my Octavia Elegance 1.8 20V T 2003 with a Octavia Elegance 2.0TDI DSG 2007. I hope I can cope with the fact that the 2.0TDI quite slower than the 1.8 20V T - Peter Wigen Bjarnų from Denmark

Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi Classic 2006

I bought this car second hand at a year old with 14,000 miles on the clock. When I purchased the car I didn’t realise that it had previously been a rental vehicle so if you’re considering purchasing one of this age / mileage, be sure to ask! I think these are in theory an excellent car, spacious, comfortable, economic, but I’ve had nothing but problems with it, from endless suspension issues, problems with the gearbox and general niggles. The engine is a bit loud, the road noise is dreadful unless you find just the right tyres (in my case pirelli P6000’s), the clutch is weak and the stereo is pretty poor. In the car’s defence, it’s issues seem to be more as a result of unsympathetic rental drivers than bad build quality, but the car is in the dealer’s yet again, and my warranty runs out next friday. Would i buy one again .... honestly, i dont think so, and with the warranty about to expire i’m thinking about getting shot of it before anything else goes wrong.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI Lauren and Klement 2009

First I must say, stay away from Skoda, it’s by far the worse car I have ever driven! I have driven a vast number of different brands from Honda/Toyota to Ford/GMC to Audi/BMW/Mercedes. I am writing this review so that others may not be misguided as a result of making the same mistake I did. After reading so many reviews about Skoda as being very well rated I picked one my self. I wanted to say this, "how in the world did you come up with these ratings?" I was faced with the decision of choosing a company car and I picked a Skoda based on the reviews I found. These reviews are misguiding for people that have limited time or are not familiar with Skoda brand. I’m confused as to why some people are comparing Skoda with VW, BMW or Audi? Let’s clear this up. This car is simply a Skoda and nothing more! Skoda is built in the Czech Republic and quality is limited. 1. The Engine is loud similar to a Tractor and first and second gears are short and powerless. 2. Road noise is very present and makes driving an unpleasant experience (the cabin insulation seems non-existent) 3. Interior/Exterior: car has lots of plastic materials that look plain and cheap. 4. Visibility issues: Critical Dead Spot- the Left side Pillar blocking driver’s view when making left turns. 5.Diesel Engine: noise is very unpleasant and tiring for long drives unlike Audi, BMW or VW whose engines are quiet and smooth. 6.Seats are very uncomfortable I already have back pains, long drives are horrible. 7.Car is unstable and turbulence apparent especially when driving on pot holes, rougher roads or over 120KM/hr on the highway. Apparently the suspension system is not doing a good job in absorbing the road impacts. Final word: Do not waste your time or money with Skoda, it’s not worth it!

Responses to this review

I’m confused - "1. The Engine is loud similar to a Tractor and first and second gears are short and powerless." 5. Diesel Engine: noise is very unpleasant and tiring for long drives unlike Audi, BMW or VW whose engines are quiet and smooth" What you mean like the 2.0 TDi VW/Audi engine that is fitted to this Skoda? - Simon Bucannon from England

Skoda Octavia Petrol VRS 2007

What a fantastic car for the money, I am thoroughly satified with my VRS and wouldn’t swap it for any other performance hatch. I tried all the other cars in the range, from the ST to the VRX and the GTI, for the money, build qaulity, economy, performance and practicality, it can’t be beaten. I travel mainly on country lanes and B roads, and the suspension is a dream, it absorbs everything the roads can throw up. It is economical and I am averaging 37 mpg. I was amazed when I did a trip to cornwall and got 42 mpg, I had to be careful at the pumps, not to fill up with diesel :-) The old image of the rusty, smoky Skoda has long gone, this is a Volkswagon Audi Group car with all the credentials of an Audi or a Volkswagen. Before you buy your next car and are looking for something the size of an Octavia, throw away your badge snobbery and try one, you will not be disappointed; I will buy another VRS when the wife lets me change this one :-)

Skoda Octavia 2008

A good value family saloon car. Runs smoothly on motorways & around town. Huge boot for all the families junk & shopping. Only disadvantages are... No rear wiper (I know it’s slanted so rain runs down, but you still need a wiper when it mists up in the cold!). Visibility not great.

Skoda Octavia Lauren and Klement 2007

This is the second Skoda I have leased and will have another one. Great build quality and is one of the most comfortable cars I’ve had. Road handling is excellent and performance from the 2.0 litre Turbo diesel engine takes some beating. Having had the opportunity to lease the Skoda Octavia I have no hesitation in buying one privately. The Lauren and Klement variant is packed with everything you could wish for. Don’t let the historical stories put you off. One of the best cars on the road!