The Octavia is Skoda’s practical, family-friendly hatchback, and is the carmaker’s bestselling
model worldwide, claiming about 40 per cent of all Skoda sales – but we already know
this, so let’s cut to the chase, what is new about this model?
Well, it has a new 1.0 litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the same engine
already featured in the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3, and this replaces the currently
available 1.2-litre TSI. Now this engine only weighs 78kg – about the same
weight as 780 blueberry muffins according to a very strange website I visited - and
Skoda claims this consumes six per cent less fuel than the outgoing 1.2-litre. So let’s see shall we…
Pretty much every manufacturer will claim that it's 1.0 litre
three-cylinder turbocharged petrol feels like a bigger engine to drive. Promising that
you will be left saying “I can’t believe it’s not butter”. But what’s this new
113bhp unit like. Well, it's certainly quiet for a three-cylinder turbo.
I mean, you can hear it but it doesn’t feel like it’s being battered
within an inch of its life, even when you do thrash it. It’s particularly quiet
when you get up to speed on the motorway. And power delivery wise, you can actually drive it
at lower speeds round the city without it feeling lethargic. In that respect it does feel a lot like
the existing 1.2-litre TSI. But like most three-cylinders, this engine really
comes to life when you start to rev it out, and this little unit really does like to rev, and when you hit the 3000rpm
mark you will be greeted with 200Nm of torque, which for a 1.0-litre is really impressive,
and you can feel that added grunt as well, with a 0-62 time of just 9.9 seconds. And this
1.0 comes mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox, and the addition of that sixth gear really does
make a difference, it gives you a bit more wiggle room. But the added efficiency is what it's really
about as it emits just 104g/km of CO2 and claims an average return of 61mpg. Okay, you’ll
probably get around 50-55mpg, but that’s still very impressive. It's certainly better than the
old 1.2 and more importantly, more attractive to business drivers – or anyone who likes
saving money. Although the 1.0-litre may be a little peppier
than the 1.2-litre, the Octavia is still very much the same animal, which is to say it’s got a
comfortable ride, the steering is light and no-nonsense and there's good body control. But it's not particularly exciting to drive.
There is a slight difference. I mean, the front end does
feel a bit lighter and nippier due to the lighter engine, but the difference is marginal.
Similar to its drive, the Octavia's interior is as can
be expected. It's excellently laid out, although rather conservatively so.
You have got quite a few black scratchy plastics, although we have got these cool inserts as well.
Now, one big thing you do need to be aware of is that this new 1.0 is only available with S and SE models,
which means this SE model we’ve got is pretty much as lavish as it gets, with a 5.8-inch touchscreen,
DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control and dual-zone air-con. Of course, you can add some options
like parking sensors for £350, sat-nav for £800, or heated seats £250, but that may
defeat the point of buying an affordable engine. But on the practicality front the Octavia can’t really be
faulted. There’s really good-sized door bins, a place for your keys and your wallet,
as well as 2 cup holders in the centre, some storage here, and you even get a proper glove box.
That practicality in the back is even better. I mean, you've got loads of head room
and absolutely tons of leg room. And it doesn’t get much better than the Octavia
when it comes to hatchbacks. Ridiculous to make a point, if I move this seat all the way back.
I mean, I've not got loads of room, but I'm not uncomfortable.
The boot is massive as well with this huge opening and up to 590 litres, with the seats up.
And 1,580 litres, with the seats down. so never mind Ford
Focus competition, that’s SUV territory. So it’s a bit more efficient, which will
save you on running costs. But what about price? Well, if you go for this SE model it's going to
cost you £18,000, that’s a bit more expensive than the 1.2-litre used to be, but it’s still cheaper
than the equivalent VW and Audi models. Bottom line is, if you are after a practical,
comfortable hatchback that's got an engine that's not too expensive to run or buy – and you’re
not too concerned with excitement – then the Octavia 1.0 litre is great. And it terms of
interior quality and luxury, it sits in that nook between a Ford and an Audi, great for
someone who wants something a bit different. But what do you think of the Octavia 1.0-litre?
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