Skoda Octavia vs Ford Mondeo

What makes the perfect family car? It’s a question that all designers no doubt ask themselves. One thing’s for sure: between them, the Skoda Octavia and Ford Mondeo are ideal transport for parents with a growing family.

Launched in 2004, the Czech model has proved a huge hit. In 2006, it finished a superb second on its Driver Power debut, before you voted it the overall winner in 2007 and 2008.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Skoda Octavia

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Praise indeed for a car that shares its basic underpinnings with the Volkswagen Golf, yet offers the kind of space to rival full-sized family buys like the latest Mondeo.

The blue oval model arrived in showrooms last year, and quickly established itself as one of the class’s best all-rounders. Indeed, so convinced is Auto Express of its talents, we named the Mondeo Car of the Year in our 2007 New Car Honours (Issue 971).

It’s yet to appear in the Driver Power charts, but will hope to improve markedly on the previous generation, which finished mid-table in the top 100 for 2008.

At 4,778mm, the new-shape five-door Ford is 206mm longer than the Skoda, and 117mm wider. Its distinctive styling makes a real impression. Even accounting for the fact that our Skoda test car is in basic trim, and costs around £5,000 less, it looks like the poor relation in comparison.

On the other hand, the key to the Octavia’s appeal has long been its strength across the board. The range of hatchback and estate models was rated in the top 10 in half of your judging categories, and its highest score was in the practicality chart.

Up front, the Skoda’s cabin has a classier finish, particularly on the centre console. But it all feels more sombre than the layout in the Ford; the Octavia’s door trims don’t show the same imagination in their design, for example.

The quality on display inside the Mondeo suggests a decent score is likely when it debuts in next year’s Driver Power survey. And it is also set to push the Skoda for practicality. The new car’s substantial dimensions clearly pay dividends inside.

While the Octavia offers a generous 710mm of rear legroom, even that is dwarfed by the Ford’s 770mm. Lift the tailgate and there’s not so much difference in the length of the luggage bays. Both cars have a huge floor area whether the seats are in place or folded flat. Only the greater depth of the Skoda’s boot allows it to edge ahead in terms of space; it has 560 litres with the seats up, to the Mondeo’s 528 litres.

It’s from behind the wheel that the Ford’s main benefits become apparent. The Skoda achieved its lowest ratings in Driver Power in the comfort and handling stakes – and here the Mondeo wins hands down.There’s nothing wrong with the Octavia’s dynamics, it’s just that they are simply not up to the class-leading standard of its opponent, which is supremely comfortable over long distances. What’s more, the Ford is just as adept on a challenging road, where its sharp steering, amazing agility and brilliant engine performance perfectly complement the smooth ride.

So it looks as if the Octavia is comprehensively beaten… until you check out the costs.

Skoda hasn’t forgotten its budget brand roots, and the range starts from a bargain basement £11,145 – although the entry-level variant is fitted with a weedy 1.4-litre engine, and is best avoided. Even with a more modern 1.6-litre FSI unit under the bonnet, the Octavia is available for £12,240. The most you’ll pay is £20,920 for the top-of-the-range estate.

The Mondeo is a more pricey proposition. The entry-level car is £15,405, while the flagship models weigh in at £21,205.

It’s this difference in cost that has helped the Octavia become such a Driver Power favourite over the years. Private buyers can get a model offering a polished all-round package that’s a less common sight on the road than the Mondeo for a lower outlay. In the family car class, we have the opposite situation to the Driver Power supermini sector. There the reigning champ, the Honda Jazz, keeps less expensive rivals at bay with its amazing versatility.

For those wanting something larger, the lower price makes the Octavia more of a draw, even if buyers lose out in terms of ultimate practicality. And with more glowing reports expected from owners, we wouldn’t bet against the Skoda clinching a hat-trick of Driver Power victories.

As for the Mondeo? All that remains to be seen is whether it has the reliability to match its all-round talents. We can’t wait to see where it finishes in 2009.

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