Skoda Octavia Estate

If the Ford is all about eye-catching design, the Skoda Octavia is more subtle and understated. Its underpinnings date from 2004, and the exterior doesn’t attempt to hide its practical purpose, with boxy proportions and a more fuss-free design than the Focus.

The beauty of this model lies under the skin: its 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine is the star of the show. It sounds small for such a big car, and trails the Ford on power, with 104bhp, but punches well above its weight.

The unit produces 175Nm of torque at only 1,550rpm, providing the Skoda with impressive low-down grunt. It dispatched the 30-50mph sprint in third gear two seconds faster than its rival, in only 5.1 seconds. The smooth-revving motor pulls strongly all the way to 6,000rpm, too. Admittedly, estate cars aren’t all about straight-line speed, but owners who regularly expect to carry full or heavy 

loads will appreciate this stronger performance.

The huge boot only adds to the Octavia’s load-carrying appeal. Its 605-litre capacity has a 129-litre advantage over the Focus; fold the rear seats, and the gap widens to 153 litres, with 1,655 litres available. Extra bag hooks and more luxurious trimmings give it an extra edge.

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Passenger space is equally generous in the Skoda. There’s an extra 40mm of legroom in the back, while bigger windows provide an airier 

feel. Despite the car’s age, the cabin is easier to live with, too. The seats aren’t heavily bolstered – unlike those in the Focus – but are supportive and comfortable. Plus, there’s plenty of adjustment from the driver’s seat and steering wheel.

The latter does without the tactile leather finish that features on the Focus – this is a £180 option in the Octavia – but the rest of the interior is full of high-quality plastics and is impeccably built. The 1.2-litre TSI engine is also available in entry-level S specification, but our SE model provides air-con, a touchscreen stereo and electric rear windows all as standard.

Hit the road, and the Skoda doesn’t disappoint. You don’t get as much feedback through the major controls as you do in the Ford, but it still drives with precision and composure.

There’s more body roll in corners, although smaller 15-inch wheels and more compliant suspension ensure our model strikes a better ride and handling balance than the Focus. The extra refinement makes it a more appealing choice on longer journeys.

Official economy and emissions are impressive; the turbo should return 49.6mpg and puts out 134g/km, which means £115-a-year road tax. During its time on test, the Skoda was 7.1mpg more efficient than the slower Ford, achieving 37.5mpg.

On this evidence, the new engine has reinvigorated the Octavia estate. It isn’t in its first flush of youth, but it remains a very strong all-round package.

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WHY: Octavia works best as a load-carrier, and 1.2 TSI engine is arguably the pick of the range. Tempting price boosts its appeal.