Skoda Octavia 2004 review
This is the all-new Octavia, and we've hit the road in one of the first cars in the country to find out.
The old Octavia changed people's perceptions of Skoda, and this new model builds on that. It's a refined, well made and spacious package offered at a price that leaves many of its rivals looking distinctly second best.
Has Skoda's mid-sized hatchback moved up an Octave? This is the all-new Octavia, and we've hit the road in one of the first cars in the country to find out.
Visually, the newcomer is a real winner. The front is classically styled, with a Superb-like grille and neat, fluted bonnet. At the back, it's tidy, if a little dull, with new C-shaped indicator lenses.
As a whole, the Octavia has an upmarket feel, though, and that's carried through to the cabin. Again, don't expect anything ground-breaking, but what the Skoda does offer is an extremely comfortable driving position, backed up by a logical dashboard layout.
Build quality is excellent, and there are lots of practical features. Front door bins are generously sized, while there are a couple of coat hooks sprouting from the B-pillars, so you can hang a jacket without suffering the loss of visibility caused by using the grab handles.
And then there's the Octavia's vast boot. The old model was impressive, but even with the rear seats in place the newcomer has 560 litres of space, increasing to 1,350 litres with the bench folded. A series of handy luggage nets is on the options list to boost versatility. We drove the 105bhp 1.9-litre TDI Elegance, which is the most powerful of the three models available at launch. If you prefer petrol, there is a choice of 102bhp 1.6 and 75bhp 1.4-litre units. A more powerful 115bhp 1.6-litre FSI debuts in September, where it will be joined by a range-topping 2.0-litre TDI diesel, delivering 140bhp.
So in the meantime, the old VW unit is the pick of the range. It's showing its age, with plenty of noise at idle and a coarse note in town. But even today, the TDI PD is responsive, giving the Octavia a respectable 0-60mph time of 11.8 seconds and a 119mph top speed. Fuel economy of 53mpg is another plus.
And while it might not be the last word in driving excitement, the Octavia is an excellent cruising car. It has the ride quality of a much bigger saloon, and only jars over really sharp bumps. Assured handling and precise, if rather uncommunicative, steering complete the picture. The brakes are effective, but lacking in overall feel.
These are minor criticisms in what is otherwise a well equipped and impressive package. At £14,900, the flagship Elegance includes Climatronic air-conditioning, a CD multichanger and electric windows, along with cruise control, auto wipers and a smart, chilled cubbyhole in the armrest. That makes the Octavia one of the best value for money cars we've driven this year.
