Skoda Octavia Estate

Skoda claims it gives you an 'extra bit of car' for your money - and nowhere is this more true than in the Octavia Estate. The boot is huge and full of neat touches. So the firm's amazing growth continues, and for £14,500, we can't think of a better load-lugger.

Times have certainly changed. A few years ago, you wouldn't have given Skoda's claim that it wanted to be a cheaper version of Volvo much credit. But today, the proof is here for all to see. Given the Swedish firm's association with the world's best load-luggers, the new Octavia Estate is proof those assertions really do Czech out.

Cavernous doesn't do this car's boot justice, as it holds 580 litres with all the seats up, or an incredible 1,620 litres with them all folded. This is comfortably better than the previous version - 548 and 1,512 litres respectively - and pushes the Octavia to the top of the class.

But it's not only the volume that marks this model out, because Skoda has tried hard to fill the load area with neat touches. These range from boot hooks for shopping bags, to the quality feel of the parcel shelf - runners make it easy to guide into place and it's also damped. Add in the power point and ski hatch, and you've got the makings of a very well appointed car.

Even the styling is sharp, avoiding the boxy look of some competitors. It's the same as the Octavia hatch forward of the C-pillar, but the rounded boot has more than a hint of Mercedes' C-Class about it.

Any gripes? Not too many, but folding the seats isn't easy. They don't do anything clever, so you have to flip the base before lowering the backs. But what's more of a pain is that the front chairs have to be pulled forward before you can do this - and even then, the load area isn't totally flat.

In the cabin, rear room is impressive while the dash area is simple and well made. It's practical, too, with plenty of cubbies up front and some neat storage space by the side of the seat. Also, getting comfortable behind the wheel is easy thanks to a wide range of adjustment on the steering and seat.

The driving experience is good, too. This model's 1.9 TDI diesel engine isn't the Octavia's best - we'd recommend the smoother 2.0-litre oil-burner - but it's economical and quiet at speed. The ride soaks up most bumps and potholes, although it feels firmer than the hatch's due to stiffer rear shock absorbers to cope with the extra payload.

If we had a criticism of the Octavia, it would be that it lacks some character - it feels too much like the rest of the VW Group's offerings. But as a load- lugger, it's starting to run Volvo close.