Skoda Octavia - Engines, performance and drive

Under the skin, the Skoda Octavia sports an engine line-up that shares much with other VW Group stablemates. The powertrains have benefitted from a sensible dose of rightsizing, too, which sees the 1.0-litre TSI superseded by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit as part of the facelift. 

The range kicks off with the 1.5 TSI producing a grunty 220Nm of torque, which means that it feels more lively than the 114bhp maximum power output would have you believe. Above that sits a 148bhp version of the same 1.5 TSI unit, adding a further 30Nm of torque to boost in-gear flexibility. 

These engines also dictate the trim level you must have, because the less potent version is only offered with the entry-level SE Technology, while the more powerful choice becomes available in SE L and SportLine trims. Automatic versions get mild-hybrid tech to improve fuel economy by as much as 4mpg over the manual gearbox option that goes without. 

Diesel choices come in the form of a pair of 2.0-litre turbocharged units that produce either 114bhp and 300Nm or 148bhp and 360Nm. The latter makes that peak torque figure from just 1,600rpm, offering excellent real-world flexibility. In this instance, the lower-powered unit has a six-speed manual transmission, while the latter is equipped with a DSG automatic.

At the top of the Octavia range sits the hotter vRS. In its latest incarnation, this version is more powerful than ever before, producing 262bhp from its turbocharged four-cylinder EA888 petrol engine. Peak torque is 370Nm, all of which is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

What is the Skoda Octavia like to drive?

In town

The Octavia is a big car for the class – it’s almost 4.7 metres long – and most of that extra bodywork is hanging out the back, which means positioning the rear in a tight parking space requires a touch more care than in some rivals. Fortunately, front and rear parking sensors are fitted on all trim levels. Meanwhile, the Skoda’s steering is light, as is the clutch pedal for the slick manual gearshift. The automatic gearbox can be a little jerky when moving off, however.

On A- and B-roads

On the move, comfort is the name of the game for the Czech hatchback. There’s not much driver involvement to be found because the steering doesn’t offer much feedback, and the chassis feels a little nose-heavy. A soft suspension set-up delivers great ride comfort.

The Skoda’s suspension is among the most supple examples in the segment, and relaxed damping means the car tends to float across bumps rather than thump into them. It’s at its most relaxing in base models, where modestly sized 16-inch alloy wheels and a generous tyre sidewall help to soak up most imperfections in the road. 

Sporty vRS aside, straight-line performance isn’t outstanding (the vRS gets a unique chassis tune, which makes it much more engaging through the turns), but the engine line-up scores well for overall refinement, and the petrol and diesel variants all deliver smooth, consistent power. 

On the motorway

Those engine traits work well at high speeds, where the engines’ low-down responsiveness means that the gearbox doesn’t need to be worked too hard to maintain speed up steep hills or when performing overtakes.

While straight-line stability at 70mph isn’t quite as unshakeable as a Volkswagen Golf – the standard-setter in this class – it’s still a superbly refined and relaxing place to be. One or two alternative models are marginally more refined, but road noise is kept fairly low in the Skoda, similar to the Golf.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

As part of the facelift, the entry-level 1.0 TSI engine has been replaced by a smoother and more powerful 1.5 TSI four-cylinder. The entry-level version has a 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 126mph, while the 148bhp version of this engine cuts the 0 to 62mph time to 8.5 seconds, and the top speed increases to 142mph.

Those seeking a diesel can go for the 2.0-litre TDI unit. The 114bhp/300Nm version manages 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds, while the more powerful 148bhp/360Nm variant does the same in 8.5 seconds. The top speed of the former is 132mph, while the latter manages 141mph.

The sporty Octavia vRS is the quickest from 0-62mph, with the 261bhp model capable of 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, and goes on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.