2008 Skoda Octavia RS review
May 26, 2008 by Paul Maric
2008 Skoda Octavia RS Road Test
Model tested: Skoda Octavia RS
Recommended Retail Price: $37,490.
Options fitted: Satellite navigation ($2,890); xenon headlights ($1,730); sunroof ($1,730) and front parking sensors ($490).
Impressive acceleration, handling, interior.
Brakes with Michelin tyre combination, satellite navigation quibbles.
CarAdvice rating: 
(4.25)
– Review and photographs by Paul Maric.
“Hooowwwlllyyy crap!”, I shrieked after standing on the Octavia RS’s throttle. This thing is ballistic, I thought to myself. Sitting on command under my right foot is yet another user of the infamous Volkswagen Golf GTI engine. The 147kW, 280Nm unit has been borrowed from the German manufacturer to slot into Skoda’s hot RS model. It does the naught-to-one-hundred dash in just 7.3-seconds (which I reckon is understated).
Mated to an easy-to-use and silky smooth 6-speed manual gearbox, the combination of torque and power delivery make the Skoda Octavia RS an extremely enjoyable car to drive. Fitted to the Australian spec of Skoda Octavia RS are a sticky set of Michelin Pilot tyres measuring 225/40/R18. The tyres provide phenomenal grip and work in harmony with the Octavia RS’s chassis to bring the ultimate driving experience.
The cabin is also a nice place to be. Sport seats and a very well built dashboard set off first impressions, while a killer stereo and groovy green illumination at night follow soon after. The test vehicle was optioned with satellite navigation, but no 6-stack CD-player. This meant that whenever I wanted to listen to a CD, I had to remove the navigation disc and lose all navigation functionality! It became quite frustrating, quite quickly.
Rear leg room is impressive – but not nearly as impressive as the boot size. We’re talking 560-litres of storage space! That’s on par with the Falcon and Commodore – all while catering for a full-sized spare tyre.
The way the Octavia RS drives is impressive – to say the least. It feels very confident and agile through tight corners and doesn’t mind changing direction in a hurry. One oversight were the brakes though. Not because they weren’t effective, but more because the ABS calibration didn’t seem to factor in the ultra-grippy Michelin tyres. There was no linearity between medium braking and emergency braking, it was either or, and this became a bit tedious when throwing the RS through our private test circuit.
Priced from $37,490, the Octavia RS is available as either hatch or wagon (add an extra $2,000 to the list price for the wagon) with only one gearbox on offer – the 6-speed manual.
Standard features include: Power steering; power mirrors; central locking; alloy wheels; cruise control; 6-stack CD-player with MP3 compatibility; automatic headlights; automatic windscreen wipers; dual zone automatic air conditioning; rear parking sensors; heated front seats; power widows; auto dimming rear vision mirror and fog lights.
Safety features include: ABS brakes with EBD and BA; driver and passenger front airbags; side airbags; curtain airbags; ESP (Electronic Stability Control); engine immobiliser; alarm with interior monitor and height adjustable front seatbelts.
The new Skoda Octavia RS really is a car you can take for a tear up your local mountain road of a weekend – or if you don’t feel in the mood, you can cruise around causing little fuss (and using little fuel, sipping through just 7.9-litres/100km).
Although the yellow colour is a bit outrageous for my liking, there is a nice blue colour that would suit me down to a tee. Given the chance, I believe this car will impress the masses. If you haven’t already, give one a shot at your local dealership. Remember to bring a change of underwear – this thing will almost certainly take you by surprise!
CarAdvice overall rating:
How does it drive: 
How does it look:
How does it go:
2008 Skoda Octavia RS Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder
Power: 147kW
Torque: 280Nm
Top speed: 240km/h
Safety: Electronic stability control- front air bags – side airbags – curtain airbags – front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.
0-100km/h: 7.3-seconds
EuroNCAP rating: 4-stars
Turning circle: 10.2m
Fuel tank: 55-litres
Fuel consumption : 7.9 litres/100km (claimed)
Fuel type: 98RON Premium Unleaded
Print it: 
Very underrated car which should sell well.
Cheers !
I saw one of these the other day. It looks good in person, not overdone, a bit under the radar.
i love this car makes the GTi seem a bit overpriced.But sat in one at brizzzy and couldnt believe the size of it in real life,
The quality’s there, too. It’s not so obviously the poorer cousin.
I’m not for over the top styling, but I honestly believe this car needs a little spicing up in the looks department, particularly for this sports model.
Yup agree with JW. The design is dated and actually reminds me of the Barina Sedan stretched a wee bit further length-wise. The dash’s green backlight doesnt particularly thrill me either.
Other than that, those Veedubbers have done a great job with this Czech.
Good Review, Valid points, although in terms of styling, we shouldn’t forget this model has been out for years in Europe…
Also Andy “Veedubbers have done a great job with this Czech.”
Cool, hope you know VW and Porsche would’nt be around without Czech Engineers such as Ferdinand Porsche, and Erwin Komenda!!
Sorry in my previous comment i ment Hans Ledwinka instead of Erwin Komenda…
Tomas79,
F.Porsche is Czech?!??!?! Dang thats news to me. And i jus googled hans and Erwin. Hmm, didn know so much of German industry is imported. So much for the Third Reich.
lol, the next thing you’re gonna tell me Barnesey penned the Camry and jonno came up with VTEC. =P
I’m in the market for a family wagon that drives well as well – and having trouble.
This is great value, reasonable looker, goes alright too.
Only problem will be resale……..
Does anyone know if they plan to bring in the AWD version?
Also – will they do a DSG version.
Nice work.
I’ll add it to the list which currently contains A4 S70, and Passat AWD.
Just need to get over the bagde factor
Snobby.
Would like to know from when the Skoda Superb will be available in Perth and at what price. The reviews so far sounds good. Hopefully the price will not push it up with the the more known brands.
just want to say that i have driven this car in sweden and it goes like a power of shit! not bad for a car that is only a 2.LT and is not chipped and trimmed to the hilt ,will be buying one early next year,and laughing my head off at all those V8 rev heads that won,t be able to afford petrol in 2 yrs ..lol
Are they actually selling any?????
Sounds like a nice car though despite its lack of bagde appeal.
One would have to fork out nearly double that to get the same performance from an audi 2ltr Q wagon.
Can anyone justify the premium.
Im off to the showroom.
whats the 0-400m time on the RS?
had my Octavia RS for just over 1000km and its been fantastic. it seems that skoda’s are fantastic cars.
All the idiots who drive commodores and falcons are really missing out on this car that is a) faster, b)has a bigger boot and c)not releasing what a good brand skoda is.
why are australians so single minded?
if they really really knew what they needed in a car they would buy a roomster – which is a fantastic little car!
I take it that’s why you bought a Roomster Jake02? Oh wait, you got the Octavia…
And Jake02, the new Falcon is a) just as fast, b) has just as much luggage space and c) is cheaper than your RS. So while Skoda is good, there are other options available, such as the Falcon, which are more appealing many.
I have just picked up a new blue RS and look for any excuse to drive it. It’s the best car I have driven in years, I love it! Haven’t seen others on Perth streets yet, but, as word gets out how good these cars really are, more and more will start to appear I am sure. All the best.
jbot you obviously forgot to mention that my RS is alot more fuel efficient than a falcon (which becuase most falcons and commodores are company cars, it really doesn’t matter) and the fact that at 560 litres, my boot is bigger.
so there.
I don’t mind the look of this car at all. What I think is they should reduce the price in order for others to consider the Skoda over the VW and other competitors in that market. Although a little cheaper most would opt to pay that little bit extra for a well known “badge”. Make it atleast 5k less expensive with similar options\specs to something like the Golf GTI or Jetta etc and you have a winner.
Once this is done… I’m sold. For the moment too many unknowns as far as resale is concerned.
Oh… any ideas on how much insurance for one of these babies will cost?
Cheers
Apollo, it is actully an older badge then the VW!!
And unlike the VW jetta, truly European built!
Sorry, no idea about the insurance..
JW & Andy you guys have absolutely no idea when it comes to styling, this thing looks great! Note the sensational looking 18inch alloys! What spice it up with ugly spoilers or stripes like a new Ford does??!! What are you guys looking for? Maybe a Ferrari or Lambo with a tardis built into it??!! BTW Ford and GM styling are the epitome of OVERSTYLED & OUTDATED! And don’t get me started on fuel economy which is beyond a joke…I new there was a reason that GMH’s parent company lost US$15.5 billion in 2Q while Ford blew out US$41 billion…now why would that be?? NFI would be a good place to start! My only comment on the new RV is that it needs a larger options list: automatic transmission, greater ranger of paint colours and more trim options. Otherwise a great car worth every cent being asked!
I have my blue RS for over six Months in Perth. It is a very nice car to drive. My car got factory Nav and noonroof as well. There are some minor things, eg, poor rear vision due to small rear window, lack of bluetooth, wind noice at high speed. I have install a reverse camera connect to the factory Nav monitor(Need to buy an adaptor A$70 from Ebay, which provide you with excellent quality of video). This help rear vision problem. Unfortunetly, Perth dealers do not know how to install a camera to the factory Nav. They may suggest you to install an extra Monitor on the dash, which cost you over A$1,000 and not looking good. I also install a Parrot MK6100 bluetooth with music streaming, which allow me to us the factory Nav, hand-free phone and listen to music at the same time. This should compitable to i-phone. I have not try I-phone yet. But it works beautifully with My Motorola, HTC PDA, Glofiish PDA. Total cost of above A$320.