Comments on: 2009 Skoda Octavia Review and Road Test

By: Colin

Colin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:45:47 +0000

Hired a one of these in the OK last month, drove very well. Economy & comfort also good.
No keyless entry was a big draw back, when travelling with others all the time.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:01:14 +0000

2009 Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI – $35,790
is this price in dollar?
If yes it is expensive I have to say…Which city?

I live in Shanghai China, maybe someone here knows…
the previous Octavia 1.8 TSI comfort version with 6AT is around 150，000rmb
which is around 22,000 US dollar.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:17:37 +0000

I live in Nigeria where information about Car performance is scanty. I just got 1.6 Skoda Octavia. My experience tallies with the test drive report put together by Paul. I too perceive on my first drive that the car is tool big for the 1.6L engine. As I have to rev up to 3600 before moving the car from traffic light stop (causing unnecessary stare from fellow drivers and on-lookers) and before it could change to gear 2. However, the interior and exterior beauty is ok and alright for the price.

If I have got this information early, may be I would have waited for 1.8TSI which from the manufacturer’s datasheet and the above test drive report shows that it has a better engine performance.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:12:03 +0000

It is interesting that nobody has compared this car to the older model VW Passat which it seems to look very much like from the rear lights of the Octavia and well basically the drive train and engines are identical in the 1.8 config sans the new DSG auto.

Agree with the reviewer as to why they updated this model in that only really body style has changed a bit and not really much else. I have read though that Skoda is one of the most sought after cars in Germany in that they actually have better quality records compared to their own indigenous built VW’s. I still think the Jetta is a better looking car, but certainly more expensive for just looks really.

All up the Skoda range is really a poor mans Audi – most all of the specs are Audi of years past and certainly great value for money, not that they compete on a style level, that Audi has in spades. I do think the brand will slowly catch fire though, they offer a lot of European car for the money.

By: Jake02

Jake02 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:20:47 +0000

Sorry TSI, I went on to say that around town I get upto 600kms out of tank, and if needed it can last me two weeks at the maximum. I’m pretty imressed!

By: Jake02

Jake02 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:13:06 +0000

TSI:
Yep I own an RS petrol hatch, and around town I get about 10L/100km, not particularly good but my old Subaru Liberty (2000 model) got around 14L/100km around town (all cars are the same) and the Skoda has alot better performance! on a trip from Sydney to Coffs Harbour (490km) it used just over half a tank of fuel, which impressed me immensly especially considering it’s petrol-powered.

I paid the same with the Skoda as I originally did in 2000 with the Sube (37k), and it’s amazing to see how much extra you get for your money now-a-days!

By: AS

AS — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:34:47 +0000

Nice to see some discussion about the Skoda here.

I’m in the market for a new car, and after years of Commodore wagons for the family I’m after a car I can appreciate and enjoy.

Looked at the Mazda 6, Honda Accord Euro, Mondeo and Skoda. In the end, it’s a personal choice isn’t it? But my take was that Mazda 6 was too fussy inside (lots of switches) but great expanses of boring plastic, Mondeo is bland (looks like another family car), Accord is lovely to look at but underpowered (and unconvincing advice from the dealer on that pinging issue). Skoda just seemed to tick all the boxes – and no matter what anyone says I love the DSG having driven extensively with it in Europe.

98RON is a worry, but I guess I just factor it into the budget. Looks? Not racy, but having had the opportunity to have one for a day and then also take it home overnight it does look better in the flesh.

Size? Frankly I didn’t think the Accord made good use of the extra dimensions and travelling with four or even five is a thing of the past.

So, now I just have to finalise the quote and get the salary packaging company organised.

But thanks everyone for the contributions, really good to hear so many views.

By: SteveH

SteveH — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:09:17 +0000

I was in the same boat as a few people here and was looking at the Mazda 6, Accord Euro, Mondeo XR5 and for something from left field, the Skoda Octavia RS.

I drove a Mondeo XR5 that felt really good, but then drove another that had about 5,000 k’s on it and it felt ‘loose’, so it didn’t feel well put together.

The Skoda was a nice car, but not as big as the other three. It is a fair bit narrower and while interior room is comparable, I needed the wider cars. Also, I had massive doubts about the resale value of a Skoda as it bourne out by the prices they are going for second hand.

For me it came down to the 6 and the Euro and I chose the Euro becuase it was far better equipped than the 6 for the same money. Anyone who has driven the Euro in a manual will know that it is not a slow car and it handles very well.

By: t

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:34:29 +0000

looks like a blinged nose holden viva

*sighs*

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:32:52 +0000

manufacturers need to pay attention to what the market desires

ask yourself why the Ford Focus is not sold here with a 1.6 petrol?

honda also have a 2.0 accord overseas and going by how lackluster the 2.4 is here you can see why they passed

as yet we do not have any arcane capacity laws in this country but you would think the importers would do a little market research and see what australians want?

no-one has an issue with direct injected small turbo diesels

what we don’t want is tiny petrol engines in large cars