2008 Skoda Octavia RS review
February 2, 2008 by Karl Peskett
2008 Skoda Octavia RS review
CarAdvice rating: 
Model tested: Octavia RS Sedan
Recommended Retail Price: $37,490
Roomy, excellent handling, quality, lag-free turbo punch
Subdued design, steering lacks feel
- by Karl Peskett
I’m really grateful for pharmacies. Especially the ones you can go to late at night. It’s almost a godsend when you’ve got a screaming kid, only to find out that the Children’s Panadol has run out. So you trundle down at 11pm and find a (quiet) haven where you can ease your offspring’s pain.
But there’s another reason why I’m grateful to our local Chemist. A few years ago, they started stocking aromatic essences. It was seen as an unusual move for a pharmacy, but when people checked out the price tag (myself included) they started to come around. You see, a perfume that is the real deal, yet costs a heap less, is going to go down well in anyone’s books.
And why wouldn’t you buy it from a Chemist? I mean, sure, it’s no David Jones, or Myer, but you’re still ending up with the same thing in the end, right? And if you’re going to save a heap of money doing it, more power to you.
That’s where the Skoda Octavia RS comes in. Like a perfume which costs less, the Skoda Octavia RS is basically a Volkswagen Jetta that’s been rebodied. So it uses the Volkswagen platform, switchgear, and engine. No bad thing if you ask me.
But it’s not just any old Veedub motor. The Octavia RS uses the award winning 2.0-litre turbocharged Golf GTI powerplant. Unlike its application in the Jetta though, which only comes with a DSG transmission, the Octavia’s engine is mated up to a beautifully slick 6-speed manual.
OK it’s a cheap perfume that smells the same as the expensive stuff, but…….the Jetta Turbo is $39990, or $2500 more, which is the usual price for the DSG upgrade.
The Skoda is going to dump far more in resale value. It has its plusses but if I wanted this class of car I’d plug for the “safer” Jetta. I think the pleasant smell will last far longer.
reckless1, what the author meant was the same expensive perfume can be bought at discount chemist at a cheaper price. It is still the expensive brand, you just don’t pay as much! By the way, the $39990 for the Jetta turbo includes the DSG, being the only transmission available.
Not to mention, the RS model tag might not be what a traditional Aussie prefers :)
The new car buyer of today is spoilt with so much choice… especially if you want something sporty, yet practical.
I’d still go with a Jetta over this. While it may be good, it just looks a lot cheaper than a Jetta, which doesn’t cost that much more really…
Interesting comment about the brake dust on the wheels. This seems to inflict most Euro cars. In fact my XC Barina had the same problem and it infuriated me. I recently had the brakes overhauled and insisted on Aussie pads. I am pleased to report there is no more brake dust problem.
Spitfire, do the brakes still work as good? Brake pads that put out a lot of brake dust are generally good brake pads!
In my view dusty pads do not always equate to better brakes.
My Monterey’s OEM front pads were changed at 140,000ks for some new ones using a Kevlar combination material.
I now have the dirty wheels which I never had with the OEMs, and the brakes are no better and no worse.
I’m pretty sure the Euro vehicles use soft rotors and soft pads to make VERY good brakes which last a VERY short time, and require owners to spend VERY large sums of money on brake replacements, delivering VERY nice profits in the parts department.
Many require new rotors and pads at only 30,000-50,000ks, even in Barina, Astra, etc. Makes a small car dearer to run than my Monterey – less petrol, sure, but brakes every year or 2 chews into the petrol savings big time :)
The rotors on my car need replacing with every 2nd brake pad change, and brake pads are changed every 15,000k and the longest!
Reckless1 is absolutely right: with some Euro cars you replace rotors as frequently as you replace pads with a Japper. And have you noticed how many Euro car owners never clean the black dust off their alloys, in order to show the world what heroic drivers they are?
Oh, and the Monterey did not require new rotors, didn’t even require machining, there’s no lip at all. It weighs in at about 2100kg give or take, and it’s an auto with no engine braking to speak of.
I agree about the “I don’t clean my wheels ’cause I’m a wanker” brigade as well. There’s nothing more off-putting than a Merc or BMW with filthy wheels (except perhaps another news article about Britney Spears). Makes you want to give the owner a bloody good slap :)
“Not to mention, the RS model tag might not be what a traditional Aussie prefers”
I have fond memories of my Ford Escort RS2000!
The mechanic who replaced the disc pads on my XC Barina said that there would be a slight drop off in performance with the new Aussie pads but I said that I would be prepared to accept this so that I did not have to put up with filthy wheels. The replacement pads are Bendix premium.
Personally, I have not noticed any difference in the braking performance, perhaps a professional driver such as a motoring journalist or racing driver could.
Further to my last post, I have one of the early XC Barina’s with four wheel disc brakes so the braking performance has always been good. I also had the pads replaced on all four wheels, the front rotors replaced and the rear rotors machined. This was done at 55k.
and you can get a wagon version…skoda do know how to offer sensible choices for consumers. but as others have said depreciation could be the achilles heel…..
In Europe, regulations state that a car must decelerate at the same rate, with or without the brake booster functioning. This is why rotors and pads dont lastlong.
Skodas are a good car…….but i dont think i havent ever seen one on the road, probaly only once!!!!
Lcat Says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
and you can get a wagon version…skoda do know how to offer sensible choices for consumers. but as others have said depreciation could be the achilles heel…..
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Depreciation is just based on what someone is willing to pay for a car. If lots of people start thinking that Skodas will depreciate quickly with no factual basis for it, it will become a self fulfilling prophesy. Personally I don’t think the turbo models will depreciate that quickly because they are a performance bargain.
As for the Jetta TSFI only being $2,500 more, The Skoda has more standard features like heated leather seats and 18″ wheels. Plus the Skoda which is built in the Czech Republic has proven reliability while the Jetta is built in Mexico which is not known to be as reliable.
Just buy a 3dr GTI and be done with it. $38.5K list price and you get the real deal, and made in Golfsburg. ;)
I was very keen on the Jetta but my 13 yr old son will have trouble with head room (Jetta and Passat don’t seem to cater for back seat passengers over 170 cm/5′7″).
Octavia has more room in the back. Looking for a mid-size car with good-sized boot and room to fit teenagers in the back. Any suggestions? Diesel would be great.
I wouldn’t hesitate to put money down on a Skoda, if I was in the market. Which I’m not.
I’m probably a real tool, as I too can’t be bothered cleaning the brake dust off my Golf’s wheels regularly. I really want to show the world that I’m using every skerrick of my little diesel’s 77kw. Pretty soon, people won’t even be able to see my 15″ Comfortline alloy wheels, a sure sign it’s driven in competition!
^^^^ time will tell chucky but i hope you are right because it is a damn fine car.
Kate, your requirements have been answered – the Tiguan is due from April – plenty of headroom in the rear for your baby giant :)
Reckless what sort of stupid statement is that “I agree about the “I don’t clean my wheels ’cause I’m a wanker” brigade as well. There’s nothing more off-putting than a Merc or BMW with filthy wheels (except perhaps another news article about Britney Spears). Makes you want to give the owner a bloody good slap”
Perhaps some people aren’t so sad as to want to polish their wheels every time they go out. Cars for driving not polishing.
Rotor and pads are much cheaper than they used to be here (Pohmieland). I changed 4 sets of pads and two rotors for my A6 for $330. I don’t see the economic point in the effort of machining discs at that price they are new.
I remember the Local Mitsu dealer in Melbourne offering to machine the rotors for $49 and not guarranteeing they would be in spec. I bought new but not from them. Villains.
Okay.
How is Skoda’s maintenance compared to Volkswagen? I heard it was quite a bit cheaper.
Also, mum isnt ever going to smash the brakes, so can we just replace the pads and rotors with some good old cheap Aussie crappy ones?
And what in particular is wrong with the steering?
Looks to me a good buy. I dont see how its understated……bright yellow……Personally I love that conservative sports car look, and its so practical!!!
The brakes dont matter really…. Maybe it will convince mum to actually service her car more than once every 100,000km….
Depreciation. See, we’re never going to sell it because our family just runs cars into the ground in the end. But if the depreciation is bad, we might as well buy one next year.
As long as maintenance isnt too bad.
(she has a 2000 Mazda 323 Astina, full trim and sports upgrade)
Ok as a pommie here a few observations!
Skoda hold their resale value better than VW in the UK!
It took a few years for the anti Skoda image of rust and wheels falling off to go – but its been gone since the first gen octavia hit our streets over ten years ago. Skoda customer experience (from JD Power) has been top for a number of years with dealer experience beating VW hands down. In fact I reckon Skoda is turning into an almost ‘anti badge must have’ in the uk!
On the other hand VW are begining to get a bad reputation for quality and reliability – weird as they are both from the same mould so to speak!
Rotors – is that what you call the disc on disc brakes? – I had a signum 3.2 auto which I did 70k km and the discs and pads were fine.
Ok the black dust – not all eu cars seem to get it – but depends upon how you drive. However a large percentage of BMW/mercs are company/fleet vehicles in the UK so they are driven by your average sales rep who as long as he/she has the right badge on their car anything else – like black wheels doesnt matter!
My father-in-law has recently sold his BMW 330D touring and bought a new octavia RS estate (sorry wagon!) – says its far better built and a better drive.
hi, i just bought the vrs sdn $42000 with extras and i got no complaints except the vision looking back is a little small. it’s got the power, huge boot, roomy, and it,s got a mean look, black, dark tint, sunroof, lowered, i’m in western australia if u c it make sure u look,lol, but honestly would highly recomend getting one i love this car
I just sold my Audi A4 2.0 and bought the 2.0FSI Elegance Skoda Octavia. The Skoda is an absolutely fantastic car. It drives a lot better than my A4 ever did. Way more power and heaps better handling! I have already done 35,000km on my Skoda since I bought it in October last year and have truly enjoyed it. Its already had its service and I have paid under half of what I was paying for such a service on my Audi A4. My wife’s friend has got a VW Jetta which she bought a few months before we got our Skoda and when I compared our service bills it showed that my were about half the price of hers. In addition, I once drove her car (which was more expensive and physically smaller) and came to the conclusion that performance wise, OK, the Jetta is the same (her Jetta is also a 2.0) but the handling on it is nowhere near as good as on my Skoda Octavia. Anyways, there is my two cents worth. Cheers, Christian.
Hi, The Skoda does look good, especially with the same powerplant as the VW Jetta TSI and the GTI Golf although lacks the DSG Box. Try testing a Jetta with the DSG 6 Speed mated to the Turbo Powerplant, its a perfect combination. I’ve had my Jetta for about 6 weeks now, and had no problems whatsoever, the build quality is of very high standard even though built in Mexico, its still up to VW’s high level of quality. Can highly recommed the Jetta TSI, well worth the $42K with Leather optioned. Peter.
Just discovered my new Skoda doesn’t have rear speakers. It has spots for rear speakers, speaker grilles, and a Fader function on the radio, but no rear speakers. I didn’t think a car maker staking its reputation on VW would make a car with no rear speakers. The last car I had with no rear speakers was my first. A 1974 Corolla. So don’t be fooled by the VW technology at a Japanese price pitch. I was.
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!
liam – you sound like a dickhead.
and david my skoda has rear speakers – 4 in fact.
Spot on Jake02!!
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.
PS David, I also have 4 rear speakers in my RS, what model is yours?
Ambiente. Base model yes, but I’d still expect rear speakers, considering all the other tech stuff in it. (I mean it has rear power windows, and rear air conditioning vents.) But Jake and Timbo I can’t fault the way it the drives. The diesel and DSG combo is sensational.
David, unfortunately they do have the Ambiente listed as a 4 speaker system (2 base, 2 tweeters, I assume),a bit mean as you say, with all the other features included. But I’m glad to here that you love driving your Skoda as well!
Thanks Timbo. I’ve been trying to work out where the four speakers were. Never really considered the tweeters speakers on their own: just a part of the speaker. (Using Skoda’s logic my old base model Astra would have had eight speakers as it had tweeters too. Bet Holden never thought about flogging it as an eight speaker sound system.) Out of interest, in the brochure do they add the windscreen and rear window to the number of windows? :-)
David and Timbo I’m glad to see that you are very happy with your Skodas. Mine had its first service (1000km) today and it hasn’t missed a beat.
Good luck to you both! and ps spread the word about how good skodas are!
oh and thanks to Tomas79 for the support!
I havnt seen one Skoda on the road yet. I suspect that VW will persist for a while with this brand on the Australian market but sales are very slow.
Eventualy they will cut their loses and withdraw the brand just like they did with SEAT. (Another VW subsidiary brand)
Happy motoring!!!!
just traded my liberty 3.0r auto , for a rs wagon . oh bliss , no more hesitant auto changes , shit economy and ginza glitz .
believe me this is a good car , shades of my mark iv golf gti but a much better drive.
bucket loads of effortless torque , great economy , good build quality .
check out the jd power uk customer satisfaction results , that tells the story .
remember fuel is not going to get cheaper , the vag group are the leaders in the power and economy game .
forget the skoda 60s stories , this is a long term quality product , have a test drive , be surprised
mick
I took a red RS for a test drive a few weeks ago, and the thing flies, sticks to the road, and is very comfortable. I love the look of the front of the vehicle, it looks like its about to eat the road. I’m tossing between the RS or the Ford XR5 Mondeo. What do you people think?
As a UK reader you guys should know that the Skoda Octavia has been on the UK market for a good many years now and the latest RS model (’vRS’ in UK) has become a popular and highly sought-after car. Depreciation is relatively low and the cars have a great reputation for being reliable and good to drive. A decent used RS sells quickly and there is a thriving community of enthusiats – check out the Briskoda.co.uk forums.
We are also tossing up between the Xr5 Mondeo and this, but anyone who has driven both, raves about the RS and complains that the XR5 isn’t the same as the UK version…ie crappier handling.
As for the Jetta option…well thats out cause the boot opening is crap compared to the Skodas….
dave and darren
Well i have had the rs wagon for 5 weeks now , economy over the subaru , gone from 14 l per 100 around town to low 9 l.
Ride on city roads a bit jarring if its crumbly tarmac , bloody good on rural , in fact its a great drive , right with the golf gti , but a touch softer , a hint of understeer.
The torque is fantastic coming out of corners , big shove ,you can miss gears easily .
Cabin noise bit higher than the scoobie , wagons always are , tyres may be part of that , contientals
Seats very comfy , great adjustment wheel to seat .
Beautifull build quality as good as the golf , no rattles or bits falling off .
What i love the best is that motor , great sound , tootle round town in 4th gear , no need to drop a gear just press and go , plenty of torque .
Bonus , wagon has loads of space , great Q car , very understated .
dave have a test drive
cheers
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.
I was only looking around for a car last weekend which I didn’t plan to get anything that day. I wrote down all the sport cars I was interested with (which excluded Skoda). Thanks to my partner who later found the information about Skoda.
When we saw the Skoda dealer, in ACT, I decided to go for a test drive with RS. Gosh! I fell in love so I got the car that day! Not to mention all the good stuff mentioned by Jake02 above, the car is just cool and fast! Bits and pieces of the safety standards installed really impressed me which other cars do not seem to have.
Cheers…
I have to admit I would nevver have even considered a Skoda-unlike alot of Aussies I knew what 1 was but unfortunately for the wrong reasons-I remember the cars they used to have. I paid no attention to them at the Motor Show for this reason. However, recently I decided the time had come to get a smaller wagon (I have a VX Berlina wagon with a V8) and had more or less decided on something like a Peugeot 307 or Mazda 6 or something along those lines. Boring but practical. I came accross a picture of a yellow RS and couldn’t take my eyes off it. I loved it’s looks and was impressed with the spec sheet. This one was a used car with only 12000 on the clock. It was bought in before official imports as a sample for Skoda so it’s not in Aussie spec-it’s missing the rear parking sensors and the rear electric winders. I’ve been driving for 22 years now without rear sensors and I don’t go in the back seat so I couldn’t care less. I went for a test drive and was impressed-bloody impressed. I’ve left a deposit and am now just waiting for finance to be approved. I paid $31000 drive away-a bargain as far as I’m concerned.
So much for boring but practical-the Skoda is anything but boring. I can’t wait to get it-I’ll post again after I’ve had it a few weeks!
Need Help.
I’ve been looking around at cars for the last few months,
never thought to look at the Skoda Rs 2.0TDI Wagen. I’ve test driven the Honda Accord Euro, Mazda 6, Alfa 159JTS Wagen, VW Jetta 2.0TFSI, BMW 320i and Subaru Liberty Wagen. We are expecting a child so size is an issue. (currently driving an old Golf)
I was very impressed and so was my brother inlaw. (currently drives the Suburu Liberty Wagen 2.5GT (rocket))
Sooo I have a problem, narrowed it down to the following.
*Skoda RS 2.0TDI DSG (needs to be auto and the 2.0TFSI is only in manual at the moment)
*Alfa 159JTS Wagen (expensive and alot smaller, fun to drive though)
*Jetta 2.0TFSI (I can get leather and sunroof for the same price as the skoda, however smaller)
any thoughts on what I should do??
DDP, getting the capsule in and out of a small car is critically annoying – led to the demise of my beloved astina, when our kids came along. You need not so much rear legroom, but distance between the top of the seat and the back seat (making sense?) because that is where you manouvre (sp?) the capsule. The alfa is out, I think. The skoda looks so bad you will hate it once you get used to it. I like the jetta, but there is the size issue. Personally, I’d try to get a 2005 – 6 V70R, which kills in performance, luxury, and size, and you could get for the money (I am biased – I had an S60R which I adored) but the caveat is that they are hard to park. New for that money, I dont really know, but I’d see what Mondeo has to offer in a hatch.
I agree with Pious-the Alfa is out. Capules are hard to get in and out and you need all the room you can get.
I’d forget the Jetta as well-mainly because they are a sedan. A wagon is easier to get the pram in and out of, as well as all the other stuff you have to drag around with kids.
I disagree with Pious about the Skoda being ugly-I love it but personal tastes are different and you have to make your own mind up about that. It’s a bit noisy though which is something you’d have to get used to. The back doors might even be a little small to get the capsule in easily. Remember it’s based on a Golf platform-as is the Jetta.
I’d reccomend with any car to take your capsule and pram with you when you test drive and try them out. Remember your wife also has to be able to get them in without too much trouble.
If you budget extends to Alfa territory, why not a Passat? Maybe even an Audi A4?
I love my Skoda-but my kids are well past the Capsule stage!
Good luck.
HI DPP
I traded my liberty 3.0r auto last august for a skoda rs manual .
My round town economy went from 14 l per 100 to 8 l , down to 6l in country .
manual is very short easy box , not like the hesitant sportmatic liberty box .
Evidently a 6 speed dgs is coming for the rs petrol model.
Handles very nicely , dont really see it as a downgrade on the awd jobby.
Build quality is better , just like my old golf mk1V .
Best bit is taking it down a lonely B road and giving the turbo its head , its a great drive .
cheers
The Jetta & Golf comparisons are way off…the BASE Jetta & Golf models are still priced WELL above the TOP Skoda model, with no phenomenal justification by way of improved quality, finish, or performance. The performance, value, understated class, & the fact that the RS are not all that common at present is what tipped the scales for me in deciding to flog off my A4 & get an RS sedan…the thing has a chilled glove box for flip’s sake!! As far as resale- Why buy something with selling it in mind? (unless leasing)…rather think of enjoying it! Car will still fetch a decent price- it’s raft of features will demand it!
Just bought a race blue rs special price from Bayford Skoda. Front and rear park assist, sunroof. Got the blue fin installed and jeez what a monster. Would eat up a MPS 3 anyday and would give a wrx a good run for its money. Amazing car and value. I cant believe why people arent flocking to the showrooms. For christs sake my mechanic had a look and said its better than the audi quality. Apparently stage 2 bluefin is a free upgrade. Its now got 238 bhp and 321 nm. Only $999 inc gst. installed at home myself with online download with the provided diagnostic tool. Dont think stage 2 necessary anyway, front wheels spinning already if not careful!