- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
110kW, 320Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 4.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2013)
Skoda Octavia 110TDI new car review
It's fair to say Skoda didn't get off to the start it had hoped for when it was reintroduced to the Australian market in 2007. Sluggish sales and a struggle to find clear air alongside the massive - and fast growing - Volkswagen brand with which it shares many components and back-end services were indicative of the challenges of establishing a new brand - and one with no fond memories in Australia.
But Skoda has carved itself a niche under the marketing moniker of "simply clever" and is now in what it hopes with be a growth phase, helped by the arrival of new models. Key to that is the mainstay of the brand, the Octavia, which arrived late in 2013.
Sharing much with the slightly smaller Volkswagen Golf, the Octavia has been repositioned with the arrival of this new model, bringing tempting price tags for a car with such pedigree.
What do you get?
Priced from $21,690 for the Ambition model, the Octavia undercuts the Golf, which is a brave move but indicative of the Volkswagen Group's plan to better separate the two brands. That entry-level Octavia also gets an engine reserved for more expensive Golfs.
It's hardly sparsely equipped either, with Bluetooth, tyre pressure sensors and a trip computer.
However, there are also signs of penny-pinching, with no cruise control, parking sensors, alloy wheels or rear side airbags (in standard form there's a still impressive array of airbags, with dual front, front-side, side curtain and a driver's knee airbag).
For an extra $2800 the Ambition Plus model adds those features and brings extras such as a colour touchscreen, fatigue detection and lumbar support for the front seats. A DSG twin clutch auto is an additional $2300 across the range, while a wagon is $1350 more and metallic paint adds $475.
There are also two option packs - Travel and Tech - that bundle features for between $1300 and $3900.
There are some interesting unexpected things, too, such as a boot mat and puddle lights in the door mirrors.
The flagship is the Elegance (from $32,190), which brings leather trim, satellite-navigation, cornering lights, and a nifty storage box under the front seat. By the time you add the diesel engine and wagon body we're testing here it's getting up there, at $36,840.
Despite the keen pricing, though, the Octavia is let down by below average predicted resale values, something that has been a theme for the brand; it's not unexpected and is in line with other brands trying to establish themselves.
What's inside?
There's a very obvious Volkswagen flavour to the Octavia's cabin, which is a good thing, if tending towards conservative. Ribbed leather seats are fairly supportive and there's good vision all round.
The dark, formal dashboard and elegant chrome-flecked knobs and buttons kick proceedings off, while high quality trim materials and a chunky leather wrapped wheel give it an upmarket feel. Crisp white-lit instruments and detailed central computer add to the ambience.
The central touchscreen is also a winner with big buttons for pre-programmed radio and phone numbers as well as an octet of menu buttons surrounding the eight-inch screen.
A deep, chilled glovebox, handy central storage area and covered console with arm rests looks after most accessories, while sunglasses can live in a binnacle in the roof.
Space is a theme throughout with decent headroom: even in the rear taller folk are well catered for with excellent friendly head room and knee room. While the cabin width ultimately foils plans for a trio of adults in the back, the Octavia is otherwise well set up for multi-passenger duties, even giving some mid-sized cars a run.
The boot is another sizeable space in the Octavia with a deep, broad cavity on hand for a week's- worth of shopping or a decent collection of holiday gear. Split-folding rear seats add to the practicality of a car that could easily fulfil the expectations of SUV buyers. Being a lower riding wagon its tailgate rises higher than most, but without running the risk of hitting the roof of a carpark.
Under the bonnet
The diesel engine is a familiar unit for Volkswagen and works well in the Octavia. An uninspiring engine note is largely muted out in normal driving and relatively hushed when revved harder. Indeed, good noise suppression, especially for wind and road noise, is evident in most driving conditions.
Matched to a six-speed DSG twin clutch automatic transmission the 2.0-litre is a gem on the move, using the generous 320Nm of low rev muscle and shifting gears almost seamlessly. While it also makes 110kW of power at 4000rpm, in most situations the transmission will have shifted well before the engine gets to that point.
The drivetrain is less impressive in city situations, sometimes re-engaging drive clumsily and jerking from a standstill. On a wet road it can even catch you out with some wheelspin before the traction control steps in.
The auto can also be too eager to shift into higher gears, something that occasionally leaves you wanting if you're darting into a gap.
Our car was fitted with the optional Tech pack that adds a self-parking system and other things, such as the choice of four driving modes - Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual, with the latter allowing you to choose different settings for the steering feel, throttle response and gear shifts, for example.
Eco mode may help you eke a few more kilometres out of a tank but it also makes for a lethargic throttle response. The Normal mode is more realistic, with the adjustable Individual an interesting setting for those wanting to tweak the feel. While claimed fuel use is an impressively low 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres, expect a still-good 7 or 8 around town.
On the road
The Octavia is well behaved on the road. Direct steering teams with impressive cornering grip from 18-inch Continental tyres to make for an athletic companion on the right road - or even with buzzing around the 'burbs.
The body is well controlled, settling well through bends and responding well to brisk direction changes.
Its only vice is comfort, which takes a hit - literally - over common city obstacles, such as grates or sharp joins between bitumen surfaces. While the vehicle is well damped, recovering expertly, the jolt takes the edge off the ride quality.
Verdict
By any objective measure the Octavia is arguably a better bet than the near-sibling Golf, at least until it comes time to sell it, at which point the less established nature of the brand is likely to reduce how much you'll get for the car. As a near-new offering, then, the Octavia is a brilliant choice.
Our rating: 4/5
Skoda Octavia 110TDi pricing and specifications
Price $36,840, plus on-road and dealer costs
Country of origin Czech Republic
Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power 110kW at 4000rpm
Torque 320Nm at 1750-3000rpm
CO2 emissions 129g/km
Fuel use 4.9L/100km
Transmission 6-speed auto, front-wheel-drive
Weight 1435kg
Safety 9 airbags; stability control
Volkswagen Golf Wagon 110TDI
Price $36,340
Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel; 110kW/320Nm, 6-sp auto; front-drive
Fuel use/CO2 emissions 4.7L/100km, 124g/km
Safety 7 airbags; stability control
Pros Elegant interior; great roadholding; flexible and efficient engine
Cons DSG auto can be inconsistent around town
Our score Not rated
Hyundai i30 Tourer Elite CRDi
Price $31,440
Engine 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel; 94kW/260Nm; 6-sp auto; front-drive
Fuel use/CO2 emissions 5.8L/100km, 151g/km
Safety 7 airbags; stability control
Pros Well equipped; looks smart; five-year warranty
Cons Noisy engine; luggage area not huge
Our score 3.5/5
Holden Cruze Sportswagon CDX Diesel
Price $30,190
Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel; 120kW/360Nm
Fuel use/CO2 emissions 6.7L/100km, 176g/km
Safety 6 airbags; stability control
Pros Good interior space; sharp pricing for the level of equipment
Cons Not as fuel efficient as rivals; some cabin noise
Our score Not rated