- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
162kW, 350Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 6.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2013)
Skoda Octavia RS quick spin
The car: Skoda Octavia RS wagon
Price: From $37,840 plus on-road costs
Vital statistics: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo; 162kW and 350Nm; 6-speed auto; 6.6L/100km and 154g/km C02 combined; FWD.
What is it?
A family man’s hot hatch: a cheaper, more spacious version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, fitted with the same rorty 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
What it isn't?
Impractical. With a 588-litre boot and decent in-car storage, the RS balances performance and function.
What does it say about me?
That you’re growing up yet still young at heart. Or that you’re fond of the odd weekend adventure.
What colours does it come in?
There are seven colours to choose from, including the solid '‘steel grey’' hue which is exclusive to RS. The other six are candy white (solid), magic black with pearlescent effect, race blue, brilliant silver, metal grey and moon white.
If it were a celebrity who would it be?
Former international cricketer Andrew Symonds; a powerful all-rounder with solid proportions and a muscular appearance. Doesn’t mind throwing its weight around either.
Does it cost too much?
Not when you consider what else is on the market. The similar Renault Megane GT 220 Sport Wagon trumps the Skoda on price ($36,990 plus on-road costs) but there are only limited numbers around, while the Holden SV6 Sportwagon ($40,190) and V8-powered SS Sportwagon ($46,690) variants are a decent whack more.
Will it get me noticed?
The RS model isn’t exactly a traffic-stopper but it does have a reasonable street presence, with a European character about it.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
The oversized front disc brakes with red callipers are a good conversation starter, as is the electronic differential lock. Inside, the standard DVD player, 8-inch colour touchscreen and internal 64Gb flash memory are notable features. We also liked the split-fold seat system, which can be quickly retracted by two pull levers in the boot.
How's the cabin ambience?
Athletic yet understated. The RS gets distinguishing features from the regular Octavia, including faux carbon fibre inserts in the dash and door sleeves, alloy sports pedals and sculpted bucket seats emblazoned with RS badging and red inserts. The interior theme is otherwise sophisticated with a dark roof lining and soft white ambient lighting.
What's the stereo like?
A little tinny, to be frank. You’ll have no trouble hearing it over regular road noise but it lacks depth once you really twist the volume dial.
Does it go?
Emphatically so for a four-cylinder, but there is a caveat: the RS struggles at times to transfer all that power through the front wheels. Tramp your right foot and the traction control system can go into overdrive, particularly on greasy roads. On wide open sections of bitumen, and at speed, the rorty engine spins freely – especially when the sports mode gearbox setting is engaged. Zero to 100km/h is dispatched in 7.1 seconds, while the top speed is rated at 242km/h.
Does it like corners?
The RS sits 13mm lower than the regular Octavia wagon, so there is noticeably more composure through the bends. A little body roll is induced through sharper corners, but it is otherwise taut and confidence-inspiring. The standard steering package proved to be fairly versatile with good weighting and accuracy.
What about bumps?
The RS transfers surface imperfections into the cabin without being crashy or jittery. On country roads, the wagon recovered quickly from larger bumps and seemed immune to unwanted mid-corner kickback through the steering wheel.
What about service stations?
The RS can go remarkably close to its claimed fuel average of 6.6L/100km in ordinary driving. Flex your right foot and you’re likely to see closer to 10L/100km combined; still a respectable figure for a circa-1500kg wagon. Stop-start idle technology helps curb the Octavia’s fuel use in traffic.
Would you buy one?
I’d strongly consider it if I was on a $40,000 budget. But beware of the Octavia’s resale value: estimated to be worth just 46 per cent of its purchase price after three years.
The Spin
Dreaming of a sports car but need the practicality of a family vehicle? The new Skoda Octavia RS fits both roles perfectly.
The Translation
This is a ‘'family wagon’' you could easily get past the fiscal leader of your household – without cuts to vital services. It is budget week, after all.