Skoda Octavia

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE L First Edition estate
“As a car for the rigours of the everyday, the new Skoda Octavia is well-suited, thanks to great practicality and a comfortable ride.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range
Score: 9 / 10
“Improvements to the exterior styling, on-board tech and the quality of materials in the cabin help create a sharper look. The Skoda Octavia has been refined in all the right areas without compromising on space, practicality and its great all-round usability.”
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Model reviewed: e-TEC 2021
Score: 9 / 10
“The Octavia e-TEC is a fine first effort at mild-hybrid propulsion from Skoda. It drives smoothly, while the ride, refinement and practicality make a strong supporting case to the impressive efficiency on offer given the price.”
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Model reviewed: vRS Estate diesel 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS Estate diesel 2021 a very competent all-rounder delivering family-friendly practicality and decent performance, but it lacks the excitement and engagement that every great hot hatch should deliver.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid vRS iV estate
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s difficult to ignore the fact that the Skoda Octavia vRS iV doesn’t quite feel like enough of a performance-focused hot hatch to warrant the vRS badge. The powertrain’s character and the extra weight highlight the difference, if anything, between a fast car and a fun one.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic vRS estate
Score: 8 / 10
“We’ve yet to try the hatchback variant, but the latest Skoda Octavia vRS seems set to remain a left-field choice in the hot hatch market. It’s nicely finished, very practical and, while it’s not cheap, it is solid value.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel estate 115hp SE Technology
Score: 10 / 10
“We knew there was a five-star Octavia within the range – and this entry-level 2.0 diesel estate is certainly one of the picks of the entire line-up. It may be a base model, but the level of standard kit is very generous, while the diesel motor is smooth, punchy and incredibly fuel-efficient.”
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Model reviewed: vRS iV plug-in hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“Much like the rest of the latest Skoda Octavia range, the vRS iV is an appealing prospect. But approach it from both a practical and a performance angle, and it demands too many compromises. There’s a cheaper PHEV and enthusiasts will be better served by the conventional non-hybrid vRS.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Octavia has been refined in all the right areas without compromising on space, practicality and its great all-round usability. It may cost a little more to buy, but Skoda has remained focused in delivering an accomplished, versatile hatchback that is fit to take on the best in class.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual SE L First Edition liftback
Score: 9 / 10
“Key rivals have tampered with their winning formulas, but the latest Skoda Octavia is a great example of how to hone an already-successful product and just give people more of what it does well.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 9 / 10
“As an all-round, do-it-all family car, the new Octavia Estate is difficult to fault. Skoda has worked exceptionally hard to ensure the newcomer feels more premium and sophisticated than ever – and it shows.”
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Model reviewed: vRS range
Score: 9 / 10
“The perfect car for fast-moving families, the Skoda Octavia vRS adds petrol, diesel and hybrid options to traditional values of style and value.”
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Model reviewed: vRS TDI 4×4 2021
Score: 8 / 10
“All-paw punchy diesel Octavia doesn’t excite like the very best hot hatches but is still a compelling real-world performance car.”
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Model reviewed: Estate 1.0 TSI e-TEC 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia Estate a fine family car, with plenty of excellent interior qualities and practical touches everywhere.”
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Model reviewed: vRS
Score: 8 / 10
“Skoda’s popular niche offering, the Octavia vRS, still slips into most people’s lives very nicely indeed.”
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Model reviewed: vRS TDi 2021
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS TDi is probably the only affordable family car that this spacious that can deliver 65mpg on long runs while also being genuinely quick and more than just ‘quietly’ satisfying to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid iV SE L hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“Private buyers will still likely be better served by a petrol version, but if the sums work for you then the Skoda Octavia iV plug-in hybrid is a car that asks for no major compromise in return. Indeed, it’s actually a better car for having less power than the vRS, and much better value, too.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid vRS iV estate
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS iV has the performance but not the chassis to go with it. Neither the Octavia nor the vRS at its best.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic vRS estate
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want a new Golf GTI in load-hauling form, this is about as close as you’ll get.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The appeal of the Skoda Octavia Estate continues to centre on its outstanding versatility, cleverly packaged interior and overall roominess, rather than its performance, driving appeal or dynamics.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Octavia brings an interior that no longer leaves Skoda’s mid-sized model feeling quite so obviously placed on the bottom rung of the Volkswagen Group product line-up, and the car has swapped some utilitarian charm for an ambience that’s more traditionally alluring.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual SE L hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia is an excellent tool-car, decently refined, and easier on the eye than ever. For most owners, it will therefore feel like a four-and-a-half-star car. And yet, if you enjoy driving and want to feel some level of involvement, it’s more of a three-star car. Let’s settle on something in between.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE L First Edition estate
Score: 8 / 10
“Yes, it’s rather plain from an enthusiast’s point of view, but as a smooth, practical and competitively priced box-ticker, it hits its brief very convincingly indeed.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Estate
Score: 9 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia estate feels solid and reassuring on the road, and occupants feel well insulated from the outside world. It offers plenty of space for five adults, and the luggage compartment is cavernous.”
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Model reviewed: iV Estate
Score: 8 / 10
“Be prepared to fall for – of all things – a plug-in estate. Not exciting, but the Skoda Octavia iV estate is a classy, refined, a pleasure to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic vRS estate
Score: 10 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is a brilliant car, because the old one was brilliant and all the good stuff has been carried over. The biggest and riskiest changes (plug-in hybrid version, more powerful diesel) are yet to come, but it’s encouraging to see that the simplest version is still hitting home runs.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Other than the frustrating infotainment system – frustrating enough to lop off an entire usability star on our verdict – Skoda has pulled it off once again. The Octavia is still a no-nonsense family hatch that rides well, is pleasant to drive, delivers good value and is still as roomy as it always has been.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid iV SE L
Score: 8 / 10
“Though not as pleasant to drive as the standard car and quite pricey to buy, the Octavia plug-in hybrid’s low running costs and attractive company car tax rates mean it’s likely to be an attractive choice for fleets and businesses.”
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Model reviewed: vRS Review
Score: 8 / 10
“The way it manages performance with everyday usability and practicality is astonishing, and when you consider it undercuts just about all its key rivals for price, the Skoda Octavia vRS really couldn’t be easier to recommend.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 9 / 10
“Skoda has managed to build on everything that was great about the Octavia in the first place with this new model. It’s now even more practical, well-equipped and impressively efficient, too.”
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Model reviewed: vRS Estate range
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS Estate offers great performance, technology, space and choice.” (Sam Naylor)
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Model reviewed: Liftback range
Score: 9.4 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia Estate is a roomy and desirable family car with value for money on its side.” (Tom Jervis)
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 9.4 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia Estate is one of the most spacious family cars on sale, and it’s now more desirable than ever thanks to a more stylish design.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia Estate offers huge bang for buck if you want outright space and practicality. Just don’t expect it to excite you inside, or on country roads.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia is Tardis-like for families and comes with great engines. It’s not the most inspiring to look at inside, mind, nor particularly fun to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE L estate
Score: 8 / 10
“Tot up the list of standard equipment in the Skoda Octavia SE L and you have a very good value proposition. However, it’s the humbler trim levels that really deliver.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE First Edition estate
“Overall, the new Octavia feels and drives like a winner, but with three SUVs now in the Skoda stable, it will face a far tougher task to retain its position as the brand’s UK top seller. It has all the credentials to succeed though.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia Estate impresses with its all-round competence. It’s a more upmarket choice than before, offering an extremely comfortable and spacious cabin. While it may not be the bargain it once was, the Octavia Estate represents excellent value for money.”
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Model reviewed: vRS saloon
Score: 9 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS is a stealth jet in the car world – powerful but not shouty, it’ll fly through most people’s radar completely undetected. it’s the kind of car that’ll appeal to you if you have no interest in turning the school run into your own personal trailer for the Fast and Furious film franchise.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia has moved upmarket, closing the gap between it and the Volkswagen Golf. In some ways, it’s a much better choice than the Golf – you get more space for your money, while it’s difficult to tell them in part in terms of interior quality. You’ll save thousands of pounds, too.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback range
“The Skoda Octavia continues to be one of the most practical offerings on the market.”
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Model reviewed: Liftback range
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Stylish Skoda Octavia offers acres of room and bags of tech for Ford Focus money.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Skoda’s Golf rival is now level-pegging with the Volkswagen.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic vRS estate
Score: 8 / 10
“The generous equipment list, smart interior and copious amount of space all mean that the Skoda Octavia vRS is a car for all reasons, so the fact it comes at such an affordable cost – both to buy and to run – feels like a real treat. It may be more of the same, then, but that’s no bad thing.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual SE L First Edition liftback
Score: 10 / 10
“Skoda has managed to retain the old car’s utility while adding smart looks and an interior that combines sense and style. By comparison with the new Golf, the Octavia actually feels slicker, more user-friendly, more stylish, more comfortable, better equipped and more practical, all while costing less.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE L First Edition estate
Score: 8 / 10
“Price notwithstanding, the Skoda Octavia is a very impressive piece of kit. The perceived quality of the cabin is top of the class and the dynamics are good, with a fine ride and much-improved handling.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“You’d now recommend a Skoda Octavia over a VW Golf or Seat Leon.”
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Model reviewed: vRS
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia vRS has been put together so that folks can have their cake, eat it, and not get fat.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual SE Technology estate
Score: 7 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia SE Technology is your classic fleet special company car. It’s no-frills, like a Holiday Inn or a RyanAir flight. Only comfier. The one to go for if you’re spending any time on a motorway is the 2.0-litre turbodiesel. it’s not what you’d call muscular, but it is quite possibly the most economical car Top Gear has tested in 2020.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“You don’t need a crossover. You just don’t. An estate like the Skoda Octavia is cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, better to drive, more economical and just as practical as most of them.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“Although there’s an awful lot to recommend the Octavia vRS as a swift-yet-sensible family car, it just doesn’t excite enough in the bends to be considered a good hot hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Skoda Octavia offers generous space for occupants and a massive boot that dwarfs most competitors from the class above. It’s far more than just a big box on wheels, though; its plush interior, cosseting ride and frugal engines make it a fantastic car for covering big distances in.”
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