Skoda Octavia 2010 review

Until the (almost literally) Superb wagon arrived this year, Skoda was about as widely known as Rob Oakshott. If the re-aligned and re-priced Octavia line-up is unlikely to bring the major parties to their knees, it should win votes from buyers who for the first time can get into a European-made medium-sized car for Toyota Corolla money.

The Octavia range of liftbacks and wagons is Skoda’s mainstay, essentially a VW Golf underneath a body that’s larger and, according to European quality and reader surveys, better-built. Regarded over there as VW’s budget brand, so far it’s had but a token local presence under $30,000.

The whole range is getting extra fruit, including standard sat-nav in models from the 118TSI on up, but that’s the next rung. Most of us with less than $30K of our own money to spend are after a Mazda3 or Hyundai i30 – and that’s where the new 90TSI comes in.

VALUE

At $24,990 for the entry six-speed manual liftback, this is, on a metal for money basis, the best value European car Australian money can buy. As in “made in Europe”. It’s near twin, VW’s Golf Wagon comes out of Mexico and starts $2K dearer.

That’s where the wagon version of the Octavia starts too, with the same direct-injection turbo petrol engine but a load space (580 litres backseats up, 1620 down) almost 200-litres greater than the VeeWee. That’s important, because when you get to the car we drove last week – the $29,290 Wagon with DSG - the Skoda’s price advantage is a matter a few hundred bucks.

The 90TSI is no stripper, with Pyxis alloys in its chunky 15-inch Dunlop tyres, semi automatic air-con, multi-function steering wheel, trip computer, cruise control, remote locking and MP3. Essentially it’s compatible with Golf’s Trendline trim. A six-speed manual is standard; DSG adds $2300.

A new entry diesel range, with a 77kW/250Nm TDI engine, is available shortly, from $26,990.

TECHNOLOGY

This is where Skoda’s VW association distinguishes it from our northern neighbours. An old world four speed auto remains prevalent in this segment; the Czech gets a seven speed dual clutch jobbie, essentially an automated manual, with a meaningful sport and manual mode. It is ultra-efficient and – when on the move - redefines notions of seamlessness.

With direct injection and turbo charging, the Octavia’s 1.4 litre four cylinder is good for 90kW and 200Nm, all of it available down low where it does the most good. This is a drivetrain to make the others seem just a bit 1990s. It does insist upon 95 RON though

SAFETY

As is true of the latest Golf, the Octavia is a much updated and re-skinned take on the 2004 model.

No bad thing that - it’s still at the fore of its class - just that the Skoda’s four star crash safety rating carries from tests done on the original which lacked curtain airbags. Now it has them, making for six in all. There are also anti-skid brakes, a stability program, brake assist, an anti-slip regulator and a full-size spare.

DRIVING

If you still equate capacity with capability, you’ll rapidly forget that quaint notion. While this is the least engine of the range, the blown 1.4 is never less than adequate and almost always more than enough, making light of the wagon’s 1410kg kerb weight and generally matching the performance of 2.0-litre atmo engines while bettering them for consumption and emissions.

The 0-100km/h time is less than 10 seconds. One tires of hearing grown men whine about the abruptness of DSG off the mark and in low speed maneuvering. This characteristic is easily driven around, more so in this seven speeder than the older six, so harden up.

Coming from the Czech Republic, where the roads are among Europe’s poorest, Skoda’s ride/handling compromise is the best in the VW Group for our battered bitumen, infinitely more so than certain “prestige” Euros. Despite the weight gain, it loses little or nothing dynamically to the Golf, which is about as good as it gets in a family front-wheel-drive.

There’s a price to be paid in road and wind noise for the Octavia’s longer glasshouse, but aside from its practical application, the wagon is easier on the eye than the dowdy liftback.  If the wagon looks under-tyred on 15s, and it does, it feels so only when sorely provoked.

VERDICT: Middle European mid-sizer invades Asian hatch territory and carries off the spoils.