72 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 7 AUGUST 2019
s a used car, the Octavia
hatchback lives up to
Skoda’s reputation as a
great-value brand. Prices
of ne w one s h av e b e e n c r e e pi n g up
of l at e but u s e d e x a mple s a r e muc h
more realistically priced.
How about £9490 for a 2016/65-
reg 1.4 TSI SE L with 49,000 miles?
It has one previous owner and full
Skoda service history. Features
include a sat-nav, electric windows
all round, climate control, leather
and suede seats and parking sensors.
And that’s before we start talking
about the massive, 590-litre boot
(1580 litres with the back seats
folded) and generous cabin space
t h at c ome a s s t a nd a rd w it h e v e r y
Octavia hatchback.
The current model was
launched in 2013 in
five-door hatchback
and estate forms. It
didn’t look radically
different from the
version it replaced
but it was larger
and lighter, some
achievement for a
car whose predecessor
already dwarfed its
class rivals.
Four engines – two petrols, two
diesels – power the regular versions.
The 1.6 and 2.0 oil-burners were the
most popular. The 1.6 is a little slow
and has only a five-speed gearbox,
which is why we’d plump for the
lustier, six-speed 2.0. A 2014/14-reg
2 .0 T DI SE w it h 6 0, 0 0 0 m i le s c o s t s
£7500. Meanwhile, don’t pass on
the 138bhp 1.4 TSI petrol. It’s a
smooth unit and perfect for average-
mileage drivers.
More press-on types can choose
from a couple of sporty vRS versions:
a 217bhp 2.0 TSI (0-62mph in 6.8sec)
and a 181bhp 2.0 TDI (8.1sec). Both
make entertaining, value-for-money
holdalls, with a 2014-reg TSI at
50,000 miles costing £10,500. The
TSI’s power rose to 227bhp in 2016
and then to 242bhp in 2017.
In 2016, the 1.2 TSI engine was
replaced by the 113bhp 1.0 TSI. The
seven-speed DSG automatic version
is more economical than the manual
largely because it shifts gears earlierthan is sometimes comfortable. Still,
i f y ou r ide a of mot or i n g i s w a f t i n g
about in a large, practical and
understated motor of indisputable
quality, it’s worth choosing. Prices
start at £9300 for a 20,000-miler.
The following year (2017) was
facelift time, when the Octavia
received a new nose with a
larger grille and quad
headlights. Inside,
the infotainment
screen grew to 9.2in
on selected trims
and the Columbus
system, standard on
the top-spec model,
now boasted a wi-fi
hotspot. Across the
range, every trim could
now claim alloy wheels,
touchscreen systems, phone
connectivity, air-con and a post-
collision braking system. The new,
more efficient 148bhp 1.5 TSI petrol
e n g i ne a l s o app e a r e d at t h i s t i me.From launch to the present day,
trims have remained largely the
same, with only Elegance getting the
heave-ho. They’re underpinned by
S, SE, SE L and Laurin & Klement.
From time to time, SE has been
boosted by special versions called
SE Sport, SE Business and SE
Te c h nolo g y t h at br i n g lot s of e x t r a
kit for next to no additional charge.
They’re worth seeking out.
Octavias are excellent value, especially nearly new ones. John Evans is your guide
It prioritises easy-
going refinement
over sportiness
A
SKODA OCTAVIA
MERCEDES-BENZ A180 SPORT SALOON
£2204 deposit, £367 per month, 48 months,
8000 miles per year
This is a good-looking car with an interior worthy of the
three-pointed star. Highlights include two 7.0in digital
screens, a smart-looking steering wheel with touchpad
controls and some of the best front seats around.
AUDI S3 TFSI 300 BLACK EDITION AUTO
QUATTRO SALOON
£2859 deposit, £477 per month, 48 months,
8000 miles per year
To the A3’s blend of quality and comfort, the S3 adds
296bhp performance with the security of four-wheel
drive. A sporty exhaust note is the finishing touch.
AU D I A3 30 T F S I S P O R T SA L O O N
£2113 deposit, £352 per month, 48 months,
8000 miles per year
Classy, comfortable and beautifully finished, the A3
saloon merits its executive billing. There are more
entertaining saloons and ones with more rear space,
but in all other respects, you won’t find it wanting.
TOP SPEC PICK
LAURIN & KLEMENT
Flagship trim is named after
one of Skoda’s early acquisitions,
the Czech car maker Laurin &
Klement, and brings 18in alloys,
heated front seats, a 9.2in
screen and a Canton
audio system.
AS GOOD AS NEW
SMALL SALOONS BEST LEASE DEALS