The Octavia is respected for its solid feel keeping in tune with true Skoda/ Volkswagen tradition. It also boasts one of the largest variant lists in this segment. Square-shouldered, with smooth, neat and typically German lines, the Czech express is a handsome, understated car. The snub rounded nose, simple and high waistline are other features that would make a VW or Audi badge look at home here; most of the bits come from these cars anyway which explains why it feels the most solid of all.

The Octavia is based on the previous-generation VW Golf hatchback — which explains the somewhat small cabin and huge boot. The cramped rear seat is one of its biggest weaknesses. The front seats in contrast are extremely comfortable and ergonomically brilliant whatever your size. Simple, clear instruments are easy to read and the interiors come across as very functional.

The upside of the cramped rear seats is that the Octavia comes with a huge 528-litre boot — passenger space was compromised for luggage space. The added flexibility of the hatch allows you, with the seats flipped forward and parcel tray, to move an entire house.

The Octavia has a number of variants, from 2.0 petrol through a 1.9 turbo-diesel and the scorching 1.8 turbocharged petrol.

The manual-only 2.0 petrol is a four-cylinder engine with a healthy 111bhp. A simple, two valves per cylinder motor, the iron-block Skoda unit acquits it well in everyday urban driving conditions. Midrange torque, especially at part-throttle, is quite impressive, the fat torque of the larger capacity motor providing an advantage here.

The diesel is more impressive — not too refined but powerful and very frugal. An 1896cc turbo-diesel, it has enough punch to keep up with most petrol cars, and makes for a superb long-distance tourer. The Octavia diesel managed an astonishing fourth overall in our recent fuel-economy test, with 12.7kpl in the city and an unbelievable 18.9kpl on the highway.

The new four-speed automatic is available on the diesel only, and this variant offers ABS as well. This car, although likely to be less frugal than the manual diesel, makes life much easier in the city for self-driven owners. The star of the range is the new RS, with a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine making 150bhp and 21.4kgm, as much as the diesel. This car will rocket up to 200kph with ease, and riding on lower-profile tyres and wide alloys, is a fantastic driver’s car, although ride suffers considerably in the city.

The Octavia rides superbly, whatever the surface or speed. The solid stiff chassis, long travel suspension and big tyres give the Octavia the perfect balance between ride and handling. The Octavia tracks dead straight over any surface, irrespective of the surface below, even the largest of blows from below only resulting in a loud thump but not even a twitch from the chassis.

Filed under: Skoda Cars in India