Skoda Octavia vRS: Review
Golf GTI-based Octavia vRS sounds great, sadly we booked in a GTD-based TDI one by mistake!
Sounds a bit diesely ... oh, hang on
What may have augmented the Golf's sense of urgency was its DSG 'box. The Octavia came with the six-speed manual which, whilst a surprisingly pleasant thing to use with a short and positive shift, won't change gear as fast as the auto. Unless every last tenth of a second or mpg is important though, the manual is more than acceptable. It's really quite nice in fact.
All it needs to finish look are some blue bulbs...
Therefore, whilst a non-switchable ESC and entirely predictable dynamics hinder the Golf as a hot hatch, in the Octavia it's arguably less relevant. Instead, it can be really enjoyed up to eight tenths; it turns in keenly, the brakes feel strong and there's greater agility than that chunky silhouette would suggest. And you can turn the 'automated' steering function off, thankfully.
Really push it and the Octavia comes unstuck a little, which is only to be reasonably expected. Though equipped with the VW's XDS 'electronic differential lock', it can be found wanting for traction if 280lb ft is too readily deployed out of a corner. This is where the Golf, with its more advanced XDS+ system, can feel sharper and more planted as it gets power down more smoothly.
Lifestyle stuff handled with room to spare
Traditional family hatches and estates aren't exactly en vogue in 2013, so finding a rival for the Octavia vRS diesel is quite a challenge. The RWD Germans are of course much more expensive, and even the Volvo V60 starts at £29K in D4 guise. Its nearest rival is perhaps the 175hp Mazda 6 estate, but even that's £3,000 more at RRP.
As with the first two generations, the Octavia vRS offers an enjoyably alternative take on familiar VW Group underpinnings. It isn't thrill-a-minute, it never has been, but it will deliver everything you expect of it and possibly a fair bit more. For not an awful lot of money, what more could be asked of it? Now, about that petrol version we meant to get in...
SKODA OCTAVIA VRS
Engine: 1,968cc 4-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive (six-speed DSG optional)
Power (hp): 184@3,500-4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,750-3,000rpm
0-62mph: 8.2sec
Top speed: 143mph
Weight: 1,470kg
MPG: 61.4 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 119g/km
Price: £24,060 (standard), £25,775 (as tested including £1,350 for Columbus touchscreen sat-nav, £150 for Black design package, £140 for Sunset from B-pillar back and £75 for space saver)
The thing which made the Octy interesting was that it was notably cheaper than the competition - but it had drawbacks which - at least in earlier models - included a lack of backseat space (it's a Golf, after all)
I don't like to say "£25K for a Skoda is bonkers" - but it is...
The thing which made the Octy interesting was that it was notably cheaper than the competition - but it had drawbacks which - at least in earlier models - included a lack of backseat space (it's a Golf, after all)
I don't like to say "£25K for a Skoda is bonkers" - but it is...
The mk2 had significantly more back-seat space than a Golf (or indeed than a 3-series/A4/C-class) but less than a Mondeo or Passat. I'd imagine the mk3 is the same.
£24000 is a lot when i paid about £18100 for a brand new previous generation vrs diesel estate with about £800 of options back in march 2013.
If the old vRS didnt have the VAT Deal the list price has only gone up about 800 if i remember rightly and you get more equipment as standard compared to the previous model as well so really its still much cheaper than its VW counterparts....
If it was all about "price" you'd be buying 2nd hand not brand new, which means that when you bought your vRS you were either to cheap to buy a better new car or realised that there is no point buying a 2nd hand VW/Audi when you can have a brand new skoda for the same price....
Now tell me im wrong....
p.s. this isnt a dig at you but having worked for almost all factions of the VAG i do know the customer demographic very well.....
£24000 is a lot when i paid about £18100 for a brand new previous generation vrs diesel estate with about £800 of options back in march 2013.
If the old vRS didnt have the VAT Deal the list price has only gone up about 800 if i remember rightly and you get more equipment as standard compared to the previous model as well so really its still much cheaper than its VW counterparts....
If it was all about "price" you'd be buying 2nd hand not brand new, which means that when you bought your vRS you were either to cheap to buy a better new car or realised that there is no point buying a 2nd hand VW/Audi when you can have a brand new skoda for the same price....
Now tell me im wrong....
p.s. this isnt a dig at you but having worked for almost all factions of the VAG i do know the customer demographic very well.....
At the time the Golf GTD didn't compare on price or size. Very little discount, and a bug bear of mine was no cruise control, part leather seats, or the decent head unit as standard like the Octavia. Would have priced it up even higher for like for like equipment (not necessarily the overall quality).
At the time the Golf GTD didn't compare on price or size. Very little discount, and a bug bear of mine was no cruise control, part leather seats, or the decent head unit as standard like the Octavia. Would have priced it up even higher for like for like equipment (not necessarily the overall quality).
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