Skoda Octavia Estate (2013 - 2020) 1.4 TSI (150bhp) SE L 5d DSG Owner Review

The Skoda Octavia estate is the perfect compromise between quality and value. It drives effortlessly, accommodating people and luggage with ease despite its relatively compact dimensions. The boot with its very neat variable height floor, is huge. The petrol engine is lively - sporty even - yet it consumes surprisingly little fuel. In all these respects it is better than any SUV of comparable price. The tech is generous and easy to use with Apple CarPlay available, if the already good built-in Nav and Media apps don’t suit. Having the cruise control on a stalk instead of on the steering wheel is a slightly odd choice but it works well enough. On the downside the low-speed ride can be choppy and you both feel and hear the thumps over bumps and potholes. Road noise on the motorway is slightly louder than I’d like. The car has been completely reliable, yet has a slightly flimsy feel, making you feel you need to treat it with care (something I never had to think about with my previous car - a Volvo V70 estate). The seats too are ok but the padding is a bit thin and the adjustable lumbar support is less effective than in my old Volvo, Somehow the Skoda falls short of being a lovable car, but objectively it ticks almost all the boxes.