The Octavia cabin is comfortable and robust but the grey plastics are rather dull and the design a little uninspiring. However on the plus side the layout is simple and all the controls intuitive. Overall there’s a really solid feel to the cabin and the driving position is excellent too with plenty of adjustment in the steering column while the seats offer good support.

Revised models from early 2009 come with a newly designed steering wheel along with fresh stereo and air con controls, giving it a more sophisticated and modern look.

The seats in the Octavia are excellent and offer good support – which is noticeable on long journeys. Thanks to the compliant ride the Skoda makes a great long distance cruiser but the ride on Sport models can prove a little firm due to the low-profile tyres and 17-inch wheels. Rear passengers get particularly well catered for with generous head and legroom which are on par (and exceed) larger cars like the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra.

Wind and road noise are low, but the TDI engines can create quite a din at higher revs.