• Efficient range of petrol and diesel models
• Three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine returns 50.4mpg
• Performance vRS models also impressively frugal

Regardless of which engine you go for, all Skoda Octavias excel when it comes to running costs – even the vRS versions. If you’re after the best fuel economy then the 115hp 1.6-litre TDI comes out on top. When paired with the six-speed manual it returns a best average of 56.5mpg, in WLTP testing, and 53.3mpg when specified with the seven-speed DSG automatic.

The 150hp 2.0-litre TDI meanwhile, manages up to 55.4mpg and 54.3mpg in manual and DSG auto guises respectively. However, for those not keen on diesel power the three-cylinder 115hp 1.0-litre TSI engine is impressively light on fuel, claiming a maximum combined figure of 50.4mpg in manual form and 47.1mpg in DSG auto form.

Thanks to clever cylinder deactivation technology – shutting down up to two cylinders while the engine is under light loads – the 150hp 1.5-litre TSI petrol returns an official 48.7mpg, rising to 46.3mpg when partnered with the DSG auto. Impressive for a practical family hatchback capable of 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds.

Even the most powerful Octavia models and vRS variants do well on the economy front; the 184hp 2.0-litre TDI averages a claimed 50.4mpg, for example, while the 245hp 2.0-litre TSI can average up to 39.2mpg.

Green credentials

There were hybrid or pure electric versions of the Octavia on offer, but even so the conventional petrol and diesel engines still produce relatively low emissions.

Unsurprisingly the cleanest petrol engine is the three-cylinder 1.0-litre TSI, which emits just 106g/km of CO2 when paired with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Stick with the six-speed manual and the figure creeps up fractionally to 107g/km of CO2.

For the diesel models, CO2 is lowest on the 1.6-litre TDI, coming in at 103g/km of CO2 for the DSG auto and 107g/km for the manual.

From May 2015 to February 2017 the 100hp GreenLine edition of the 1.6-litre diesel emitted just 99g/km of CO2, so it’s not inconceivable that Skoda may at some point in the future introduce an eco-friendlier version of the current engine. Meanwhile, at 154g/km of CO2, the 245hp Octavia vRS 2.0-litre TSI produces the highest emissions.

Reliability

• Very little to be concerned about
• Skoda has a stellar reputation for reliability
• If you’re still concerned, get a Parkers Car History check

Skoda has a decent record for reliability and the previous Octavias have scored extremely highly in reliability and customer satisfaction surveys in the past.

We expect Skoda Octavia reliability to be much the same for this model, so buyers shouldn’t worry much at all, plus a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, much of which might be still current, to should keep your mind at ease.

There have been some minor recalls for the current Octavia, including one from 2016 which concerned the rear child locks disengaging without warning (the doors themselves remained closed). This affected cars built from November 2015 to April 2016.

Fortunately, Skoda offers a simple online service that allows you to quickly check the car you are looking at – provided you have its VIN to hand – to see if there are any outstanding recall issues.