Freezing temperatures have resulted in the Octavia taking a little while to warm up in the mornings…

25 JANUARY 2008
Miles driven 19,245
Average consumption 43.0mpg
Forecast cpm 32.2p
Actual cpm 32.7p
Sub-zero early morning starts have shown the Octavia relatively slow to warm up and defrost. That has resulted in prolonged anti-green idling and much scraping/spraying of the estate’s large glass area, plus the wiping of screen moisture inside. We’ve also had the car’s first glitch; the failure of the offside front sidelight, a fact confirmed by a fascia warning light. Within 24 hours I’d noticed a similar fault on two other 07-reg Octavias. Otherwise, all is well with the Czech load-lugger, particularly the well-screwed-together interior.
11 JANUARY 2008
Mileage 6426
Forecast CPM 36.1p
Actual CPM 39.5p
Skoda’s see-through glass factory in Mlada Boleslav is not only highly productive but, judging by our vRS estate’s rattle-free and solid construction, also highly effective.

Main Report

Since late August, time and distance have not diminished the Octavia vRS estate’s appeal, although familiarity has highlighted some in-built shortcomings.

The 18-inch alloy wheels [1], a £450 upgrade, might add value when the Octavia is sold, but function is compromised by form in terms of unsettled ride quality, road noise and a wider turning circle. On long-haul motorway runs this lack of refinement means high volume CD playing – rather radio DJ blether or sports commentaries – is the order of the day. On the plus side, however, having wheels that are too big for the car compensates with ample reserves of grip, precise handling and excellent braking.

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The Octavia’s VW family diesel engine – the pragmatic 170PS alternative to the 200PS 2.0-litre petrol – is not the smoothest operator having been upstaged by more urbane Ford Mondeo and Renault Laguna III units, but combines muscular mid-range fourth and fifth gear surge with impressive actual fuel consumption. This computes to an overall 46mpg whatever your driving style – including spikes above 50mpg – which equates to a 550-mile range. These figures can only help Skoda’s aim of courting younger corporate drivers with the proposition that performance and cost-effectiveness are not mutually exclusive.

The vRS’s effective sports seats [2] and trim complement logical and gizmo-free ergonomics (although it lacks steering wheel-operated sound system controls) while the strong performance, capacious boot and good rear passenger space make this a car we’re still liking living with.