Not too long ago a Skoda with 1,620 litres of load space might have been described as a skip, but not anymore. The Czech company has started making cars you might want to own and, of these, the new Octavia is the best. Reviews of the car in saloon format have already confirmed its status as “the thinking man’s Golf” and so the estate version was always going to impress. But just how good is it? Referred to as “Combi” this car is a long drive off gorgeous. The sedate front grille and fussy bonnet are questionable while the back is predictable.
At the sides, however, the clean lines are enough to give it a handsome appearance. With the standard roof rails and the option of a decent set of alloys you can even conjure up an element of sportiness. The test-car came with tasty 17-inch wheels, which are worth the investment. Inside, you have the normal Octavia fare. A tidy dash does its job adequately and boasts a quality finish. It could do with being more exciting in parts and Skoda’s green interior lighting should be dropped in favour of something much cooler. The seating position in Skoda is quite low and back from the steering wheel, but comfortable. As this car is an estate, you would expect and get plenty of space. The saloon version bashes similar costing rivals in this area and takes a sideways swipe at larger family saloons.
The Combi is more than capable of holding its own. It’s bigger than the one it replaces with a normal load space of 580 litres. This rises to the figure mentioned in the opening line if you split and fold the rear seats. Top models come with a luggage retaining-net, covered compartments in the rear quarter panels and a ski-hatch while, you will find storage in the dash and under the front passenger’s seat as well as boot hooks in all Combis. To drive, it’s competent. The steering is somewhat vague, but it’s weighty and the car remains composed unless you push it. The ride on the test model was noticeably firm, but it did have those 17-inch alloys and the option of sports suspension. The engine was the 105 bhp, 1.9 TDI and this is a noisy, but otherwise solid unit. It was mated to the DSG gearbox, an utterly amazing piece of technology.
If you don’t know it, go and test-drive a car with one. You may not understand how the thing works, but you will wonder why other car companies have yet to copy it. With this set-up the Combi goes from 0-100km/h in an adequate 12.3 seconds and returns 5.8 l/100 km. And that just leaves the matter of the price, which, of course, is where Skoda excels these days. The Octavia in saloon form is excellent value and so too is the Combi. Just €19,545 will get you one, but be warned there are catches. The entry-level engine, a 1.4-litre lacks power and so the minimum you should go for is the 1.6-litre option. It’s the same story when choosing the specification level. Classic is the basic option, but it’s miserable. The secret is to be prepared to buy above entry level and that way you actually get more value for money. The test-car complete with the diesel engine, DSG gearbox and all the kit you could need costs an excellent €28,950. In this guise the Combi is a hell of a good car.
INFO
Skoda Octavia Combi 1.9 TDi
Engine 1896 cc, 105 bhp, 250 Nm torque
Boot Capacity 580 litres
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h; 12.3
Top Speed 189 km/h
Price €28,950
Transmission DSG
Economy 5.8 l/100km
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