MOTORING
Skoda
Octavia Estate
The
2017 has seen a revised Skoda Octavia range introduced to the market place. They have always had a class leading roominess and now with higher specifications, and most being available at reasonable prices, the Skoda Octavia should be a vehicle to be considered. If you are one that is prioritising maximum space with low running costs then the Octavia Estate, which I was privileged to test recently, should be on your bucket list, writes Bob Hickman.
It has a modern classy look, both interior and exterior, and in addition it drives reasonably well too.
Octavia in the UK is one of the Skoda’ s best selling if not the best selling, with over 20,000 + sales in 2016, this is quite exceptional for this particular vehicle. There is a range of engines, 6 in total, ranging from diminutive 1-litre petrols ranging through to a quite sporty 2-litre 230bhp and turbo diesels from the wonderful VAG market place are available as a 1.6-litre or a couple of 2-litres producing 150 and 200bhp.
What I like about all the vehicles in the VAG Group, and especially the Skoda Octavia, is being able to choose between manual or the brilliant DSG twin-clutch auto gearboxes. In addition the Skoda Octavia is also available in some engine derivatives as a 4-wheel drive. You really do have a lot of boxes that can be ticked.
There are S, SE, SE Technology, SEL and my particular derivative Laurin Klement, this is well towards the top of the specification and there are very few extras left to be included in this vehicle. It has wonderful 18” alloy wheels, and Skoda have fitted anti-theft bolts, which is a useful feature, the acoustic rear parking sensor complete with the additional rear view parking camera as an extra was an excellent facility on this long, wide, vehicle. I particularly liked the satellite navigation and the infotainment system, the 9.2“ touch screen worked brilliantly and at all times was easy and informative in its display. The Satellite Navigation especially was a delight to operate.
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