Skoda Octavia Combi 1.6 TDI > Reviews (1)

After selling our 2005 Skoda Octavia estate in February this year, I can now report my findings after three months ownership of the latest model. By the end of April, the car had covered almost three thousand miles, and the question that many of you may be asking is whether the new model is an improvement on the old one? There is no quick answer here, and to be quite honest, is quite difficult to answer really. There are certainly some super improvements in the styling but I must admit I would still prefer some of the things on the old 1.9 diesel that I traded in.

A great deal of what is good about the old Skoda Octavia comes under the saying “Don’t try to fix what isn’t broken”. In other words, a lot of the things about the old model were good, so why try and change it. Gradually, I am getting used to the styling changes on the newer model at the front end of the car, but if I must be honest, I still prefer the sharper lines of the older model. There are however reflective inserts in the rear bumper which does improve the looks of the car from behind. I also like the body coloured rubbing side strips, although I must admit that I have already had my first encounter with a rogue supermarket trolley the other day, which has slightly chipped the paint on the moulding. I simply love supermarket car parks – NOT. The small chip would not have shown on the paint free mouldings of the previous car. To people walking past the car, the chip itself is hardly noticed, but to me, because I know it is there, it seems to grab my attention every time. I am sure that every car owner goes through this feeling for every little blemish or scratch that may exist on their car. The wing mirrors on this model are also deeper. The appearance from outside does not seem to be affected too adversely, but there is a considerable improvement to the rear view vision when driving. I like the new style alloy wheels, but have found them to be more difficult to clean than the previous car. Perhaps I should clean them more than once every couple of months.

With regards to the interior, it is fairly similar with regards to seating and trim, as well as the main controls. Sitting in the vehicle for the first time, it brought back a certain familiarity to the previous car. The main changes can be found in the instrumentation. The audio and media system is a definite improvement, although I am not sure yet about the “welcome aboard” message every time I switch on the ignition. The touch screen is a great improvement and fairly easy to get familiar with even for an incompetent techie like myself. At first, I thought Skoda were economising on costs by not fitting a CD changer in the boot, until I realised that it was incorporated in the main unit. I have already put about 16 CDs onto a card that slots into place.

The Octavia in its Elegance trim keeps the audio warning system when reversing, which also mutes the radio so that you can hear the warning sounds. The whole system is incorporated into a visual display on the audio unit.

The other day, I checked how far I was away from the impact point when all the lines were lit up and the bleeper was going into overtime. There remained a good six inch gap so I am happy to rely on it. Getting out of our drive way can be quite tricky with the parked cars so having this reversing system is really useful to have.

The instrumentation has changed and I must admit that it is now necessarily for the better. I may be old fashioned, but I do like a speedo that has certain speed limits highlighted on the dial, particularly the 30 mph indicator. The current model goes up in 20 mphs so our speed limits are not shown. Because we occasionally take the car abroad, I do like to see the KPH figures on the dial as well.
It has a good safety feature to activate the clutch peddle before the ignition can be switched on, but it does take getting used to. A whole array of small coloured symbols light up when the ignition is switched on. If everything is working alright, they soon all turn off again. The door not shut properly light stayed on one morning during one of cold winter mornings, but unlike the older model, it did not indicate which actual door was open. Needless to say it was not the first door that I checked.

Another new feature on the new model turns on the front driving lights when the ignition is switched on and they stay on until the main lights are activated. This I think is a good feature as this is a legal requirement in many countries and helps the forgetful driver. Unfortunately, I was caught out late afternoon at dusk when I drove off to meet my partner from work. I picked up the reflections of the driving lights from the garage door and incorrectly assumed that the car lights were ok. Fortunately, some kind motorist gave me a quick flash from behind and I soon realised my error.

I know that to some I have made some bad criticisms about some fairly minor issues, but they are quite niggling. Overall however, the car is great, just as comfortable as the previous model and a joy to drive (well almost). I expected the driving experience to be very similar or even better than the old 1.9 diesel, but to be honest, it isn’t. The 1.6 diesel is quieter but the gear ratios have been stretched to achieve the economy figures. What this means is that the car has lost all the low down torque that was a feature on my old 1.9 and an important feature for a lazy drive who not like changing gear. The new Octavia does need a totally different driving style based on being in the right gear at the right speed. As we have only had the vehicle for a few months, we have misjudged this and have ended in a stall. Corners that previously I took comfortably in third gear now mean I need to change down to second.

The new Octavia does pull well and cruises comfortably. Acceleration is good as long as you are in the correct gear. As yet we have not done any really long journeys to check out the cruise control. I did a test on a short journey on the M4 and it seemed to operate OK as it did in the previous car.

To start off with, I was a little disappointed in the fuel economy figures. The car struggled to meet thirty miles per gallon around town and forty miles per gallon on a short run. However, this is improving as the engine settles down and currently achieving forty miles per gallon around town and over fifty miles per gallon on a run.

By the end of April, we had driven 2838 miles, bought 301 litres at a cost of £371 and achieved an overall figure of 42.4 miles per gallon. I also drive with the computer showing average miles per gallon and this actually encourages me to be light with the right foot. I must get round now to finish reading the handbook to discover some of the other joys about the ca..