Review of the new Skoda Octavia Estate Range

The cat is well and truly out of the bag. Take a quick look at Skoda's sales figures for the last couple of years and you'll see that buyers all over Europe accept the brand and recognise it as offering Volkswagen group build quality for decidedly un-Volkswagen pricing. Of course, the sensible Skodas are still a far easier sell than those that appear to 'reach a little' shall we say, image-wise, and that should put the latest generation Octavia Estate on a very sound footing indeed.

Built on the same platform and sharing the same recent styling revisions as its hatchback stablemate, the Octavia estate eschews the current trend for long wheelbase estate versions and instead concentrates on offering solid value for money and practical interior solutions rather than headline grabbing gimmickry. A split/fold rear bench isn't the most exciting feature but it can free up a huge amount of space - some 1,620 litres all in - and even with the seats in place, there's 580 litres available to stuff with bags.

The load bay is not only large but also sensibly shaped. Instead of the wheelarch intrusion that so many estate models suffer, the Octavia Estate features a large, flat load space, carpeted and trimmed with rails so that heavy items can be slid into place. Lashing eyes mounted on the floor ensure that heavy objects can be firmly stowed and all the fixtures and fittings look beefy enough to last the course. The sheer attention to detail is impressive. The low loading lip is thoughtfully contoured so that heavy items can be rested there for a moment without danger of slipping. Beefy gas struts keep the tailgate well out of your way so you've got plenty of room to manoeuvre.

The rear overhang has been extended a little further to give the Octavia Estate better load capacity. Passenger room is similarly generous - and that's important since the prodigious luggage space of the original Octavia required rear seat passengers to pay in kind. The wheelbase of the latest model has been teased out by another 66mm, endowing it with admirable rear legroom even when long limbed adults occupy the front seats. Rear headroom is better than the swooping roofline would suggest, helped in no small part by a slightly more generous seat back recline than in many such cars.

"The Octavia Estate majors on solid value for money and practical interior solutions rather than headline grabbing gimmickry"

It's no secret that the Octavia rides on Golf MkV mechanicals but there was always the suspicion that Skoda's Volkswagen Group paymasters obliged it to tone down the 'surprise and delight' features on the Octavia so as to avoid impinging on the Golf. In its original form, this Octavia was on the unexciting side but the facelift, which introduced styling elements of the Superb executive saloon, has improved matters. There's a more imposing grille, topped with a thick band of chrome and the substantial headlamps flank it to form a band across the Octavia's nose.

The bumpers and side mouldings have also been tweaked and C-shaped light clusters adorn the rear. The Octavia is still no extrovert but it's a much more eye-catching prospect. The interior revisions have, if anything, an even greater impact. Enhancements to the switchgear, entertainment systems and trim send the cabin up in class a good few notches. The gap between this and the acclaimed interiors of Volkswagen and Audi products is not a big one.

The Octavia drives pretty much as you'd expect - assured, comfortable but nothing too sporting. These days, even the more comfort biased chassis are so competent that it takes a genuinely hamfisted development to result in a car that's no fun to drive. The latest Octavia benefits from Volkswagen's quest to endow the Golf chassis with Ford Focus-style driving manners. Even with the wick turned down a good few notches, it can't help but feel extremely capable when stitching a series of bends together.

And under the bonnet? Well, petrol is mounting something of a fightback after a good few years of diesel dominance and engines like the Volkswagen Group TSI units are in the vanguard. Three of these units are available with the latest Octavia. First comes a 105bhp 1.2-litre TSI, then there's a 1.4-litre TSI unit with 122bhp. Big deal, we hear you cry, but the advanced turbocharged configuration allows the 1.4 to produce its 200Nm maximum torque at just 1,500rpm for diesel-style low end grunt. It's a similar story with the 1.8-litre TSI but with 160bhp, this unit will feel more muscular all round. Pride of place in the petrol range continues to be occupied by the 2.0-litre TFSI engine with 197bhp. It powers the vRS models. Diesel should not be discounted as its light thirst and surging torque will still be just what the doctor ordered for many and the latest 1.6-litre TDI common-rail injection engine is right on the cutting edge of oil-burning technology. A 2.0-litre 170bhp version of this unit is offered in the vRS, while the older 105bhp 1.9-litre TDI unit is offered in entry-level variants.

VW Group's fantastic DSG dual clutch gearbox is available with selected engines. There are even all-wheel drive models with a Haldex electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that uses sensors around the car to determine the amount of drive needed for the rear wheels. If you can't run to a Volvo XC70 or a Subaru Forester, this Skoda estate 4x4 or Scout derivatives represent a very worthy alternative and they're a good deal more capable than that part time drive system would suggest.

Whichever Octavia Estate model you opt for, you're buying quality and capability. The value for money aspect is common knowledge. The secret's out.

TOP 5 OCTAVIA DEALS

The results below show the top OCTAVIA deals on buyacar

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Scout 4x4 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £18,763 Click for a Octavia Review	Save £2,697
Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD S 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £13,957 Click for a Octavia Review	Save £1,848
Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance 5dr DSG Diesel Estate
Price £17,983 Click for a Octavia Review	Save £2,562
Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD 4x4 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £16,248 Click for a Octavia Review	Save £2,252
Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD Elegance 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £15,709 Click for a Octavia Review	Save £2,161