Nice review. I had £50k to spend on a car 8 years ago. After a lot of thinking (resulting from far too much choice) I worked out that the VRS hatchback was the perfect car for me, so got the car and kept half the cash. It’s been the best car ever. Still running it now. A change in lifestyle means an estate would be a more versatile option nowadays, but that is the only thing I would change. Did you see that article recently that reckoned Skoda drivers had the highest average IQ? 😁😉
I did see that! Clever people buy clever cars! 😎😁 nice one, yep - tested out the hatch a fair bit as well, Really lovely car, only real difference is the slight extra height in the boot. Interestingly though, the hatch actually has a bigger opening to the boot than the estate. Pros and cons…!
It's called reverse snobbery. You pay a bit less, but you end up with a car that's every bit as good, if not better than some others. I've thought for a while that Skoda build quality actually seems superior to VW's now...... However, the old Skoda perceptions are still out there. When I had my Skodas, I was once asked "it is really screwed together right?"
I've read quite a few test reports of the Golf 8. It doesn't sound too clever to me. VW seem to have cut some corners on the new Golf. I've been convinced for a while now that Skoda build quality is topping VW's.......
I have exactly the same car, (age and trim level). Purchased second hand a few months ago. Great car.. But the infotainment is a massive problem! Constantly crashing and rebooting, multiple error messages as well on digital display. Seems to be a common issue with "first edition" mk4 Octavia's, I was wondering if you have had any similar issues?
@@mrstephenwells That's interesting! Mine has been back to the dealer 4x since purchasing it in Jan! Due back again soon! TBH the infotainment is a real issue in this car! Looks great and promises a lot but a few mths ago was driving me mad by constantly crashing. Skoda will NOT accept there is any issue, I have a case running with Skoda UK. I even contacted the previous owner who said it was like it since new and the reason he PX'd it! On my last visit to the dealer they have upgraded the software to version 1941- make sure this is done as it has definitely helped - its only crashed once since July but still comes up with a couple of errors on the digital dash every now and gain but no where near as bad as it was..
I've had 2 Octavia Estates, a Mk 1 and a Mk 2. Both were diesels. The Mk 2, with the 140 bhp 2.0 litre diesel was an excellent motorway cruiser with it's 6 speed gearbox. As you rightly pointed out, very practical, roomy and nice to drive. One of the things that did it for me is the fact that the Octavia is an "in between" car. It's larger and roomier than a Golf or Focus, yet smaller than the Mondeo/Passat class. A friend of mine had the same spec car as you, but with the DSG auto box. It was really quiet and smooth on longer trips.
Thank you Stephen, a very practical and straightforward review. I have been torn between the Superb and the Octavia, but after watching your review and a few others, there is no point, for me anyway, in paying more for the Superb. I am going for a 2 year old, low mileage diesel, 2.0 SEL 150 Octavia estate. Thanks again.👍👍
I've had an Octavia hatchback a month, same trim level and engine... and you know what? What you say is absolutely bob on. That's my experience too. An unfussy, well composed, easy to live with car that moves people and stuff around with aplomb. For a good price. I'm quite happy.
just ordered mine 1.5L dsg mild hybrid. doing the same job, in vidéo production, had a big chill when i saw the trunk filled with Apputure light. thanks for making me happy of my choice :D
Good review, tis a great car, especially the 1.5 tsi se l, you will want for nothing more. Shame the video was out of focus in a couple of shots and the highlights blown out 🤣🤣🤣
I am in the market for a new estate and thank you for making this video. I am also on the market for a good fleece and I really like yours, where did you get it from lol
Hahaha thanks! Maybe I should break out into clothes videos...! I grabbed this in a sale from mountain warehouse in the UK... I know patagonia do similar ones... Enjoy whichever car/fleece you buy!
good review, well done. nice to see someone say something about how wide the boot is and usable space rather than just meaningless litreage. Good to know you can get rear view cameras though these are not mentioned currently on the website, maybe the current chip shortages. No PHEVS being made either
Thanks! Yeah... since this video i've tried contacting Skoda about installing a rear-view camera, and they're currently only available as factory-fitted options when speccing a new car, and chip shortages might be affecting all that!
Works well , no ! Mine was terminated due to the infotainment probs and other serious safety probs. I had a 70 plate VRS and it was plagued with probs, screen freeze for days, no access to heating , ventilation. Mechanically sound but the software was F-d
@@mrstephenwells Hi , i went for a Hyundai Tucson N line S with 230 bhp in full hybrid. Everything works , v smooth , v high MPG around town up to 70mpg using the electric motor. I did like the VRS and it got a lot of admirers in its meteor grey discontinued colour but the car calling the emergency services on a weekly basis plus the myriad of other software glitches was too much. Always check the software version of yer Octy , if its higher than v 1806 ,you probably are ok.
Great review..I’ve have the 2l tdi hatch version which I bought in September 22,my last three trips consisting of rural and motorway driving achieving over 70 mpg without trying..and it gives me a range of well over 600 miles why choose an ev?
I've had an Octavia 2.0 litre Tdi estate Peter. I can't recall getting 70 mpg, but mine was certainly good on fuel. However, it doesn't come close to the running costs of my Kia eNiro. A full charge at home costs me £7 to £8, and does me for a week and a bit. The per mile cost is around 3.5p. I pay 10p per kwh on my Octopus Intelligent tariff. I can manage 1000 miles of town and general driving for £40....... EV servicing costs are way less too. My service last year was £68.
Superb is slightly bigger in every way, but the car hasn’t been updated as recently as the Octavia has (Think there’s meant to be a new superb coming in the next 12 months) so the Octavia is a more recent design. But yeah, more boot space (slightly), more rear leg room, and a longer overall car.
The Superb is (I think) on the Passat floor-pan and so is larger than the Octavia by a fair margin. The Superb has as much, if not more rear passenger space than a Merc E Class. My neighbour bought a new Superb about 18 months back. It's a really nice car. Electric leather heated seats, the lot. As Stephen says, there is a new Superb in the pipeline....... You could hang back for that Alex, or get a good deal on the current model, possibly by saying you know there's a new one on the way......
If this had a more upright rear (boxy shape) it would probably be my ideal next car. Trouble is that all car makers are going "lifestyle". If only there was a modern equivalent of the Volvo V70, Vauxhall Carlton estate, Ford Granada estate.....
Great review! Last week I purchased a 2019 VRS Estate to replace my C Class Estate as my puppy had out grown it! The boot height is what decided it as we didn't want an SUV. The driving experience is amazing and the fuel economy is as good as the Merc diesel auto. The LED headlights are outstanding and I like it's Q Car looks. Only downside is the standard spec is a bit low, front parking sensors, power fold mirrors and heated front seats would have been perfect.
Oh cool! They’re great cars, especially for the low(ish) price tag. Yeah, think the cars are definitely lower specced than the equivalent cars from more premium brands, but it’s just such a good deal! Enjoy the VRS
Thanks the driver involvement out weights the spec! I've had many SAAB's and I think they are very similar. Would you consider doing some update videos on running costs etc?
Cornish Rider. You can have front parking sensors fitted. Try looking at Dolphin Parking Sensors. They have a team of mobile fitters who can fit front or rear (or both) parking sensors, along with dashcams and other things, all at your home address. The last time I had some fitted, the cost - all fitted - was around £150 for rear sensors. They can also supply colour coded sensors in manufacturers colours......
@@mrstephenwells I'm a self-confessed car nerd so please excuse my interest 🙂 I was thinking long term reliability and durability, servicing costs, Skoda dealer service (if you use them), things you have learned to like/dislike etc. over time.... if you feel inclined to do a video update some day, thank you. 🙂
Why? Because 2.0 TSI 4x4 DNNA ENGINE AND HALDEX6. Can be tuned 302-304hp. 😊
Nice review..well done
Thanks!
As a musician, I'm on my third Octavia hatchback. Big, fast and reliable!
They are fantastic aren’t they
Which instrument, harp?
Had my eye on this for a while. Looks great as an estate too.
It’s really great. Highly recommend! You thinking hatch?
@@mrstephenwells no estate definitely
Nice review. I had £50k to spend on a car 8 years ago. After a lot of thinking (resulting from far too much choice) I worked out that the VRS hatchback was the perfect car for me, so got the car and kept half the cash. It’s been the best car ever. Still running it now. A change in lifestyle means an estate would be a more versatile option nowadays, but that is the only thing I would change. Did you see that article recently that reckoned Skoda drivers had the highest average IQ? 😁😉
I did see that! Clever people buy clever cars! 😎😁 nice one, yep - tested out the hatch a fair bit as well, Really lovely car, only real difference is the slight extra height in the boot. Interestingly though, the hatch actually has a bigger opening to the boot than the estate. Pros and cons…!
It's called reverse snobbery. You pay a bit less, but you end up with a car that's every bit as good, if not better than some others. I've thought for a while that Skoda build quality actually seems superior to VW's now...... However, the old Skoda perceptions are still out there. When I had my Skodas, I was once asked "it is really screwed together right?"
Great review!
Thanks!
Good review - I have the same albeit the hatch - much prefer it to a Golf 8 and the TSI 150 is zippy. I get 47.8 MPG.
Thanks! Yeah the engine is great. Glad you like yours!
I've read quite a few test reports of the Golf 8. It doesn't sound too clever to me. VW seem to have cut some corners on the new Golf. I've been convinced for a while now that Skoda build quality is topping VW's.......
Almost thought it had a desert sand finish but nope! Did they laminate that thing!? 😂 They got that El Camino Estate package.
👍🍻
There are no new shape Octavia's available at motorpoint... which tells you how sought after they have become... absolute class motor
Yeah they get grabbed quickly! Got mine from a Skoda dealer
Excellent real world review of a really good car, thank you.
Much appreciated!
Thanks man! This is helpful!
I have exactly the same car, (age and trim level). Purchased second hand a few months ago. Great car.. But the infotainment is a massive problem! Constantly crashing and rebooting, multiple error messages as well on digital display. Seems to be a common issue with "first edition" mk4 Octavia's, I was wondering if you have had any similar issues?
Mines been crashing a LOT recently! You found any kind of fix?
@@mrstephenwells
That's interesting! Mine has been back to the dealer 4x since purchasing it in Jan! Due back again soon! TBH the infotainment is a real issue in this car! Looks great and promises a lot but a few mths ago was driving me mad by constantly crashing. Skoda will NOT accept there is any issue, I have a case running with Skoda UK. I even contacted the previous owner who said it was like it since new and the reason he PX'd it!
On my last visit to the dealer they have upgraded the software to version 1941- make sure this is done as it has definitely helped - its only crashed once since July but still comes up with a couple of errors on the digital dash every now and gain but no where near as bad as it was..
I agree it's the only car out there that I changed my beloved rover 75 for , a sensible car for sensible people
Definitely!
Skoda superb bigger I'm on my fourth one, they are superb....
I've had 2 Octavia Estates, a Mk 1 and a Mk 2. Both were diesels. The Mk 2, with the 140 bhp 2.0 litre diesel was an excellent motorway cruiser with it's 6 speed gearbox. As you rightly pointed out, very practical, roomy and nice to drive. One of the things that did it for me is the fact that the Octavia is an "in between" car. It's larger and roomier than a Golf or Focus, yet smaller than the Mondeo/Passat class. A friend of mine had the same spec car as you, but with the DSG auto box. It was really quiet and smooth on longer trips.
Ah amazing, they’re great cars.
All the VW based range are pretty good my self I've got the golf estate not quite as big as the octavia but big enough
Thanks that's the video I've been looking for, just got same spec as yours, when I test drove it it blew me away with just how comfortable it is
@@simonhuss9619 ah fantastic. Yeah its lovely to drive! Did you go for the estate or hatch?
I’ve just purchased one and I’m collecting later today .It’s 2LSEL TDI Octavia estate diesel Automatic One year old and I can’t wait.
fantastic, enjoy it! Excellent car.
Thank you Stephen, a very practical and straightforward review. I have been torn between the Superb and the Octavia, but after watching your review and a few others, there is no point, for me anyway, in paying more for the Superb. I am going for a 2 year old, low mileage diesel, 2.0 SEL 150 Octavia estate. Thanks again.👍👍
Fantastic! Really glad this was helpful, I’m sure you’ll love the car, still enjoying mine!
I've had an Octavia hatchback a month, same trim level and engine... and you know what? What you say is absolutely bob on. That's my experience too. An unfussy, well composed, easy to live with car that moves people and stuff around with aplomb. For a good price. I'm quite happy.
They are excellent aren’t they? Highly underrated
What color ist this? Looks Like smaragd. Dont think we can Order this in Germany. Or was this a Special series?
This is the metallic grey
@@mrstephenwellsreally ? then it might be some Green reflectations. The Car Looks Green in a Lot of scenes.
@@Stefan-q2f yeah it does on camera, strange! Just grey!
just ordered mine 1.5L dsg mild hybrid. doing the same job, in vidéo production, had a big chill when i saw the trunk filled with Apputure light. thanks for making me happy of my choice :D
Oh cool! Ah yeah, it’s perfect for that! Enjoy it!
Good review, tis a great car, especially the 1.5 tsi se l, you will want for nothing more. Shame the video was out of focus in a couple of shots and the highlights blown out 🤣🤣🤣
Hahaha thanks 😂
This is why I want an Estate car, and as a filmmaker, the Skoda was on my mind. Since the Toyota looks so boring
I highly recommend! Go for it!
I am in the market for a new estate and thank you for making this video. I am also on the market for a good fleece and I really like yours, where did you get it from lol
Hahaha thanks! Maybe I should break out into clothes videos...! I grabbed this in a sale from mountain warehouse in the UK... I know patagonia do similar ones... Enjoy whichever car/fleece you buy!
Really good review.
Thanks!
good review, well done. nice to see someone say something about how wide the boot is and usable space rather than just meaningless litreage. Good to know you can get rear view cameras though these are not mentioned currently on the website, maybe the current chip shortages. No PHEVS being made either
Thanks! Yeah... since this video i've tried contacting Skoda about installing a rear-view camera, and they're currently only available as factory-fitted options when speccing a new car, and chip shortages might be affecting all that!
Works well , no ! Mine was terminated due to the infotainment probs and other serious safety probs. I had a 70 plate VRS and it was plagued with probs, screen freeze for days, no access to heating , ventilation. Mechanically sound but the software was F-d
Oh right! What did you end up changing it for?
@@mrstephenwells Hi , i went for a Hyundai Tucson N line S with 230 bhp in full hybrid. Everything works , v smooth , v high MPG around town up to 70mpg using the electric motor. I did like the VRS and it got a lot of admirers in its meteor grey discontinued colour but the car calling the emergency services on a weekly basis plus the myriad of other software glitches was too much. Always check the software version of yer Octy , if its higher than v 1806 ,you probably are ok.
Wow that is a lot of space!
Skoda cars: where strength and reliability meet the road
100% !
Great review..I’ve have the 2l tdi hatch version which I bought in September 22,my last three trips consisting of rural and motorway driving achieving over 70 mpg without trying..and it gives me a range of well over 600 miles why choose an ev?
That’s great, it’s a fantastic car.
I've had an Octavia 2.0 litre Tdi estate Peter. I can't recall getting 70 mpg, but mine was certainly good on fuel. However, it doesn't come close to the running costs of my Kia eNiro. A full charge at home costs me £7 to £8, and does me for a week and a bit. The per mile cost is around 3.5p. I pay 10p per kwh on my Octopus Intelligent tariff. I can manage 1000 miles of town and general driving for £40....... EV servicing costs are way less too. My service last year was £68.
Great review ❤ Nice colour as well. Octavia and the Superb are great practical cars.
They really are. thanks for the comment!
Are Superbs based on the same chassis as the Octavia? Are they very similar or are there any major pros/cons? am looking at both but can't decide
Superb is slightly bigger in every way, but the car hasn’t been updated as recently as the Octavia has (Think there’s meant to be a new superb coming in the next 12 months) so the Octavia is a more recent design. But yeah, more boot space (slightly), more rear leg room, and a longer overall car.
The Superb is (I think) on the Passat floor-pan and so is larger than the Octavia by a fair margin. The Superb has as much, if not more rear passenger space than a Merc E Class. My neighbour bought a new Superb about 18 months back. It's a really nice car. Electric leather heated seats, the lot. As Stephen says, there is a new Superb in the pipeline....... You could hang back for that Alex, or get a good deal on the current model, possibly by saying you know there's a new one on the way......
If this had a more upright rear (boxy shape) it would probably be my ideal next car. Trouble is that all car makers are going "lifestyle". If only there was a modern equivalent of the Volvo V70, Vauxhall Carlton estate, Ford Granada estate.....
Yeah definitely! Guess the SUV line are more in that direction
If you want even *more* room Christopher, look at the Superb estate. More rear seat space than a Merc E class, and a truly massive load bay.....
@Brian Too big for my garage, unfortunately, and it still looks wrong for an Estate with that sloping rear
Great review, loved the format focusing on living with the car
Thanks Pete!
Get the 150 hp dual clutch. 90+ mpg motorway. 70+ mpg overall.
Is that diesel?
@@mrstephenwells.yes.
Is Skoda Octavia MORE reliable than its Volkswagen equivalent?
They’re pretty much the same car underneath, so very similar parts + reliability!
if you read most of the popular customer satisfaction surveys, then yes! My 4 Skodas were all great cars.
Great review! Last week I purchased a 2019 VRS Estate to replace my C Class Estate as my puppy had out grown it! The boot height is what decided it as we didn't want an SUV. The driving experience is amazing and the fuel economy is as good as the Merc diesel auto. The LED headlights are outstanding and I like it's Q Car looks. Only downside is the standard spec is a bit low, front parking sensors, power fold mirrors and heated front seats would have been perfect.
Oh cool! They’re great cars, especially for the low(ish) price tag.
Yeah, think the cars are definitely lower specced than the equivalent cars from more premium brands, but it’s just such a good deal! Enjoy the VRS
Thanks the driver involvement out weights the spec! I've had many SAAB's and I think they are very similar. Would you consider doing some update videos on running costs etc?
@@cornishrider for sure, what kind of things would you find useful/interesting?
Cornish Rider. You can have front parking sensors fitted. Try looking at Dolphin Parking Sensors. They have a team of mobile fitters who can fit front or rear (or both) parking sensors, along with dashcams and other things, all at your home address. The last time I had some fitted, the cost - all fitted - was around £150 for rear sensors. They can also supply colour coded sensors in manufacturers colours......
Good car inderdaad. But the software is hopeless
Regular updates though!
@@mrstephenwells True but in NL the let you pay for the updates you need to keep your mib3 running. But the car is perfect mib3 is not.
Wish these were available in Canada.
Ah yeah, should be available everywhere for sure!
That was one of the best reviews ive seen, thanks! I'm seriously thinking of getting one soon.
Ah thanks so much. You’ll enjoy it!
Nice Choice love mine 👌👌
Thanks man, great car!
Very nice real video
Thanks, Really appreciate that!
Good review! 👌
Thanks! Hope it helped
I test drove one, I felt like in a wobbly boat. Pass. Ford Focus all the way.
Fair enough!
Great review Stephen. Your car looks fab. 🙂
Thanks very much!
@@mrstephenwells Maybe you could do a follow-up when the miles have piled on a bit. Happy motoring.
@@AndrewKNI is there anything in particular you’d be interested to have an update on?
@@mrstephenwells I'm a self-confessed car nerd so please excuse my interest 🙂 I was thinking long term reliability and durability, servicing costs, Skoda dealer service (if you use them), things you have learned to like/dislike etc. over time.... if you feel inclined to do a video update some day, thank you. 🙂
Great idea! Perhaps in a few months once I’ve had it for a while, I’ll bring an update!