The Octavia comes in both a wagon and a clever (there’s that word again) liftback/sedan, with both variants offering very favourable space and versatility for the class. The entry level Octavia is the Ambition 1.4-litre 103TSI available in either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG. Climbing through the range, you will find the Ambition Plus (our winner), then the DSG-only Elegance with a choice of 103TSI, 132TSI or 110TDI engines, with the latter diesel the most expensive. The wagon variant is around $1300 dearer in each equivalent model. Also available in both sedan and wagon is the RS sports variant with higher output petrol and diesel engine packages, and of course higher pricing.
The Ambition Plus includes rear side airbags, cruise control, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, alloy wheels and an eight-speaker infotainment system with Bluetooth and all the usual connectivity. Multi-collision braking (after-accident braking), tyre pressure monitoring are welcome standard features across the range, too.
The Octavia Ambition Plus boasts many convenient features, but does not score as well as some of the other vehicles in this medium category, but you can option up with a ‘Travel’ or ‘Tech’ pack, the latter consisting of items like adaptive cruise control and city emergency braking, bi-xenon adaptive headlights, automatic parking assistance with front and rear sensors and keyless entry and start. The Tech pack, when optioned to the Ambition Plus, will cost an additional $3900.
The layout of controls and switch-gear benefit from Volkswagen DNA and philosophy. Everything can be found at a glance and the combination of rotary knobs and buttons allows the user to easily distinguish between heating and cooling controls, audio and vehicle functions. The dash cluster and gauges have a simple and easy to read format and everything you need can be found without searching too much for it.
On the road, the Volkswagen-sourced 103kW 1.4-litre petrol engine offers a lot of heart, especially when coupled to the seven-speed DSG which really makes the most of the little engine’s abilities by selecting the right ratio every time.
Underpinned with Volkswagen design, the Octavia makes for a refreshing drive with a planted and confident feel under many different conditions.
The Octavia really held its own with the front-runners of this group, scoring competitively with last year’s winner, the Mazda6, for on road criteria. Steering and handling remain predictable and sharp, largely due to the weight savings over the last model.
The Octavia is the type of vehicle that lends itself very well for day to day transport, and at the other end of the spectrum makes a very pleasant drive out of a long haul – it’s a very hard car to get tired of driving. Even though premium unleaded fuel is required, fuel consumption of a claimed 5.2L/100km will have most owners smiling.
It’s a good result for Skoda and the Octavia this year – more than “Simply Clever”.
More Skoda Octavia 103TSI Ambition Plus Reviews: RACQ
