Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: £16,966 to £16,966
Well-proven VW Group mechanicals, turbo power, solid VW feel, and discreetly sporty looks.
Handling not super-precise, dated feel to cabin, not inspirational.
The Octavia vRS has all the appeal of a hot Golf/Leon ... at a lower price. Thing is, it doesn't really have its own identity yet.
Skoda's Octavia vRS is the company's attempt to broaden the Octavia's appeal and gain more street cred amongst younger buyers. It has put Skoda back on the shortlists of hot-hatch buyers - and onto the shopping lists of a number of UK police forces - and it is now available as a useful estate, too.
Powered by the same 180bhp, 1.8-litre turbo engine found in the Seat Leon 20VT, Volkswagen Golf GTi and even the Audi TT, the Octavia vRS has lower suspension than that of the standard Octavia, wide 17-inch alloy wheels, a large rear spoiler, stainless steel exhaust, special badging and green-painted brake callipers (green is the colour of Skoda's rally team, which has campaigned the Octavia since 1997). Inside, it has bolstered leather-and-mesh two-tone seats, metallic-effect trim details and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift knob and gaiter. It looks the part - and it's good for 146mph, too.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Skoda Octavia Estate
wrote on 13 09 2007
wrote on 12 05 2007