Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: No data available
Frugal, refined engine, practical, well-built.
Not particularly agile, numb steering.
There are better-handling hot hatches, but as a 'sporting' diesel there are few credible rivals.
The Skoda Octavia vRS is pretty much the complete car: it's fast, economical, comfortable, roomy and handles reasonably well. So, why haven't we all rushed out and bought one?
Well, up until now the diesel-powered vRS featured VW's hideously unrefined 'pumpe duse' 2.0-litre engine.
The replacement, a common-rail direct injection 2.0-litre, could not come quickly enough for Skoda. It's faster, emits less carbon dioxide and is a touch more economical.
We drove the pre-facelifted vRS - this year the refreshed Octavia range will get new headlights to mirror the styling changes on the new Superb as well as complimentary front fog lights, new foldable door mirrors and body coloured bumpers and side mouldings.
There'll also be changes to the interior, including a new steering wheel, a stereo system and upholstery, making the Octavia vRS an even more desirable proposition.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Skoda Octavia vRS
wrote on 02 01 2009