BIGGER ASPIRATIONS (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Skoda's fourth generation Octavia Estate continues to go large. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the improved version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 65

The fourth generation version of Skoda's Octavia Estate gets a light refresh as part of this Czech model's mid-term update. It's still great value for money, equipment levels are strong and it holds up to 640-litres without having to fold the back seats. That's similar to the kind of space you could expect from much pricier Passat-segment station wagon models in the next class up.

Backgroundword count: 131

Do you really need a small estate car? The whole purpose of an estate car is its easy load lugging ability and to choose a small one is a bit like choosing a slow supercar or an ugly coupe; it pretty much defeats the initial point. But if you want a new car, you've to keep to a budget and you fancy a station wagon over an SUV, going for a decently-sized Passat or Peugeot 508 SW-class estate costs serious money these days. Which you might think would leave you needing to look at a late, low mileage decently-sized estate rather than something new. Before you do that though, check out the car we're looking into here, the latest improved MK4 version of Skoda's Octavia Estate. It might just surprise you.

Driving Experienceword count: 309

The subtleness of this car's mid-term is equally evident by the minimal changes made to the engine range. As before, the core of the range is made up of 1.5-litre TSI petrol or 2.0 TDI diesel engines, each with either 116PS or 150PS options. As previously, if you pay extra for the petrol unit with a DSG 7-speed automatic, you get the brand's mHEV mild hybrid tech thrown in. The diesel, which remains unelectrified, comes in lower-powered form with a manual gearbox and in higher-powered guise with the DSG auto. So far, there's no PHEV drivetrain available, but we expect one before the end of this car's life cycle. The previous entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine is no longer offered. Nor is the uprated 2.0-litre diesel in the vRS, though vRS customers do now get an upgraded version of the 2.0-litre TSI petrol unit - now with power boosted to 265PS, along with a sports exhaust that produces a more characterful sound. As previously, the vRS sits 15mm lower than the standard model on firmer sports suspension. It can't now be had with AWD though. Actually, AWD (once an Octavia calling card) is generally noticeable by its absence, though you can talk to your dealer about an AWD 2.0 TSI petrol variant with 204PS. As before, all Octavias use the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform - the evolved version of it engineered for the current MK8 Volkswagen Golf. Whatever flavour of Octavia Estate you happen to prefer, it'll come with plenty of drive assist technology, including a standard Adaptive Cruise Control system that uses the car's front camera system, GPS data and a host of sensors to drive the car predictively. So when 'ACC' is set, the car knows in advance about bends, roundabouts and upcoming traffic flow, plus this Skoda will adapt itself to speed limits as you enter them.

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