New Octavia comes top in Whatcar Group Test

In the August 2004 Whatcar Magazine, the new Octavia faired well against the competion. The business group test consisted of the following cars.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI Elegance

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI LX

Peugeot 407 2.0 HDiS

Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D T3-X

Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTi LS

Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDi (130) S

The test results,

1st - Skoda Octavia

2nd - Toyota Avensis

3rd - Ford Mondeo

4th - Vauxhall Vectra

5th - Peugeot 407

6th - Volkswagen Passat

The test verdict, as quoted from the magazine.

This test has hightlighted how hight the standards in this class are and how closely the best of the bunch are matched.

The final decision was close, but the winner is the Skoda Octavia. It's great to drive and the cabin has all the space and class owners could wish for. The Octavia falls a little short for refinement and you have to pay extra for curtain airbags and stability control, but it is well equiped in every other respect and looks excellent value for money. We also expect it to hold its value better than most of its rivals here.

A pretty good outcome considering what the car was put up against.