http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/octavia/62748/skoda-octavia-vs-rivals?utm_campaign=autoexpress_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

So the Golf is smaller and more expensive yet AE deem it better than the Octavia? Surely the Octy should win based on value for money.

I would rather take an opinion from someone on here rather than some of the drivel that AE come out with!

^ +1. OK so the residual may be higher but at the end of the day surely the Octavia wins this with the abundance of space and price?

Off on a test drive day soon so will post my thoughts.

Totally and utterly laughable review on the basis of the Golf being "almost as practical".

No it ******* isn't - the boot is TINY!!

I can't believe the Golf won - you would be paying 3-4 grand more in most instances. Its a no brainer, the Octavia should win by a country mile. A question, does anyone know what 'Golus' alloys look like?

Regards

Richie

golus are 18in five spoke ( they are in the german brochure ) im sure its those that are featured on the white vrs pics that are on another thread

I've got a Golf mk6, or is it 7 next week for a week. I'll report back on whether it's better than my Octy or not. I can say now that the boot space will be rubbish.

Surely the Octavia is getting a bit big (dimension wise) for the sector it is being aimed at? The golf is more practical because it is more compact IMO.

Depends on your viewpoint I guess. More space = more practical to me.

Depends on your viewpoint I guess. More space = more practical to me.

+1.

As for the Octavia itself, and in fact all manufacturers, there cars are split in to different segments, compact, small hatch etc etc.

Where the Octavia wins is as mentioned above, the space. Although it is on the MQB (Golf) platform, it is, in a way stretched to give more space both driver and passenger but also boot. This is where it can get a bit tricky though as customers do tend to compare the Octavia more to a Mondeo than let's say a Focus (which is it's target market).

With this in mind this is where both the Rapid and Octavia should excel as they will have the whole of that segment covered and be able to nick a few sales from the likes of Ford and Vauxhall.

+1.

As for the Octavia itself, and in fact all manufacturers, there cars are split in to different segments, compact, small hatch etc etc.

Where the Octavia wins is as mentioned above, the space. Although it is on the MQB (Golf) platform, it is, in a way stretched to give more space both driver and passenger but also boot. This is where it can get a bit tricky though as customers do tend to compare the Octavia more to a Mondeo than let's say a Focus (which is it's target market).

With this in mind this is where both the Rapid and Octavia should excel as they will have the whole of that segment covered and be able to nick a few sales from the likes of Ford and Vauxhall.

^^^ What he said!

Irrelevant of the additional equipment and value added bits the Octavia has always had over the Golf and A3, the real value to me has always been in the fact its more practical and gives you more metal for the money. A bigger boot and more rear leg room is usually assumed when I read that Skoda have a new model based on the new Golf platform etc. The fact the Octavia 3 gets the longest wheelbase version of the MQB platform, in itself, is valuable to myself and my family. The massive boot is fantastic too. Very useful for our summer euro trips - literally making the difference of us being able to go fully laden (Octavia 3) or not go, ala Golf Mk7/Seat Leon.Audi A3!! The only reason the Yeti passes muster on this front is due to its incredibly flexible interior which allows us to remove the centre and driver side rear seat for the journey, space which is then used as an extension of the smallish 360 odd litre boot space. Octavia 3 feels like its made for me!

Skoda comes 2nd in road test but skoda forum members dispute result shocker.

Some people may prefer the more compact dimensions of the golf, or the better handling (according to the review) and prefer the badge and image more therefore any slight cost difference may be justified in their eyes so why is the golf winning so hard to accept?

If you dont need the extra space of the octy then why have it?

Very blinkered and personalised views in this thread so far in most parts.

AE review the cars not so much on their own personal requirements but they base it on what they think the masses will desire more in a car or need in a car. For most people a golf is more than practical enough. It was for me anyway. I prefer my octy as it was cheap not because it was better.

People also buy cars purely on brand image and therefore the golf wins again.

The skoda actually gets glowing praise so i dont think slating AE is justified. Would you rather they said all skoda are the best even if they didnt think they were.

People always stand by their chosen make of car. I like mine but its not the best car ive ever had.

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by Jockdooshbag

This is where it can get a bit tricky though as customers do tend to compare the Octavia more to a Mondeo than let's say a Focus (which is it's target market).

With this in mind this is where both the Rapid and Octavia should excel as they will have the whole of that segment covered and be able to nick a few sales from the likes of Ford and Vauxhall.

Good luck selling Rapid over Focus with current UK pricing...especially that Ford also has promotions on the Focus. Why did Skoda UK come up with pricing range that is so much at odds with the rest of Europe? 40% more than the same Rapid in Czech Republic? Nuts.

I bought 3 new Skodas so far, paid with my own money, and I am extremely satisfied with the first 2 (Mk1 Octy and Mk1 Superb), and OK with the 2012 Roomster (great design idea, not so great fit/finish//1.6CR town fuel consumption, but overall good value for money) .

However, recent Skoda UK arrivals have either been overpriced (Rapid), not fit for purpose (Octavia 3 with its 50l fuel tank vs. Mondeo with 70l fuel tank), or of varying fit and finish quality (2012 Roomster, a lot of niggles, plus failing 1.6CR DPF EGT sensor).

Hopefully Skoda will not manage to mess up Mk2 Superb Estate by the time my Mk1 Superb requires replacement, otherwise it will be the end of my Skoda purchases for a while (ever?). Skoda used to represent excellent value for money and made "universal" cars that could fit all purposes. It would be good to stick to these values for the future, as they made Mk1/Mk2 cars great sellers all over the world.

Of course, before an army of trolls jumps at this post, all of the above is just my personal opinion, backed by my personal car purchase funds But then you only need low CO2 and a booked holiday (sorry, business meeting) in Caribbean to sell to fleets....little need to be concerned with the views of private car buyers.

As the market stands the likes of Ford, Vauxhall even the French will still sell cars due to badge snobbery.

Yes, the Rapid has not set the world alight (it has started to pick up though), but will hopefully progress with the addition of the new Octavia where people will be able to identify where the car sits within it's core area.

Having sat in and drove an Astra, Focus, Megane and 308 yesterday they all have a plastic feel about them. The top part of the Focus dash was more soft touch than the others mentioned but jesus that HUGE centre console gave me no room at all (the same can be said for the Astra).

Being over the 6 foot mark and not shy of a bit of additional 'timber', space and comfort is paramount to me, which I couldn't find.

Rear passenger room was non existent and the boot, well, err, there's not one.

Some people won't look for practicality, just shiny bits and pieces, along with a badge, but for those who do a bit of hunting around then both new cars will make more sense - even if the fuel tank is a bit small :peek:

For those of you who are 'floating' around your local dealers this weekend have a good look over the new Octavia and please let me know your thoughts - I'll start a new thread for this though.

As the market stands the likes of Ford, Vauxhall even the French will still sell cars due to badge snobbery.

How come when folk stick with Skoda it is brand loyalty but when they stick with VW, Ford, Vauxhall it is badge snobbery :think: :rofl:

How come when folk stick with Skoda it is brand loyalty but when they stick with VW, Ford, Vauxhall it is badge snobbery :think: :rofl:

It's my blinkered view :rofl:

People buying an Octavia in the focus, Astra, golf, civic market are looking in the wrong market! They should be comparing the Octavia to the Passat, 3 series, A4 etc.

Yes, the Rapid has not set the world alight (it has started to pick up though), but will hopefully progress with the addition of the new Octavia where people will be able to identify where the car sits within it's core area.

It probably started to pick up due to £1500+ off in finance deals (and still not enough), what about private non-finance buyers, has SUK forgotten about us? Would it not have been easier to just issue a more down to earth price list for the Rapid range?

10 years ago, when I was choosing between Octavia 1 and Mondeo, one thing that made me go for Skoda was the fact that the close-to-list price I paid at dealership was the price most purchasers paid at the time, or in other words transparent pricing.

With Ford, the list price was massive, but even pre-reg cars were already 30%-40% cheaper. But no dealer would even talk about more than 10% discount on a new factory Mondeo, with 20% being my target (still well above pre-reg price). I find the "supermarket" model of pricing through "special offers and deals" quite underhand, as basically it makes direct price comparisons much more effort. Which is the purpose of it, of course. Short term it might be profitable, long term, it is a broken sales model.

For those of you who are 'floating' around your local dealers this weekend have a good look over the new Octavia and please let me know your thoughts - I'll start a new thread for this though.

Being 6ft5 I certainly will peek around the cabin soon, though I'll wait for vRS/4x4 for the test drives as I crossed the 1.6CR off the list for good. I am still thinking about 185bhp 2.0CR (and hopefully bigger fuel tank on 4x4 as with previous Octavias).

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by dieselV6

Can someoen explain the logic of fitting a 50 litre fuel tank to me please? I already think the tank in my VRS is on the small side so would hate something even smaller even if the improved MPG offets it somewhat.

Please tell me the petrol versions have bigger tanks? If not LOL what a joke. No way id buy a petrol octy with a 50 litre tank.

It probably started to pick up due to £1500+ off in finance deals (and still not enough), what about private non-finance buyers, has SUK forgotten about us? Would it not have been easier to just issue a more down to earth price list for the Rapid range?

Because buyers do respond well to discounts, and the accepted wisdom is that nobody pays list price for a car, whether that's true or not.

An £18k car for £15k is more appealing than a £15k car for £15k, even if the vehicle is exactly the same - it's just marketing.

10 years ago, when I was choosing between Octavia 1 and Mondeo, one thing that made me go for Skoda was the fact that the close-to-list price I paid at dealership was the price most purchasers paid at the time, or in other words transparent pricing.

Oddly, one of the things that I liked about my 2003 Octavia was that it wasn't close to list. £13k for a £16k car.

If you dont need the extra space of the octy then why have it?

Very blinkered and personalised views in this thread so far in most parts.

AE review the cars not so much on their own personal requirements but they base it on what they think the masses will desire more in a car or need in a car. For most people a golf is more than practical enough. It was for me anyway. I prefer my octy as it was cheap not because it was better.

I don't think the comments on here are blinkered at all.

I'd happily accept the VW badge is more important to most, that the sound insulation will be better in the Golf, that it is likely to handle better as well (due to smaller dimensions), etc, etc.

However, when an article states that a VW Golf is "almost as practical" as an Octavia, and then scores it above on that basis, it's utter nonsense.

If they'd said "it's practical enough for most people" as you have, then fine; but they didn't.

It's laughable to suggest the size and shape of a Golf's boot makes it even 50% as practical as the new Octy hatch, for those that NEED the practicality.

H

I don't think the comments on here are blinkered at all.

I'd happily accept the VW badge is more important to most, that the sound insulation will be better in the Golf, that it is likely to handle better as well (due to smaller dimensions), etc, etc.

However, when an article states that a VW Golf is "almost as practical" as an Octavia, and then scores it above on that basis, it's utter nonsense.

If they'd said "it's practical enough for most people" as you have, then fine; but they didn't.

It's laughable to suggest the size and shape of a Golf's boot makes it even 50% as practical as the new Octy hatch, for those that NEED the practicality.

H

Maybe im not clicking the right bit on the AE webpage but where does the golf score higher than the octy on practicality? I read where it stated the golf was almost as practical but cant see any "ratings" contradicting this?

My golf's boot was miles more than 50% the size of my octy. In fact my golf hatch had a very well shaped quite generous boot.

EDIT - The AE article is comparing a golf hatch with and octy hatch. The octy hatch is no use to me as i have a huge labrador hence why i drive an estate. In this test the golf would be more practical for me.

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by Jockdooshbag

Maybe im not clicking the right bit on the AE webpage but where does the golf score higher than the octy on practicality? I read where it stated the golf was almost as practical but cant see any "ratings" contradicting this?

My golf's boot was miles more than 50% the size of my octy. In fact my golf hatch had a very well shaped quite generous boot.

It doesn't.

But it states that it's the better car because it's "almost as practical".

That's not right IMO.

I'd suggest it's probably the better car for other reasons.

In terms of the boot size and shape on a Golf, I've looked at mkIV, V and VI and you can't get our nipper's pram in any of them without taking up pretty much the entire boot.

God forbid you also want a bag/suitcase/travel cot, etc, etc.

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by Herschel

It doesn't.

But it states that it's the better car because it's "almost as practical".

That's not right IMO.

I'd suggest it's probably the better car for other reasons.

In terms of the boot size and shape on a Golf, I've looked at mkIV, V and VI and you can't get our nipper's pram in any of them without taking up pretty much the entire boot.

God forbid you also want a bag/suitcase/travel cot, etc, etc.

So what you stated in your last post was made up? The review clearly states the golf did win for other reasons. Did you not read it?

Fair enough that you prefer the octy but you cant just make up things and ignore other things about an article in question to justify why you disagree with it.

As i also edited onto my last post i cant get my dog into a octy hatch so the golf would win for me also. Practical can mean lots of different things and not just the ones that apply to you.

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by Jockdooshbag

Because buyers do respond well to discounts, and the accepted wisdom is that nobody pays list price for a car, whether that's true or not. An £18k car for £15k is more appealing than a £15k car for £15k, even if the vehicle is exactly the same - it's just marketing.

Oddly, one of the things that I liked about my 2003 Octavia was that it wasn't close to list. £13k for a £16k car.

You mean "because muppets can be fleeced as there is no law against it"? There is a thin line between marketing and conning people. In my view that line is crossed way too often nowadays. But I am not talking about publicly advertised offers/deals such as 0% VAT, I just want a more or less (within ~15%) level playing field for cash buyer vs finance buyers vs fleet buyers.

20% below list price for a brand new factory order car? Lucky you, but it is still "only" 20%.

In 2002 Ford's case the difference to pre-reg was closer to 40% which was ridiculous. In the end, I got my Mk1 Octy from Ireland as SUK would not sell me an ESP equipped one at the time, got a ton of extras incl factory xenons and incl all ferry/flights/fuel costs still paid 7% under UK list price for Elegance.

I would not have bought the 2012 Roomster at list price, I bought it at 0%VAT price plus a bunch of options that were equivalent in price to a further ~7% discount. Could have bought cheaper, but local dealer offered faster delivery of factory order and the Roomie was replacing writen off Octy 1.

But 0% VAT offer is transparent, you go to dealership and order car with that offer.

I am against advertising extortionate list prices and sticking to them for private buyers (as was the case with Ford, at least back in 2002) and then selling the same cars at 40%+ discount to companies/car supermarkets, or to finance buyers as is now the case for the Rapid (though the gap is closer to 10%).

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by dieselV6