Don't think this has already been posted:

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/octavia/84930/skoda-octavia-vrs-estate-vs-ford-focus-st-2-estate

 

Interesting review, and even more interesting 0-60 time!  I still prefer the practicality of the vRS though.

Don't think this has already been posted:

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/octavia/84930/skoda-octavia-vrs-estate-vs-ford-focus-st-2-estate

 

Interesting review, and even more interesting 0-60 time!  I still prefer the practicality of the vRS though.

Me too, plus  all round stats are better , except for mid gear acceleration .However ,balanced out  by increased fuel consumption.

But then I'm biased

When my Ocatvia turn up (still at port in Germany), I will have a Focus ST3 Estate and Octavia VRS DSG.... I'll let you know how they compare.... But for me the Focus is an animal, where as the Octavia is very refined quick car.... I don't think they compare.

Edited 17 December, 201312 yr by terrycollins999

When my Ocatvia turn up (still at port in Germany), I will have a Focus ST3 Estate and Octavia VRS DSG.... I'll let you know how they compare.... But for me the Focus is an animal, where as the Octavia is very refined quick car.... I don't think they compare.

Horse for courses then!

There's only one way too solve this. FIGHT!

Ford

One thing I'd have from the ST are the Recaro seats... Those are yummy! 

I'd have the heated screen....in a petrol

There are few hatchback STs around here but I dont think i ever seen a ST estate on the streets.. The VRs is definitely more popular..

True... I have not seen another ST Estate on the road.... I do enjoy mine.... Looking forward to having the VRS too.

No auto in the ford ? Tax insurance running costs all more expensive, estates are by there nature supposed to be practical first fun second, it would be a no brainer for me VRS every time. If we are talking hatchbacks that's a different market, so the ford would win, but only in the petrol cars where's the ford diesel,? I can't remember them doing a half decent one.

I considered a Focus ST for a short while ( about an hour! ), until I sat in one. Those seats look amazing, but just squeezed me, not in a good way ,and killed my shoulders and neck. I must be too bloaty and arthritic for one!!  lol  They were available at a good discount at the time, but as soon as i sat in the Octavia, I had to have one.

Both are amazing in their own right. Very different machines..... Take my word for it a standard VRS would not come near in performance... But the VRS wins on other fronts. Not sure I would want to see  diesel ST.

I'd have the heated screen....in a petrol

Got it in my petrol vRS.  Defrosts the screen in the time it takes to scape the side windows!

 

Looked at the ST but rejected it for the fact that rear leg room was only as good as my Mk 2 FL.  A growing family now needs more rear leg room.  That and the awful centre console!

 

I read the article.  Was it just me or was there the usual journo Ford bias?

There are few hatchback STs around here but I dont think i ever seen a ST estate on the streets.. The VRs is definitely more popular..

 

AKA common? :think:

I'd consider the ST estate for its chassis, seats (which I find pretty much perfect for my shape), looks and engine/gearbox combination. I also like the fact it's rarer but it would mean having a sub standard interior and having to deal with Ford dealers! Heated front screen is also a great feature.

AKA common? :think:

Well not a common car by any means but just more popular than the ST.. which clearly shows that between the two the VRs is the winner.

These two cars were my final two on the short list after some two months of research/test drives. I had never owned a car from either brand. The focus was sharper and probably quicker but personally I thought it had too much power and traction suffered. It was too stiff and the interior well below the standard of the octavia. Then the load space and fuel economy. I opted for the skoda and haven't looked back. I think it's the more mature choice.

Heated front screen is also a great feature.

 

I have it on my TSI VRS and I agree with your assessment. :P

That review tells me **** all about either car. Why did they even bother!!

These two cars were my final two on the short list after some two months of research/test drives. I had never owned a car from either brand. The focus was sharper and probably quicker but personally I thought it had too much power and traction suffered. It was too stiff and the interior well below the standard of the octavia. Then the load space and fuel economy. I opted for the skoda and haven't looked back. I think it's the more mature choice.

 

Not far off the truth... if you attempt to use all the power of the Focus ST don't expect to stay in a straight line..... It is fun and in some ways a better car, but for a day to day car the Octavia is best in my opinion... Happy to have one of each, my wife mainly drives the Octavia which is an easier drive and car to live with...

daft to compare them to be honest ... they appeal to a different market (well in my eyes they do anyway?).

 

If you like hooing about the ST will trounce the vRS, but for comfortable high speed cruising the vRS will be the better bet