My time with an Octy ends in March when I trade in my 1.4 TSi SE DSG hatch for a Superb. What follows are a few reflections on 3 yrs and just under 30,000 miles in a car which I bought after my dear old V70 2.5T lunched its gearbox with 130k on the clock.

 

My buying criteria were low monthly cost (hence PCP); room for a family of four; efficient petrol engine (the Volvo’s wasn’t!); and an auto gearbox. I’d seen a friend’s Octy and had been impressed by the surprisingly high quality interior and general roominess. I tested the mid spec Elegance (now SE L) but family hated the ride on lower profile tyres (a warning of things to come in retrospect) so I went for an SE with the smaller wheels/taller tyres.

 

I’ll emphasise one thing at this point: What follows are my views only and they apply only to the spec I chose. I’m sure others will have different perspectives on the Octy and on SE spec.

 

I don’t regret buying the car at all. It’s been efficient (averaging 42-44mpg), reliable (no showstoppers, just a glitch with the tyre pressure sensors), and a smooth, pleasant everyday drive. It swallowed everything a family could throw at it without ever needing a roof rack, its voice control has been great for hands-free calls, and the only parts replaced during my time with it have been wipers and two front tyres.

 

But the longer I’ve owned it the more I’ve realised that - in this spec at least - the Octy is not a car you’re likely to fall in love with. It’s a car which gets the job done, but doesn’t do so with any surprise or delight.

 

It’s defined by its place in the VW universe, of course - it can have most of the mechanical and electrical kit available to other VW Group cars, but isn’t allowed much in the way of visual flourish or performance flair. If it did, why would anyone buy a VW?

 

The plain interior I can live with because the visible plastics are decent quality. The instrument display is a model of clarity, the controls are easy to use and understand. The DAB radio is fine, though the standard stereo/speakers are mediocre.

 

The 1.4 TSi has been excellent - though a wee bit short on muscle (mine is the 138 bhp version) and probably more vocal than it needs to be because there’s no sound deadening under the bonnet (or gas struts to support a chunky piece of metal). Same story with the seven-speed DSG: imperceptible changes under most conditions, with only hill junctions giving away the fact that this is a ‘hard’ clutch engagement rather than a torque converter.

 

What did I miss with this spec? Steering wheel controls and cruise control; big regrets both. The headlights are pretty average on dipped beam, though I guess I could have ‘bulbed-up’ (just don’t know how).

 

The single biggest criticism I have of the mainstream Octavia is the noisy, unsettled ride that stems from torsion beam rear suspension. It’s stable, keeps the wheels flat, but allows for no sophistication in spring rates and transmits noise and vibration across the beam. The result is a ride which deteriorates noticeably on broken surfaces and sends road roar into the cabin on surface-dressed roads or textured concrete/tarmac.

 

I get why Skoda uses a torsion beam: it’s significantly cheaper than independent suspension and the Octavia is a value-for-money car, not the last word in dynamic sophistication. But it takes the edge off the car’s attempts to persuade you that it’s better than you expect. The ride is exactly what I’d expect from a torsion beam: compromised.

 

There is a lot to like about the Octavia: better quality than people expect, decent performance and refinement in most conditions, still pretty good value when you consider the calibre of some of the key components. I guess it all depends which angle you approach it from. I’d been spoilt by an effortless V70 with some of the most comfortable seats I’ve ever been in. The Octavia was better than I expected but ultimately feels like 75% of a better design.

 

I’m swapping it for what is probably 75% of another VW model, the Superb (if the Octy is an expanded Golf, the Superb is a Passat). Besides being bigger, the one advantage it’s got over the Octavia is multi-link independent rear suspension tuned for comfort. Fingers crossed...

I'd echo most of that with my L&K to be honest (apart from the spec of course, which was very generous). The biggest gripe was as you've said - the unsophisticated rear suspension setup which made the ride pretty appalling on anything other than smooth motorway.

 

When I tested the Superb the ride quality was MUCH better, even on standard non-adaptive suspension. The quality of the cabin / insulation from the outside world was also a big step up. I very nearly pushed the button on a Superb L&K as my next company car, but would have been the 150ps engine and I'd have had to contribute personally also to the tune of around £60 per month. Managed to spec a 520d, with a few options and personal contribution is a shade under £20 a month (go figure!?).

 

What spec did you choose for your Superb?

Shoulda tried the rear torture beam suspension setup in an Elegance, a compremise too Fn far IMHO

1 hour ago, themanwithnoaim said:

Shoulda tried the rear torture beam suspension setup in an Elegance, a compremise too Fn far IMHO

 

That was my original test drive - see second paragraph.

1 hour ago, GoneToBeemer said:

I'd echo most of that with my L&K to be honest (apart from the spec of course, which was very generous). The biggest gripe was as you've said - the unsophisticated rear suspension setup which made the ride pretty appalling on anything other than smooth motorway.

 

When I tested the Superb the ride quality was MUCH better, even on standard non-adaptive suspension. The quality of the cabin / insulation from the outside world was also a big step up. I very nearly pushed the button on a Superb L&K as my next company car, but would have been the 150ps engine and I'd have had to contribute personally also to the tune of around £60 per month. Managed to spec a 520d, with a few options and personal contribution is a shade under £20 a month (go figure!?).

 

What spec did you choose for your Superb?

 

I’ve gone for a Superb 1.4 TSi 150 DSG in SE spec & will probably lob in a couple of extras (elec. tailgate release, for example). Tried a Superb 1.4 TSi Sportline and was surprised at how civilised the ride was on low profiles & lowered suspension (better cushioned than my Octy) and impressed by its pace. Then Carwowed my way to a deal within a fiver a month of what I’ve been paying for the Octavia...

Edited 2 January, 20188 yr by MorrisOx

3 minutes ago, MorrisOx said:

 

I’ve gone for a Superb 1.4 TSi 150 DSG in SE spec & will probably lob in a coule of extras (elec trailgate release, for example). Tried a Superb 1.4 TSi Sportline and was surprised at how civilised the ride was on low profiles & lowered suspension (better cushioned than my Octy) and impressed by its pace. Then Carwowed my way to a deal within a fiver a month of what I’ve been paying for the Octavia...

 

Yeah it's a really good engine - tried one in an A4 and was pleasantly surprised how flexible it was.

 

If you've not pushed the button yet, may be worth just sense checking prices on a site like contracthireandleasing.com - if you're only keeping a car for 3 years like you did your Octy, then leasing can often work out cheaper than PCP.

Good write up and I think a fair assessment of the penny pinching/VW pecking order which is evident on certain trim levels. I think the Octavia is very sensitive to spec and depending on which side you fall, you can have a very different experience. A few options would have addressed a few of the areas, but probably also would have ruined the PCP cost.

 

The higher powered engines have the independent rear suspension which is considerably better than the torsion beam from both a comfort and dynamics perspective.

 

The Bi-xenon headlights are very good and again considerably better than the halogen reflectors found standard on most trim levels.

 

Canton Sound System is also very good and a world away from the standard system in clarity, depth, volume and enjoyment. 

 

Road noise is definitely one area that's probably only marginally improved by the better suspension setup. There's a noticeable lack of sound deadening which does result in noticeable road noise on anything other than a perfect surface at speed. That and the seemingly thin paint are the only gripes I can find with mine.

 

The Superb is a great car and a step up from the Octavia in a number of areas. I don't think you will be disappointed 

Edited 2 January, 20188 yr by ahenners

Seems to me that optional extras are a big issue with the Octy - you can improve it significantly, but only at significant cost - which eats away at the value equation. And wouldn’t have improved the ride in my case.

 

Again, it is what it is in the VW empire.

29 minutes ago, MorrisOx said:

Seems to me that optional extras are a big issue with the Octy - you can improve it significantly, but only at significant cost - which eats away at the value equation. And wouldn’t have improved the ride in my case.

 

Again, it is what it is in the VW empire.

 

Completely agree! For example the Columbus unit is great and it was a must have option for me, yet it's option cost was £1k which is serious money. Most of the things I enjoy about the car day-to-day were optional extras for most of the Octavia range; Columbus, Canton, KESSY, Heated seats + front screen etc.

 

Same applies with the Superb to an extent. Pistonheads have just finished testing a Superb 280 4x4 Sportline estate which was optioned up to just over £40k. The only bad thing they could say about it was the price. Had they tested a standard Sportline I think they'd have more criticism.

And yet things may be changing in this respect... just take a look at the Kodiaq and Karoq Edition (and even the SEL) - they have a lot more as standard.

 

When I ordered my Octy vRS, like you I went mad on the options - I added Columbus, heated seats, cruise control, KESSY, power boot, sunset glass, and more besides. All that stuff is standard on the new Kodiaq I've ordered to replace the Octy. The only things I've added are what I would consider to be proper 'optional equipment', area view and the assistance package.

 

The only thing that is missing as standard on the Kodiaq IMO is front parking sensors - really think they should be there on something that big. The Karoq has them, so maybe the next MY Kodiaq will have as well.

They might well be sweeteners - if you look on Skoda’s finance calculator, base prices have just gone up by around £500...

That's the usual annual price increase, always happens at the start of January.

2 hours ago, ahenners said:

 

Completely agree! For example the Columbus unit is great and it was a must have option for me, yet it's option cost was £1k which is serious money. Most of the things I enjoy about the car day-to-day were optional extras for most of the Octavia range; Columbus, Canton, KESSY, Heated seats + front screen etc.

 

Same applies with the Superb to an extent. Pistonheads have just finished testing a Superb 280 4x4 Sportline estate which was optioned up to just over £40k. The only bad thing they could say about it was the price. Had they tested a standard Sportline I think they'd have more criticism.

 

Service, repairs, parts, options...they’re where the big margins are. At that price, Skoda is effectively suggesting Columbus is of a similar technological calibre to a Macbook. It ain’t.

 

Xenons are my big beef: £1,295 to get decent headlights on an SE? That’s simply not clever.

23 hours ago, MorrisOx said:

 

My time with an Octy ends in March when I trade in my 1.4 TSi SE DSG hatch for a Superb. What follows are a few reflections on 3 yrs and just under 30,000 miles in a car which I bought after my dear old V70 2.5T lunched its gearbox with 130k on the clock.

 

My buying criteria were low monthly cost (hence PCP); room for a family of four; efficient petrol engine (the Volvo’s wasn’t!); and an auto gearbox. I’d seen a friend’s Octy and had been impressed by the surprisingly high quality interior and general roominess. I tested the mid spec Elegance (now SE L) but family hated the ride on lower profile tyres (a warning of things to come in retrospect) so I went for an SE with the smaller wheels/taller tyres.

 

I’ll emphasise one thing at this point: What follows are my views only and they apply only to the spec I chose. I’m sure others will have different perspectives on the Octy and on SE spec.

 

I don’t regret buying the car at all. It’s been efficient (averaging 42-44mpg), reliable (no showstoppers, just a glitch with the tyre pressure sensors), and a smooth, pleasant everyday drive. It swallowed everything a family could throw at it without ever needing a roof rack, its voice control has been great for hands-free calls, and the only parts replaced during my time with it have been wipers and two front tyres.

 

But the longer I’ve owned it the more I’ve realised that - in this spec at least - the Octy is not a car you’re likely to fall in love with. It’s a car which gets the job done, but doesn’t do so with any surprise or delight.

 

It’s defined by its place in the VW universe, of course - it can have most of the mechanical and electrical kit available to other VW Group cars, but isn’t allowed much in the way of visual flourish or performance flair. If it did, why would anyone buy a VW?

 

The plain interior I can live with because the visible plastics are decent quality. The instrument display is a model of clarity, the controls are easy to use and understand. The DAB radio is fine, though the standard stereo/speakers are mediocre.

 

The 1.4 TSi has been excellent - though a wee bit short on muscle (mine is the 138 bhp version) and probably more vocal than it needs to be because there’s no sound deadening under the bonnet (or gas struts to support a chunky piece of metal). Same story with the seven-speed DSG: imperceptible changes under most conditions, with only hill junctions giving away the fact that this is a ‘hard’ clutch engagement rather than a torque converter.

 

What did I miss with this spec? Steering wheel controls and cruise control; big regrets both. The headlights are pretty average on dipped beam, though I guess I could have ‘bulbed-up’ (just don’t know how).

 

The single biggest criticism I have of the mainstream Octavia is the noisy, unsettled ride that stems from torsion beam rear suspension. It’s stable, keeps the wheels flat, but allows for no sophistication in spring rates and transmits noise and vibration across the beam. The result is a ride which deteriorates noticeably on broken surfaces and sends road roar into the cabin on surface-dressed roads or textured concrete/tarmac.

 

I get why Skoda uses a torsion beam: it’s significantly cheaper than independent suspension and the Octavia is a value-for-money car, not the last word in dynamic sophistication. But it takes the edge off the car’s attempts to persuade you that it’s better than you expect. The ride is exactly what I’d expect from a torsion beam: compromised.

 

There is a lot to like about the Octavia: better quality than people expect, decent performance and refinement in most conditions, still pretty good value when you consider the calibre of some of the key components. I guess it all depends which angle you approach it from. I’d been spoilt by an effortless V70 with some of the most comfortable seats I’ve ever been in. The Octavia was better than I expected but ultimately feels like 75% of a better design.

 

I’m swapping it for what is probably 75% of another VW model, the Superb (if the Octy is an expanded Golf, the Superb is a Passat). Besides being bigger, the one advantage it’s got over the Octavia is multi-link independent rear suspension tuned for comfort. Fingers crossed...

 

I think the point about perceived value for money, explains the difference between the comparisons I make (in Australia) against many expressed in this UK based forum.

I bought a pretty basic Octavia 1.4tsi manual estate just over three years ago with only one option package which gave me the cruise control and rear sensors, I really wanted, plus alloy wheels, extra speakers and a few other bits I was more ambivalent about.

So no pano roof, fancy entertainment unit, xenon headlights, leather etc etc. It meant the purchase cost was kept down and gave me a basic car with all the attributes I was looking for, with less to go wrong over long term ownership.

It also meant that as I wanted an estate the competition here was very limited to Mazda 6, Peugeot 308, Hyundai i30 or Mondeo against which the Octavia was either clearly superior or considerably less expensive. For me the Octavia was my 'Goldilocks' selection.

BMW's and Mercs, Audi's and Porsche  are priced relatively high here, compared to Europe or the US, so it was always a mystery to me why they were often mentioned as alternatives to Skoda products as they are on a different price point, BUT obviously not in the UK.

 

Having experienced it myself with other past (brand new) vehicles, there is nothing worse than a major, or a number of minor issues with a car that really bugs you to the point that you can no longer live with it. I fully understand the OP's motive and decision to move on.

My car is still performing well for me and I really enjoy driving it. Quite honestly I'm not sure what the alternatives are available here to replace it as I am not enamoured with over-priced and under performing so-called SUVs that flood our market. Oh and while the Superb lives up to it's name it is too big for us and the 1.4tsi version is not sold here.

Edited 3 January, 20188 yr by Gerrycan

Another Aussie here who shares the sentiment that the Octavia has a fair place in the smaller car market despite its shortcomings. The Superb really is a superb car and there is so much space it suits a family of 6 footers more so than a group of 5 footers who would find themselves floating in it. 

 

I’m interested to find out if anyone knows whether the higher spec RS models offer the independent suspension and driving qualities comparable to the Superb. I also have the standard entertainment system in my late 2016 RS (Columbus and non-Canton speakers) and haven’t got anything to compare it to in terms of sound quality and functionality. Anyone able to comment between the standard 110TSI and the RS counterparts?

Edited 3 January, 20188 yr by SkodaAsh

Neatly put, Ash - I think you’re dead right that the Octavia has a fair place in the market, and the one thing that attracted me to it in the first place was that it had a kind of no-frills honesty about it without seeming like it was bargain basement. BTW, if Aussie spec is similar to European spec then all higher-powered Octys have independent rear suspension. Their spring rates are different to the Superb, though - firm to hard rather than soft to firm (only exception is the 4x4 Scout model, which has long-travel springs).

 

In some ways, the Octy works best as a decent, basic spec car. My problem was that I’d been spoilt by the V70 I’d had before and it was only after a while that the Skoda’s basic engineering (i.e., that back axle) started to get to me. There was nothing I was going to be able to do about that other than wait for the end of the finance agreement.

 

Big questions is whether Skoda will bite the bullet on the next Octavia and give it a multi-link rear end across the range. I suspect not because that’s where the dead-hand of VW’s brand hierarchy will kick in.

 

Gerrycan mentions the SUV alternatives and like him I concluded they weren’t worth it. I looked at a Kodiaq but ended up asking myself why I’d need a Superb-on-stilts, and also considered the new Karoq. Had a look at its sister car, the Seat Ateca, and wondered why I’d be paying more for less...

Edited 3 January, 20188 yr by MorrisOx

2 hours ago, MorrisOx said:

Big questions is whether Skoda will bite the bullet on the next Octavia and give it a multi-link rear end across the range. I suspect not because that’s where the dead-hand of VW’s brand hierarchy will kick in.

If the Golf doesn't get a multi-link rear end across the range, how does the the Octavia have any chance? Surely the Golf and Leon would get it first?

A moot point, Rodge, though they’re (supposedly) addressing slightly different markets. All of them could probably have it now as an MQB platform with an IRS configuration already exists.

 

VW would probably counter that all it would do is send prices up a notch. At which point I’d ask them to look at the control blade suspension on the Focus - clear evidence that the torsion beam is a pretty crude way of solving the cheap suspension challenge.