Hi all, I'm looking at downsizing from a Superb to an estate that's a bit smaller and something petrol with an automatic box as i'm not doing the miles.

What's the general opinion of the newest Octavia's with their 1.5 TSI engines and DSG gearboxes - are they generally reliable or are they experiencing some worrying issues.

Today my Octy went in for service and had a curtsy New Octavia 1.5 loaned. Took me a while with this one with all the new gadgets. Did not like view to the rear, like looking in a post box. Front vision at first like sitting on the floor but did get it up a bit with loads of yanking, vision obscure by that massive chunk with mirror. Performance was very quick except take foot

off throttle, engine did not slow car so braking constantly, I drive on the gas pedal as a rule and my Octy slows up straight away. Interior, felt like I was driving a mini where as mine feels spacious, end result for me is a no no if I was looking to buy,

I downsized from a 1.4tsi Superb mk2 hatch to a manual 1.5tsi mk4 Octavia estate (2020 so not the latest, nor the etec).

Space in the boot is fantastic; rear legroom notably less, headroom fine. Performance is more than adequate even when fully loaded and mechanically has proven reliable over 65k miles. My early s/ware issue won’t be relevant if you’re looking at a FL mk4.5. My car is incredibly economical for a petrol, averaging over 57mpg since I bought it. From what I read the etec is capable of similar.

Having spent nearly five years in this forum I’m not aware of any issues with the 1.5 etec and DSG other than early models with a 12V battery drain issue. Software updates seem to have that sorted though.

To sum up, I’d say my mk4 is the best car I’ve ever had, perhaps not the most fun to drive but after 50 years of driving I don’t really need that any more!

ok thanks for the comments there - will have to go for a look at one and see what i think.

Not a fan of all the modern bells and whistles but seems there is no way to avoid it.