Face-lifted Skoda Octavia has real character (From Bournemouth Echo)

Face-lifted Skoda Octavia has real character

11:12am Friday 26th February 2010 in

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CHANGE is apparently something we’re all looking for, but change for change’s sake is a waste of time.

You can apply this sound logic to the Skoda Octavia, now available at Westover Skoda in face-lifted form. It might not be immediately apparent that a great deal has changed if you approach from the rear. Revised lights are the only give-away and there’s the option of a new style 18-inch alloy wheel too. Stroll around to the front however, and you’re greeted with a slick and handsome nose. Not only is it more aerodynamic and incorporate Superb-style lights with the option of Xenons but it has real character now, where before it was too anonymous for its own good.

It’s a car that deserves to be noticed too, because it blends such a range of abilities that almost anyone could be happy behind the wheel. For starters, choose the estate version as tested here and there’s 1,655 litres of load space out the back contained within that stylish exterior. This is a performance car based on a very practical one, and you lose none of that practicality when you go down the vRS route. The tailgate is wide and opens well out of the way, while lashing eyes and a proper load cover to keep your belongings out of sight.

Occupants in the back and in the passenger seat will have nothing to grumble about either, with plenty of space for four and enough to make five adults a comfortable proposition. The cabin is typical Skoda too: high in quality, efficiently designed and laid out with just a hint of its Czech roots in the instrument graphics. There are no confusing gadgets, confusing handbrakes or complicated infotainment systems to trouble your journey either: the new touch screen unit is a doddle to use too, with simple graphics and large buttons to make life easier.

But it’s in the driver’s seat that all the action takes place, because there is 200bhp to propel it along. Don’t forget that this is the Volkswagen-derived 2.0-litre TFSI unit that has a very wide band of torque: 206lb.ft from 1,700rpm right through to 5,000rpm, which makes for fantastically linear and flexible acceleration. Whatever the gear and whatever the speed the vRS will pick up the pace, and as well as being fun to drive when you’re in a hurry it also makes for relaxing progress, especially if you tick the box for the superb DSG gearbox.