Skoda Octavia Estate Pre Model Elegance 1.6 TDI CR 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £19,650
Tax Band: C
Insurance Group: 15
MPG: 62.8
CO2: 119
0-62 Mph: 11.9 secs
BHP: 104 BHP
Range: 760 miles
CarSite Verdict:  4/5
For buyers who are looking for the perfect combination of efficiency and comfort, the Skoda Octavia Estate Elegance 1.6 TDI CR is a great option. The Elegance trim level ensures that there is plenty of comfort within the cabin for both drivers and passengers and the 1.6 litre diesel engine offers great economical benefits. The only downside is that performance levels are not as high as in other models, which could deter some buyers.

PROS:  A more advanced trim level means there are more features on offer to buyers and combines with exceptionally efficiency to make this a great investment.

CONS:  Performance is not as high as some models and this could be seen as a disadvantage considering the size of the car.

Behind the Wheel

Delivering 104 bhp of power through a four cylinder diesel engine, the Skoda Octavia Estate Elegance 1.6 TDI CR offers a decent boost of power petrol models. A top speed of 117 mph is good for a car of this class and acceleration speeds are fairly average as the car travels from 0-62 mph in just 11.9 seconds. Whilst these credentials are fairly good for a car of this class they are still lower than those offered by some other models in this range and this is a slight disadvantage.

The suspension is good, providing comfort even on rough road surfaces and the handling feels stable, even on motorways at high speeds.

As a diesel model, this car comes with high levels of efficiency which allow it to achieve an impressive 62.8 mpg on a combined cycle. On top of this, carbon emissions are some of the lowest in the range at just 119 g/km, putting the car into a low road tax band (C).

Looks & Equipment

The Skoda Octavia Estate is attractive from the outside and in the cabin the arrangement of controls is logical, which will make operating devices whilst driving easy. The Elegance trim level offers additional features to drivers with high levels of comfort available.

Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, cruise control, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 connectivity.

Options such as Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in sat nav, stability control and leather seats are only available as chargeable extras costing £575, £1,660, £395 and £1,495 respectively.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The car scored four out of five for overall safety in the NCAP crash tests and whilst some features are offered as standard, the car is still missing vital features such as standard electronic stability (which can be added for additional costs of £395). This is the same as in the basic S model, but the Elegance also benefits from a standard fitted alarm, increasing the security on offer. Features which are fitted as standard include driver, passenger and front side airbags as well as an immobiliser to protect the car from theft.

Practicality is one of the best features of this model and as an estate car there is plenty of room within the cabin and boot for drivers to use. The boot capacity offers a generous 605 litres when the seats are in place, expanding by more than 1,000 litres to 1,655 litres when the seats are folded down. This gives owners more than enough room within the vehicle although the shape of the boot and the high lip of the car mean that loading can be a little tricky with certain objects.

In terms of driver comfort, both the front seat and steering column offer plenty of adjustment and that means that it is easy for drivers to get the best position.

In terms of reliability, the car is expected to perform well and comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles to give buyers additional assurance.

Value for Money

Priced at £19,550 this model is reasonably priced for its class and offers a great range of benefits making it the pick of the Octavia Estate models. The high fuel efficiency combines with a great range of features, offering customers everything they need in a family estate. Performance credentials could be stronger but those concerned with getting an affordable and practical family car will be more than happy with this model.

Running costs are exceptionally low thanks to the high levels of efficiency with road tax falling under band C and insurance premiums also featuring at the lower half of the scale in insurance group 15.

Skoda Octavia Estate Pre Model Elegance 1.6 TDI CR 5dr Car Review - by 
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Medium Family Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Medium Family cars that you can then compare to the Skoda Octavia. Here are some popular Skoda Octavia alternatives:

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