Skoda Octavia Pre Model SE 2.0 TDI CR 5dr Pre-Model Car Review - March 2012

The engine’s power output of 138 bhp at 4200 rpm is more than sufficient and combines with torque figures of 236 lb-ft at 1750-2500 rpm. The top speed of 131 mph is great for a car of this class and the acceleration is fairly rapid with the car reaching 0-62 mph in 9.5 seconds.

There is plenty of grip on the road and handling is stable which makes the car comfortable to drive. The steering does lack some feel but this is unlikely to have a major impact on driving. Noise disturbance from the engine is fairly limited and the petrol engine works quietly. Road noise is fairly loud however, especially on coarse road surfaces, and there can also be a high volume of disturbance from wind noise when travelling at speed.

In terms of efficiency, this model achieves a generous 58.9 mpg on a combined cycle – making it only marginally less efficient than the 1.6 TDI CR DSG. Carbon emissions are almost equal to those of the 1.6 TDI CR DSG with emissions of 126 g/km also placing the car into road tax band D.

As an SE model, this car comes with an improved trim level over the entry-level S.
Standard equipment which comes with the model includes power steering, central locking, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system with CD connectivity.

On top of this a number of options unavailable with S models can now be added for an additional cost. MP3 connectivity can be added to the stereo system for £185 with Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in sat nav also available for £745 and £1,660 respectively. Rear parking sensors cost £300, cruise control costs £225 and climate control costs an extra £490. Stability control, which is a standard feature on some models, is only available for an additional cost of £395 on this model.

With moderate boot capacity even with the seats in place, this car offers great practicality. With the rear seats in place storage space totals 585 litres, expanding to 1,455 litres when they are folded down. To make the space within the cabin even more practical there is plenty of adjustment available in the seats and this allows both passengers and drivers to be comfortable. The driver also benefits from a large volume of movement within the steering column and this gives them the optimum driving position.

The arrangement of internal instruments is logical and well organised, allowing drivers to operate controls whilst driving with ease. The visibility from the car is also high and this means the car feels safe to drive.

Adding to this feeling of safety is the advanced safety kit which comes with the car as a standard feature. This offers driver, passenger and front side airbags all as standard features with an immobiliser and fitted alarm also included as a standard feature.

Reliability is expected to be a strong point of the car and the car comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles to give customers increased assurances.

Attractively priced at £18,650 there is a lot of car on offer here for a relatively small amount of money. The resale values are also pretty strong within this range and that means that these cars are a wise investment for long term ownership.

The combination of low running costs and high performance make this model a great option for families looking for a good range of features. However, the interior kit still lacks a number of standard features and those who want plenty of modern luxuries will need to pay for them. This means that customers need to consider the value which they are getting carefully before making their decision.