Skoda Octavia Estate Pre Model S 1.4 16v 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The handling feels stable even on motorways and the suspension is great even on rougher road surfaces.

Delivering 79 bhp of power through a four cylinder petrol engine, the Skoda Octavia Estate S 1.4 16v is far from the most powerful estate car. A top speed of 108 mph is adequate for a car of this class but the acceleration speeds let the car down. Travelling from 0-62 mph takes 14.4 seconds, making hitting the top speed of 108 mph an effort.

For a petrol car, the efficiency is not terrible in this model and the engine achieves 44.1 mpg on a combined cycle. Unfortunately, carbon emissions are reasonably high at 149 g/km, putting the car under road tax band F.

The Skoda Octavia Estate is a good looking car, with a well laid-out cabin, which should make operating controls whilst driving easy. As an entry level car, the S model offers a fairly limited selection of in-car technology for buyers, which could be a disadvantage for some drivers.

Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system with CD connectivity.

Options such as Bluetooth connectivity, leather seats, cruise control, rear parking sensors and climate control are not available with this model, but other features such as stability control and alloy wheels can be added for an additional cost - £395 and £400 respectively.

The Skoda scored four out of five for overall safety in the NCAP crash tests and whilst some features are offered as standard, the car is missing vital features such as standard electronic stability control or a fitted alarm, both of which can be added for additional costs of £395 and £285 respectively. 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 the estate and there is plenty of room within the cabin and boot. The boot capacity offers a spacious 605 litres when the seats are up, expanding to 1,655 litres when the seats are folded down. This gives owners loads of 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.

For driver comfort, both the front seat and steering column offer plenty of adjustment, making it 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 assurance and peace of mind.

Priced at £14,320 this model is at the lower end of the budget for its class, making it a popular option. The running costs will not be excessive either and that makes it ideal for buyers looking for a basic and practical vehicle.

The fuel efficiency of 44.1 mpg is good for a petrol model and insurance premiums are incredibly low with this expense falling under a relatively low insurance bracket (7). Road tax falls under band F due to carbon emissions of 149 g/km, but this is still more than manageable in comparison to other cars in this class.