Skoda Octavia Estate Pre Model SE Plus 2.0 TDI (110bhp) CR 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Delivering 110 bhp of power through a four cylinder petrol engine, the Skoda Octavia Estate SE Plus 2.0 TDI (110 bhp) CR offers a decent boost of power over the petrol models. A top speed of 121 mph is good for a car of this class and acceleration speeds are fairly average as the car travels from 0-62 mph takes just 11.1 seconds.

Despite the larger engine, the efficiency of this model is actually better than some of the other models thanks to the high fuel efficiency diesel cars are known for. This model offers an impressive 57.6 mpg with carbon emissions also kept low at 126 g/km – putting the car in a relatively low road tax band (D).

Handling feels stable, even on motorways, and the suspension does a great job of cushioning bumps on the road.

The Skoda Octavia Estate is fairly attractive from the outside and the arrangement of instruments within the cabin is fairly logical, making operating controls whilst driving easy. The SE Plus trim level offers additional features to drivers but there are still some fittings which are missing.

Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 connectivity. Bluetooth also becomes a standard feature, as do rear parking sensors and a built-in sat nav.

Cruise control, climate control and stability control are still only available at an additional cost – £225, £490 and £395 respectively.

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.

For safety, 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 missing vital features such as standard electronic stability which can be added for an additional cost of £395. This is the same as in the S model but the SE also benefits from a standard fitted alarm, increasing security.

Features which are fitted as standard include driver, passenger and front side airbags as well as an immobiliser to protect the car from theft.

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

Priced at £19,985 this model is marginally more expensive than the Octavia Estate SE 2.0 TDI CR model. For the additional £295 buyers get a better range of internal equipment with efficiency levels almost identical across the two models. However, performance is lower than in the SE 2.0 TDI CR and this means buyers need to decide whether they consider comfort or performance a bigger priority.

Running costs are low in this model with road tax falling under tax band D and the high fuel efficiency making refuelling infrequent. Despite the increased trim level insurance premiums are actually lower than in the SE 2.0 TDI CR, falling under insurance group 17.