We tested the Skoda Octavia Greenline, which is the most frugal in the model’s line-up, showcasing the best in the brand’s value-for-money ethos, making it ideal for cost-conscious buyers and company car schemes.

When you also factor in its impressive interior space, it seems like a fine competitor for the more expensive and obvious choices in the hatchback sector, including the VW Golf, Audi A3 and Ford Focus. But can this staid-looking car tear people away from the stablemates?

Whether you’re a business or private buyer, the Skoda Octavia is definitely a model worth considering.

Performance

The Greenline unit, a 1.6-litre diesel with 109bhp achieves 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds, with more than enough power to accelerate willingly in a range of driving situations, not least on the many motorway miles that the Octavia covered while on test.

The VW Golf Bluemotion, which shares an identical engine, shaves off a mere 0.1 seconds for its benchmark sprint but the top speed is slightly less – 124mph versus 128mph.

Numerous other engines are available to power the Octavia, with sizes ranging from 1.2- to 2.0-litres and running on either petrol or diesel.

Depending on the model chosen, the Octavia will come fitted with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six- or seven-speed DSG transmission.

The quickest version in the range is the Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSI 220 vRS, which offers a 0-60mph time of just 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 154mph.

Ride and Handling

Overall refinement is good, even at high speeds, making this a comfortable cruiser for long journeys.

It’s impossible to claim that the Octavia Greenline is an entertaining drive. Instead, it offers a well-rounded, if slightly dull, experience behind the wheel. The steering is light and accurate, there’s good grip and smooth six-speed manual box. Our biggest gripe is ride, which doesn’t meet Golf levels, with bumps creating a little much jolting and noise. But, overall refinement is good, even at high speeds, making this a comfortable cruiser for long journeys.

Interior and Equipment

The Skoda Octavia was original produced as a small family car between 1959 and 1971, before the name was resurrected in 1996 for a new model.

Skoda interiors are impressive – a reflection of the wider VW Group quality for car cabins. It’s a very simple design, and lacks touches such as steering wheel controls, but everything is in such easy reach and well-designed, that it doesn’t create a problem. Standard equipment includes DAB radio, Bluetooth, touch-screen infotainment system and rear parking sensors. Options on our test car included a £1,350 sat-nav and £170 towbar preparation. Space is where the Octavia wins hands-down versus rivals, with boot capacity even beating larger cars such as the Ford Mondeo. At 590 litres, the Octavia’s boot is cavernous against the Golf’s 380-litres offering. This can then be expanded to a massive 1,580 by folding the rear seats. The wheelbase is also 108mm longer than its predecessor which means plenty of room for rear passengers too.

Cost

Residual values are strong, while the Octavia can be leased for around the same price as an A3, but more expensive than a Golf or Focus.

The Octavia Greenline costs £20,150, compared to the Golf Bluemotion at £20,815 which also comes with less standard kit. Running costs are hard to beat, with CO2 emissions of 85g/km and claimed fuel economy of 88.3mpg, helped by stop-start, low-rolling resistance tyres and brake energy regeneration. All-in-all, the Skoda Octavia Hatchback presents the perfect business case for savvy companies which use a vehicle fleet, thanks to low BiK tax rates and London Congestion Charge-beating CO2 emissions. Residual values are strong, while the Octavia can be leased for around the same price as an A3, but more expensive than a Golf or Focus.

Our Verdict

The Octavia Greenline is an impressive car. Its biggest downfall is uninspiring looks, which is likely to keep many buyers from considering the car. If that’s not a concern, this is a comfortable, practical, well-priced and hugely economical model which will keep owners happy for a long time. Private buyers will no doubt love the practicality and high level of kit offered by this car, while businesses will be able to take advantage of low BiK tax rates and exemptions from road tax and the London Congestion Charge. If you want your Octavia to have a little more thrill to it, go for the performance-orientated vRS version over the standard models.