Skoda Octavia - which version to buy?

Lately, you can see more and more billboards promoting Skoda's newest creation, the Octavia III. Of these, it is known that the car should surprise, but ads usually do not say everything. How much do you really need to pay for a noteworthy version?

The cheapest variant of the Skoda Octavia costs exactly PLN 59. A lot of? Well, the competition is actually usually a bit cheaper, but as with everything, there is one catch. In the new Octavia, you really pay extra for extra centimeters. With a length of 500 mm, a wheelbase of 4659 mm and a luggage compartment with a minimum capacity of 2686 liters, this is enough space to take the family on vacation to another continent. In addition, the car is actually on the border of the segments. However, how much would it cost if you customized them to your liking, rather than focusing on the lowest price in the catalog? First, let's start with the engine.

WEAKER OR STRONGER?

For PLN 59 each will receive a 500 TSI petrol engine with 1.2 hp. He purses his lips instinctively, “So much power in a big car? Mockery". Theoretically yes, but everything changes when you look at the weight of the car. The new Skoda Octavia has lost a lot of weight, so such a small and not very powerful unit is enough to accelerate to the first “hundred” in 85 seconds. In addition, thanks mainly to supercharging, the torque is 12 Nm and is available at 160 rpm. - the motor is enough for calm drivers. However, in everyday and more demanding use, another option is better suited.

1.2 TSI can be boosted up to 105km. How much does this pleasure cost? A little over 4000 zł. Its torque will also increase slightly by 15 Nm. What's the difference on the road? Okay, I felt it. 10.3s in acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h and noticeably better overtaking other cars… The unit makes a much better impression. Moreover, it consumes less fuel. The manufacturer gives 5.2l / 100km for the weaker, 85-horsepower version, and 4.9l / 100km for the more powerful version, which is also a good thing - in addition to better performance, the driver also gets a little more distance to travel on one tank. The engine will appeal to anyone who needs a car to do more than just roll from place to place, and in itself is the best compromise between price, performance and fuel consumption.

Of course, there are other motors. In the top is a 1.8 TSI petrol with a capacity of 180 hp, but this unit can only be recommended to the most demanding. Also because of the price, which starts at PLN 82. A cheaper and more interesting alternative is the 350 TSI 1.4KM, which also offers great performance, exemplary agility and only slightly better fuel consumption than the base 140 TSI. Of course, there are diesel engines in the offer, but they should be considered only with an annual mileage of at least 1.2-30 thousand. km - then their purchase will quickly pay off. However, it is better to refuse a diesel engine in case of frequent trips within the city - the used particulate filter does not like this mode of operation. The 40 TDI 1.6KM offers similar performance to the 105 TSI 1.2KM, but according to the manufacturer, it can only consume 105 liters of fuel per 3.8 km. Prices for the 100 TDI start at PLN 1.6, while the more powerful 74 TDI 550KM starts at PLN 2.0. The last one on the road is comparable to a 150 TSI petrol. And what line of equipment is best to be tempted to?

NEW SKODA OCTAVIA - HOW TO INSTALL?

Skoda offers three equipment lines - the cheapest Active, the richer Ambition and the flagship Elegance, which can still be retrofitted. Visually, they differ in several details. The cheapest option has steel wheels, the rest are offered with aluminum wheels as standard. The interior trim is also different, and leather upholstery without the need to combine with fabric is only available from the Elegance line. The Active also has unpainted door handles and mirrors and cannot have chrome strips on the side windows. The most rational 1.2 TSI 105KM engine costs PLN 63 with Active equipment. What does the driver get in the base version?

When it comes to security, Active offers quite a lot and doesn't differ much from other options. Standard features include ESP with ABS and just about every other related add-on. There's also no extra cost for a collision brake to prevent further impact after a crash, and a set of airbags in the front seats, including a new knee airbag. However, as an option for each trim line, there are side airbags for seat occupants, as well as a few noteworthy additions. Thankfully it's inexpensive. For PLN 200 you can buy a tire pressure sensor, and for PLN 300 you can buy a hill support system. Especially the latter deserves attention. There is also something for everyone who does not trust each other – the driver fatigue detection function also costs PLN 200. In terms of comfort, however, the decision will be more complex.

An asset, in fact, has most of the elements that a modern person considers necessary for a comfortable life. Standard equipment includes manual air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, central locking, power front windows and a trip computer. However, if you think things through, you'll find that a few add-ons are missing. The alarm requires an additional payment in all versions - PLN 900. What about the rear power windows? The crank is a little outdated. Parking sensors, front and rear armrests, or a Maxi-DOT display, simple additions like these can be indispensable in everyday use. Unfortunately, you can't pay extra for most of them in the Active, but in the richer Ambition line, they come as standard. Combined with the 1.2 TSI 105KM, everything costs PLN 69. An interesting fact is the ability to purchase Parking Assistant 350, which can park the car on its own, an assistant to keep in the lane, as well as a choice of driving profile. The latest addition changes the behavior of the car on the road depending on the selected mode and additionally encourages you to buy it at a reasonable price - PLN 2.0.

NEWS APPROACH

Finally, the Octavia comes with LED headlights, both front and rear. Unfortunately, in both cases they require additional payment in all equipment options. As for the headlights, this premium is significant, since LED daytime running lights have been combined with bi-xenon headlights that additionally dynamically illuminate corners - a total of PLN 4200 4700 - PLN 450 depending on the version. But you can try other useful accessories that are much cheaper - most of them are only available in the Ambition and Elegance lines. Fog lights with intersection lighting function are more than half cheaper than in Active - zlotys. This is a practical accessory. More demanding people may also be tempted by the automatic switching on and off of the lights in combination with a rain sensor. Heated windshields are not yet “fashionable”, but it’s a pity that in all variants the rear wiper requires an additional payment of PLN. Another thing is that the elongated rear part and the sloping roof line prevent the glass from getting dirty, but the Octavia is still a hatchback. The Active version also lacks a few useful gadgets - thankfully, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, reading lights both front and rear, and dual boot lighting are standard on the Ambition. What else does it offer over the cheaper Active?

The radio is standard on all versions, but only on Ambition and Elegance does it support CD and MP3 at no extra cost. In addition, for quite reasonable money you can get an Amundsen navigation system with a 5.8” touch screen – PLN 2400–2900, depending on the version. Also standard on richer options are a set of four rear speakers and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel - the Active doesn't have that. For a reasonable set, it is really enough to buy only a Bluetooth set for a GSM phone.

GENERALLY

Which version should I choose? Well, the best compromise is to buy the Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI 105KM in Ambition version for PLN 69 - it is ideal for everyday use. This version is economical, quite dynamic and equipped with almost all useful elements. If this is not enough – the previously mentioned add-ons cost more or less from 350 5000 to 10 000 zlotys depending on how many offers are added to the price. However, it is better to refrain from taking the wallet right away, because the offer includes a small surprise. Exciting packages have been created for the Active, Ambition and Elegance versions, allowing you to inexpensively retrofit the new Octavia. Their cost ranges from 1800 to 3900 zlotys, and savings can reach zlotys, so the offer is tempting. Everyone can answer the question of what they expect from a car for themselves. And when there is any doubt, test cars are always open at the gates of the car dealerships.

1. Motors

a) For undemanding: 1.2 TSI 85HP

b) Good compromise: 1.2 TSI 105KM

c) When performance is paramount: 1.4 TSI 140 HP, 1.8 TSI 180 HP, 2.0 TDI 150 HP

d) For travelers and fleets: 1.6 TDI 105 hp

2. Equipment

a) Active: when price plays a role

b) Ambition: Just in time for everyday use

c) Elegance: when rich equipment is the basis