A solid Family Car: the Skoda Octavia

First introduced to the market in 1996, and due to be released in Mk 3 form in 2013, the Skoda Octavia is a mid-sized family car, available in hatchback, estate and four-wheel drive formats, along with high-performance versions of the hatchback and estate, and a limited-edition ‘Blackline’ model. The Octavia has been a mainstay of Skoda’s range for a number of years, and is expected to remain so with the introduction of the Mk 3.

The Mk 1 was in production until 2010, in 5-door hatchback and estate form, and was an affordable, solidly-built vehicle which proved popular with private hire and taxi firms, establishing a good record for reliability. The Mk 2 was based on the evolution of VW Group’s generic platform, the A5 (the Mk 1 having been based on the A4 platform), and included 4-door saloon and 5-door hatchback variants. The backing of the VW group has generated a significant turnaround in Skoda’s fortunes, the quality and reliability of their vehicles, and in their general reputation – a vast improvement over the 1980s, when some commentators termed them the ‘laughing stock’ of the motoring market.

In terms of standard equipment, the Mk 2 Octavia comes with, amongst other features, two Isofix child seat fittings in the rear, and a passenger airbag de-activation switch, ideal for those occasions when the child seat has to be placed in the front of the car. Four airbags and ABS braking add further to its safety credentials. Notably, the standard-fitment steering wheel, a 4-spoke design, is adjustable for both height and reach, which, allied with the height-adjustable driver’s seat, makes this model particularly suitable for the extremely short or tall driver. In common with many other makers, however, the space-saver or full-size spare wheel now appears on the extra-cost options list, with only a tyre repair kit supplied as standard. Worthy of note, too, is the move of the ‘smoker’s pack’ from standard equipment to extra-cost option.

The UK family motorist can choose from a wide range of Skoda Octavia cars, with hatchback, estate and 4×4 body styles, in a variety of trim levels such as Classic, Elegance and Ambiente within those body styles. In many instances, an eco-friendly version, the Greenline, is also available.

The Mk 3 version of the wide range of Skoda Octavia cars looks set to build on, and enhance, Skoda’s solid reputation as a supplier of family cars.

We value your comments. Feel free to discuss here any ideas. Share this information with your friends.

You can follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook fan page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google and Apple.