For The Octavia is comfortable and easy to drive, has a huge cabin and most versions are cheap to buy and run.

Against The 1.9 and 2.0 PD diesel engines are noisy and it's not the most exciting car in its class to drive. Entry-level models miss out on some key equipment.

Skoda Octavia Hatchback

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

One of the most spacious cars in the class and it's great value for money. Choose carefully, though: some of the diesel engines are noisy and cheaper models miss some equipment.

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There are 24 Skoda Octavia versions available

Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 16v S 5dr £12,240
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 MPI S 5dr £12,705
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.2 TSI S 5dr £12,935 TBA
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 TSI S 5dr £13,450
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 MPI SE 5dr £13,695
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.2 TSI SE 5dr £13,925 TBA
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 TSI SE 5dr £14,440
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.9 TDI PD S 5dr £14,905
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.8 TSI S 5dr £14,925
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 TDI CR S 5dr £15,280
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 TSI Elegance 5dr £15,515
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.9 TDI PD SE 5dr £15,895
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.8 TSI SE 5dr £15,915
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 TDI CR SE 5dr £16,270
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 TDI CR Greenline 5dr £16,960
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.9 TDI PD Elegance 5dr £16,970
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.8 TSI Elegance 5dr £16,990
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 TDI CR Elegance 5dr £17,345
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TDI PD SE 5dr £17,410
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TDI PD Elegance 5dr £18,485
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TFSI vRS 5dr £19,005
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TDI CR vRS 5dr £19,895
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.8 TSI Laurin & Klement 5dr £19,900
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TDI PD Laurin & Klement 5dr £21,395
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Octavia Our pick

Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

We love this little engine, and appreciate the extras that SE trim brings. To our mind, they make this model the best buy in the range.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The Octavia is one of the best all-rounders in its segment and combines VW build quality and engineering with practicality and value.

Choose from six trim levels, including a vRS hot hatch, but our favourite is SE trim with the great 1.4 TSI engine.

That may not sound like much in such a big car, but it manages to give an impressive blend of performance and economy.

The Octavia is built on the same platform as the previous-generation VW Golf, which helps to account for the fine balance between crisp handling and a comfy ride.

All materials also have a high-quality and solid feel, and the interior shames that of many more expensive models for its fit and finish.

Equipment is generally good, although the cheapest versions miss out on key items of safety kit. All models are very spacious, with more rear legroom than most rivals.

The exterior styling might look a bit staid, but the Octavia is very capable and comes at a great price to boot.

Reader test team says:

Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

I test drove this vehicle in search to replace my…

Iacovos Galazis

4 out of 5 stars

Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TFSI vRS 5dr

This is a quality car. It has so much space in the…

James Cox

5 out of 5 stars

Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2.0 TDI CR vRS 5dr

Exterior The biggest change is at the front where…

Paul Rolfe

4 out of 5 stars

Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.6 FSI Laurin and Klement 5dr

I have owned my L&K 1.6 Petrol on a 06 plate since…

Simon Brown

3 out of 5 stars
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