Skoda Octavia long-term test: report 3

The car Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI 150 SE L First Edition Run by Allan Muir, managing editor

Why it’s here To see whether the latest Octavia can be more than ‘just’ an exceptionally practical family car that offers fine value for money

Needs to Be just as practical as its predecessors, comfortable in all situations, a relaxed motorway cruiser and relatively cheap to run

Mileage 1445 List price £25,150 Target Price £23,266 Price as tested £26,950 Test economy 40.1mpg Official economy 50.1mpg

22 March 2021 – Ticket to ride

Soft suspension doesn’t always mean you get a comfy ride, as I’m discovering with my Skoda Octavia. 

To recap: I chose to forgo the optional adaptive suspension when I ordered my car, on the basis that the standard set-up seemed to have the comfort side of things pretty well covered, and I upgraded to 18in wheels from the standard 17s. I’m no longer sure either was the best decision.  

On the motorway, my car is indeed very relaxed and supple most of the time. Around town, though, the ride is actually quite poor, feeling knobbly and crashing and thumping over potholes. The body bounces a fair bit over sleeping policemen, and if you hit one going even slightly too fast, there’s an almighty bang from the suspension. 

I’m not sure how much difference the adaptive suspension would make, but I’d expect the ride to be better on the smaller wheels. Even so, my feeling is that this is one area in which the Octavia could definitely use some work.

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