Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2
When it comes to value for money the Octavia Estate is at the sharp end; even the entry-level 1.0 TSI 110 SE is a commendable proposition and far better than the cheapest Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer. The Seat Leon Estate is near enough bang on the same cost for a like-for-like engine and trim, while other rivals, including the Ford Focus Estate and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, are a fair bit pricier. Compared with the Corolla the Ocativa's resale values aren't particularly strong, though.
The plug-in iV is available only in the upper trims, but even so, it's competitively priced against other PHEVs. For reference, it'll take around 6hrs to charge from a three-pin plug, and 3hrs from a 7kW home wall box (0-100%).
Equipment, options and extras
First off, all versions have a few handy treats, such as the umbrella in the passenger door and an ice scraper clipped to the fuel filler flap. SE trim is far from stripped out, with 16in alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, two-zone climate control, keyless start, automatic lights and wipers and cruise control.
Next up is SE Technology, which is aimed at business users mainly, and offers the best value for money; the gains include floor mats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and more distinctive alloy wheels, plus front parking sensors and sat-nav upgrades.
