Used Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1998 - 2004 review

What's the used Skoda Octavia like?

You can tell this Octavia apart from the later model because it has a much smaller, less prominent grille than the newer one. It's still a handsome car, though, and practical, too, with a big boot. However, long-legged back seat passengers are severely short of sprawling space.

Because the Octavia borrows most of its switchgear from the Volkswagen Golf, quality is good. The controls are clear, the range of driving positions impressive, and the seats supportive and comfortable.

Overview

It's a modern family car with reasonable safety levels, but it's not very roomy

Pros

• The Octavia is a decent-driving, well built
• practical hatch with handsome
• saloon-like styling

Cons

• The rear seats are cramped

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Skoda Octavia

1.6 FSI Classic Euro 4 5dr

£1,200

Skoda Octavia

2.0 FSI Laurin & Klement Tiptronic Euro 4 5dr

£1,295

Skoda Octavia

1.9 TDI Ambiente Euro 4 5dr

£1,299

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TFSI vRS Euro 4 5dr

£1,299

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI Ambiente Euro 4 5dr

£1,490

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI Laurin & Klement DSG Euro 4 5dr

£1,495

Skoda Octavia

1.6 FSI Ambiente Euro 4 5dr

£1,500

Skoda Octavia

2.0 FSI Elegance Tiptronic Euro 4 5dr

£1,699

Skoda Octavia

1.9 TDI Ambiente DSG Euro 4 5dr

£1,850

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There's a wide range of engines to choose from, beginning with a 75bhp, 1.4-litre petrol and culminating in a 180bhp Turbo vRS version. Although the ride can be firm at town speeds, it's pretty comfortable elsewhere.

The Octavia's handling - even on the faster versions - is competent rather than exciting; okay, but not in the Ford Mondeo league.

Our recommendations

Which used Skoda Octavia should I buy?

Skoda doesn't offer the basic 1.4-litre in the estate version, and when you drive it in the hatchback, you'll understand why. Its 75bhp isn't up to the job, certainly not with a full load on board. The Octavia had a face-lift in 2000, and the 1.6-litre petrol introduced then is a better bet than the original one, because power was increased from 75 to 100bhp.

The non-turbo, 68bhp 1.9 SDI diesel is best avoided, but both the 1.9 turbodiesels - 90bhp or 110bhp - are thoroughly recommended. The 115bhp 2.0-litre and 125bhp 1.8-litre petrol are okay, but not as lively as the later 150 and 180bhp 1.8-litre 20v petrol turbo units.

Original LXi cars come with twin airbags, but no anti-lock brakes, which are fitted to GLXi and SLXi models. A post-September '98 GLXi is a better bet because the standard sunroof was replaced with air-con. Post-2000 trims include Classic, Ambiente and Elegance, and of those we'd go for Ambiente.