Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI 105 CV, road test (Engine, performance, handling and fuel consumption)

When buying a car, and with money being tight right now, you’re surely looking at your wallet more than ever. It’s a significant purchase and the economy doesn’t allow for making it lightly. Well, the car we’re testing today is probably one of the most sensible saloons on the market. The design may or may not appeal to you, but at this price few saloons offer so much space and equipment.

Today we’re testing the Skoda Octavia with the entry-level diesel engine in the range, the well-known 1.6 TDI with 105 CV, an engine that is more than adequate for the Octavia and achieves genuinely low consumption figures. If you want space, low running costs and a moderate price, this is an excellent alternative.

Engine and performance

If you want an Octavia with sufficient power without spending a lot of money, this entry-level diesel version is a smart choice. The Group’s Volkswagen 1.6 TDI engine comes in two variants, 90 and 105 CV, and the Octavia uses the latter as the entry point to the diesel range. It is a very capable engine which, compared with other diesels, stands out for its smooth operation.

From 1,500 rpm it starts pulling strongly until it nears 4,000 rpm. Low down it lacks force, but it has a good usable range, although you do have to work the five-speed gearbox that comes with the engine.

In terms of figures, the torque is 250 Nm. It’s not a spectacular number, but it is sufficient for everyday driving and allows overtaking or cruising on motorways with decent results, though with only ordinary acceleration when pulling out.

The gearbox has five well-spaced, quite long gears, which allows motorway cruising in fifth without penalising consumption, as the rev counter shows 2,200 rpm at 120 km/h. The gearbox feels good, precise and correct.

Handling

It is a tireless covering of kilometres, the Skoda Octavia with this engine is not the sportiest but is an excellent travelling companion for covering distance. It is well insulated, has good stability and a smooth ride.

The suspension strikes a well-judged middle ground German-like (yes, I know the brand is Czech, but the tuning of the parent company shows through), and over bumps it is not so hard as to be uncomfortable, so it is comfortable.

In terms of dynamics, we did not test the sportiest version, but it is a dynamic car within what its bodywork allows, and in any case the responses are fairly noble and predictable on tricky roads or on a mountain pass.

The steering is accurate and conveys a fair amount of what the car is doing, and together with the braking system—discs on all four wheels—it works effectively.

Consumption

Without doubt the best thing about the engine is its consumption; the figures are low, which makes it an excellent travelling companion. On the motorway, during our usual route between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid it consumed 4.4 litres per 100 km, a really low figure at constant speed (120 km/h).

On country roads consumption ranged from 4.5 litres if we drove carefully to 5 litres with a more carefree driving style, though it is hard to exceed 6 litres on country roads. In the city, however, the average consumption was 6.6 litres per 100 km on our usual route through the streets of the olive-oil city.

In the second part of the test we will analyse the exterior design, which has been updated, the generous interior space it offers occupants and the boot (also large).

Photos | Diego G. Moreira and test team

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSkoda Octavia24 versions · from 35,200 €