Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI 105 CV, test drive (Equipment, price and review)

After several days behind the wheel of the Skoda Octavia today we come to the final chapter. As we told you, we have tested the Skoda Octavia with the 1.6 TDI 105 CV diesel engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The engine is more than sufficient to move the Octavia; everything about the engine we covered in the first part of the test.

Although the most important thing in the Octavia is undoubtedly its space, inside it is a very roomy car with a generous boot, and it is one of the most spacious medium saloons. Everything about interior space, exterior design and the boot we covered in the second part of the test. Now, in the third part, we turn to the equipment, the prices of the Skoda Octavia and our verdict on the car.

Equipment

When we go through the equipment, we start with the safety features fitted as standard on the Skoda Octavia. Standard equipment includes: front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags and a knee airbag, stability control, front fog lights, ISOFIX system, active head restraints, among other items.

The car’s safety specification stands out, with a knee airbag for the driver, which is not common, and the EuroNCAP crash tests confirm this, where it achieved five stars with good adult occupant protection (93%). The only point to note is the side barrier crash test, which did not show good results, but otherwise it proves to be a very safe car (EuroNCAP link).

The equipment of the Skoda Octavia is structured in three levels: Active, Ambition and Elegance. Even the base trim already includes fog lights, front electric windows, air conditioning, a CD radio with SD card reader and four speakers, electric mirrors, 15-inch steel wheels, among other items.

The next level, Ambition (the one on our test unit), is the most balanced in terms of price and equipment. It adds eight speakers, four electric windows, two-zone climate control, a more complete on-board computer, a front centre armrest, 16-inch alloy wheels, among other items.

Optionally, and at fairly low prices, it can be fitted with a number of highly recommended safety systems. Notable are the driver fatigue detector (40 euros), automatic high beam control (190 euros), lane keeping assist (400 euros), automatic emergency braking (290 euros) and bi-xenon headlights available from 965 euros.

Our test unit had few extras, among them the Bolero radio (very complete in functions and touch-operated) available from 140 euros (with USB and AUX input), and for those seeking perfect sound, a 10-speaker system is available for 465 euros. The sound from the eight speakers fitted to our unit was adequate, but it lacked bass power.

In short, it has many optional elements at a fairly affordable price, allowing you to have an Octavia to your liking without the final budget soaring.

Prices

>Active

• 1.2 TSI 105 CV Manual 6-speed 19,490 euros
• 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV Manual 5-speed 21,620 euros

>Ambition

• 1.2 TSI 105 CV Manual 6-speed 21,040 euros
• 1.4 TSI 140 CV Manual 6-speed 22,490 euros
• 1.4 TSI 140 CV DSG 7-speed 24,190 euros
• 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV Manual 5-speed 23,170 euros
• 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV DSG 7-speed 24,790 euros
• 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV Manual 6-speed 25,070 euros
• 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV DSG 6-speed 26,690 euros

>Elegance

• 1.4 TSI 140 CV Manual 6-speed 23,490 euros
• 1.4 TSI 140 CV DSG 7-speed 25,190 euros
• 1.8 TSI 180 CV Manual 6-speed 26,110 euros
• 1.8 TSI 180 CV DSG 7-speed 27,810 euros
• 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV Manual 5-speed 24,170 euros
• 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV DSG 7-speed 25,790 euros
• 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV Manual 6-speed 26,070 euros
• 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV DSG 6-speed 27,690 euros

The 105 CV diesel Octavia with its complete equipment, which doesn’t forget the radio with USB and Bluetooth or air conditioning, is available from 16,990 euros with discount and PIVE included. Our unit in Ambition trim had a price of 21,765 euros, including the promotional discount.

Overall Verdict

The Skoda Octavia is a car for those seeking a simple vehicle that does the job, in terms of consumption and performance, and above all, space. With all these characteristics, and with the engines of Volkswagen, no other model offers such an attractive price.

The entry-level 105 CV diesel engine is sufficient for our day-to-day use, a true mile-muncher with enough power for most situations, while also having very low consumption on the open road.

On space, there is no complaint either in the front or the rear seats. The boot is also large and very practical, with a wide, regularly shaped loading opening.

Finally, the standard safety equipment is complete, and the rest of the standard features leave the Octavia well equipped. We do recommend the second equipment level (Ambition), as it adds only a 2,000 euro premium and the car is then fully equipped. Or the current offer on the base model, which is well equipped at an attractive price of 16,990 euros.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira and the test team

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSkoda Octavia24 versions · from 35,200 €