Skoda Octavia Estate SE L 1.5 TSI – long-term review

Pretty much every review of the Skoda Octavia begins by making the point that it shares a platform and many of its mechanical bits with the VW Golf, and yet it’s both cheaper and roomier inside. But there’s a lot more to it than just that headline.

It won’t win any awards for performance or handling but that’s not to say that it isn’t entirely capable in those departments and to be fair, it is a comfortable and well thought out car which gives you many of the benefits of the Golf but for less money.

And while on paper it might be a Golf or Focus competitor, the interior space feels more Passat or Mondeo-like.

I’m enjoying my time with the Octavia and having run a long-term vRS estate a couple of years ago, I can confirm that the 2020 model represents another step forward in sophistication. But our time together hasn’t been without technical issues. The satnav has on numerous occasions completely confused itself, thus leaving me to rely on the Waze app on my phone.

I’ve also found that on pretty much every journey the voice command will, without prompting, ask me ‘what is it that you would like me to do?’, and at random intervals I’ve had the emergency call button warning system ping and advise me to return to a Skoda garage. All of this has been mildly irritating, but a quick trip back to Skoda HQ saw these minor issues quickly and effectively sorted with a software update. These things happen.

While my regular ride was away, Skoda sent a Kamiq courtesy car. It’s been good to drive something else from the range, and it’s a handsome thing that gives Ford’s Puma and VW’s T-Roc a run for their money. I particularly like the bright red paint job, black trim and sports seats on my loaner, but calling it a ‘Monte Carlo’ edition might be pushing things a bit.

Then again, it’s probably the only car I’ve driven in the past five years with an actual, old fashioned handbrake so that’ll keep the rallyists happy...