Skoda Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI

Especially and especially in the engine and equipment chosen by us. In other words: we used the smallest and most economical diesel in our test car and combined it with a wide range of equipment. Such an Octavia Combi is then no longer really cheap, something over 34.000 euros (gross) would be due, at least before the term “dealer” has been taken seriously and - well - traded with it.

If you want to sum up the conclusion of our two weeks with the Czech in advance: This Skoda is a car with almost no weaknesses. The positive overall impression starts with the design, which impresses with its timelessness. Modern, without being modernist, you don't need a crystal ball to predict: You will still be able to be seen with this car ten years from now.

Nice interior design

This also applies to the calmly designed, clear and high-quality interior. Here Skoda follows the VW tradition, but sets its own, well thought-out accents. And some things, such as the steering wheel, are even more beautiful than in the sister model, the Golf.

Yes, like the Seat Leon and the Audi A3, the Golf is a sister model of the Octavia, simply because all models are based on the VW Group's modular transverse matrix. However, Skoda has been going its own way for a number of years, in which the Czechs not only approach their vehicles particularly carefully, they also always offer a little more space than the in-house competitors. With a length of 4,70 meters, the Octavia Combi is already a representative of the middle class - a Passat Variant has to offer just 7 centimeters more in length.

Deserves the name “station wagon”

The space conditions in our test car are accordingly: generous. And in all seats, with the exception of number five in the rear center, but that is the case with all cars. With the Combi, there is also a large luggage compartment that normally offers space for 640 liters of luggage. A maximum of 1.700 liters is possible, then two people in the Octavia can start a trip to Europe.

Especially since the fuel consumption with this drive should not prove to be a cost killer. The small version of the 2,0 liter diesel produced 115 hp. That sounds very little nowadays, but it isn't. The diesel engine offers 300 Newton meters of torque from 1.500 revolutions, so it pushes hard and keeps it up into the middle speed range. A speed of 10 is reached after around 100 seconds, and speeds of up to 205 km / h are possible, even if it requires a bit of a run-up. Drivers heart, what more do you want, especially since we would bet that with the installation of a black-green coalition after the Bundestag elections next September, there will be a general speed limit of 130 km / h on motorways.

Translation could be more driver-friendly

By the way, our test car was not equipped with the expensive and unfortunately somewhat rough dual clutch transmission, which would also cost around 1.850 euros, but with a smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission. Here we also find one of the few points of criticism, because the translations sometimes make life difficult. Third gear, in particular, has a fairly long ratio, so that you can hardly use it in city traffic at slow speeds and you have to switch back and forth between gear two and three.

Of course, these settings are due to the optimization of consumption and thus CO2 emissions. The Octavia wouldn't actually have to do that. Of course, the standard consumption of around 3,5 liters can only be achieved in practice under the most optimal circumstances, for example on an empty country road. Our consumption of slightly more than 5 liters was completely okay for us considering the use on motorways. However, if you look at the small print you will see that the AdBlue tank with 12 liters is shamefully stingy.

Equipment recommendation

As mentioned, our test car came with a very complete set of equipment. Anyone who opts for the highest of the three equipment levels, ie "Style" (30.676 euros), already has many useful and comfortable items on board. We recommend two more packages, which Skoda traditionally put together very fairly. For 1.813 euros, “Columbus Plus” includes the head-up display, a navigation system and a luggage net partition. For a further 1.637 euros there is "Parking + Sight", with matrix LED headlights, reversing camera, ambient lighting and parking assistant.

Good car

The many practical solutions are always there at Skoda. Enough has been written about the umbrella in the door or the ice scraper in the tank lid, now there is also a USB socket on the headliner for a dash cam, for example, and the pockets on the back of the front seats now offer a compartment for a cell phone. And yes, even if you may consider it superfluous depending on the region: In addition to the umbrella, there is now space for a whisk if you wish.

Not cheap compared to the competition, but cheaper than a Volkswagen, and practical, well thought-out and modern in design - the Czechs continue to build on their strengths and virtues with each new model. The Octavia, which was newly introduced in 2019, has become a particularly cleverly made car, cleverly positioned between the compact and mid-range, as a Combi that is only 700 euros more expensive than the sedan.