When you look for a car, what is it that’s most important? Style? Space? Or do you like a little oomph? The updated Skoda Octavia vRS has all of that. Don’t let the hot-hatchesque vRS moniker fool you — it’s more about days out with the family than doughnuts in the carpark.
What’s hot
+ Lots of cabin and boot space
+ It’s an easy and comfortable drive
+ Lots of equipment as standard
What’s not
– Could be a little more engaging to drive
– Options can be expensive
– No manual gearbox option
Octavia has been a successful part of the Skoda line-up for decades. We’re now in the fourth generation, and each generation has an Octavia vRS model — the hot hatch version of this popular family car — with the first introduced in 2001.
My first experience driving this latest version of the Skoda Octavia vRS was in the glorious but very cold Isle of Man. With long, sweeping, de-restricted roads ahead, there was no better place to put it through its paces.
The vRS comes in two body shapes — hatchback and estate — but with only one engine choice. Previously, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid version had been available, but Skoda has slimmed down the range, leaving just the 2.0-litre petrol engine. With 265hp and 370Nm of torque, it does a fine job of powering the vRS. My heavy right foot around this beautiful island might not have given the best economy figures, but the 40.9mpg Skoda promises it can achieve is not to be sniffed at for those with a more frugal approach.
As I cruised along the open roads, the Skoda humming along nicely, I had time to take in the upgraded interior. A new 13.0-inch infotainment screen has taken centre stage, and a 10.3-inch screen clearly displays information at a glance in front of me. There are still a few physical buttons for some of the more commonly used controls, such as the demister, but much is still accessed through the infotainment system, which can be a little distracting while driving. The volume control for the infotainment is rather frustrating, as it’s a haptic slider, which can be tricky to control. Happily, there are also volume controls on the steering wheel, which are much easier to use.
While the interior might not be exciting, it is refined and well-appointed, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces rather than hard plastics. There are pointers around the cabin that remind you it’s the sporty version, like the bolstered seats emblazoned with vRS, coloured stitching and faux carbon fibre across the dashboard, none of which detracts from the overall comfort.
One of the Octavia vRS’s biggest strengths is just how spacious it is. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom in the front, providing a comfortable place to sit, even for a broad six-footer. In the back, it’s a similar story. Whether you need to accommodate a couple of bulky child seats or some lanky teenagers, the Skoda will cope without a second thought.
The boot space is impressive, with the 600-litre capacity outstripping rivals like the Volkswagen Golf at 381-litres. The estate version of the vRS is even more cavernous at 640-litres — more than you get in the back of a Volvo V90 estate.
As the miles rolled by, the Octavia vRS handled the changing road surfaces, from broken urban streets to fast, undulating country roads fairly well, with only the worst bumps juddering through the cabin. That said, our car was fitted with the optional Dynamic Chassis Control, an adjustable suspension system which gives 15 different settings for ride quality and handling, but this does feel like a bit of overkill.
Despite the Isle of Man having some 200 miles of de-restricted roads, there was little opportunity to really push the vRS. On the few occasions I could press on, the Octavia responded with smooth, confident acceleration that was brisk but never raucous. For a hot hatch, it’s surprisingly reserved.
Find the right road, and the vRS will accelerate to 62mph in 6.4 seconds and go on to 155mph. I didn’t manage quite that far into three figures, but I don’t doubt it’ll happily stretch its legs to Skoda’s claimed limit.
As the sun began to set and my time with the Octavia vRS was coming to an end, I carved my way through the final corners towards the last stop with a warm, fuzzy feeling. There’s a lot to love about this elegant-looking beast.
The Skoda Octavia vRS has a good number of strengths and a handful of weaknesses. It can be challenging to balance the needs of a family with the wants of a car lover, but the vRS offers that compromise. With the ability to swallow all the family paraphernalia, still have room for the weekly shop, and provide some sporty fun and hot hatch styling, you’ve got the best of both worlds in one neatly wrapped package.
Tested: Skoda Octavia vRS Hatch
Price: £39,285
Average Janes Rating: ★★★★☆
