Origin: Skoda Octavia Liftback Detailed Test

SkodOctavi- a car that needs no introduction. He is the star of taxi companies and one of the bestsellers on the Russian market - it doesn't matter if we are talking about new cars or used ones. Anyone who reads this text has probably come across Octavia personally. But ask: what is it about her? And nine out of ten respondents will confidently point to the trunk. Is the big hold really all that attracts the Russians to the Czech car? Let's try to sort out the rest of its advantages. And the disadvantages, too, where without them

SkodOctavi1.4 TSI DSG 1,140,000 - 1,609,000 ₽ Editor's Choice Options Style (150 HP), 1,544,000 ₽ Author rating: 4.8 out of 5 Pros

• Comfortable interior and large trunk
• Good handling
• Economical engine

Minuses

• Boring salon
• Rigid suspension
• You will have to pay extra for a lot

Ownership cost per year with a mileage of 17,500 km: OSAGO 11,992 ₽ CASCO 44,875 ₽ Maintenance per year 20,322 ₽ Transport tax 5,250 ₽ Fuel 61,030 ₽ Total 143 469 ₽

* The cost of policies and tax are calculated for Moscow and a driver over 22 years of age and with over 4 years of experience

The third generation of the Czech liftback debuted in 2013, and four years later the car underwent a restyling that left an imprint on its face, but did not change its essence. Over the years, Octavi has managed to participate in a bunch of tests - single and comparative, lengthy and not so long. We are also familiar with its predecessors.

Therefore, starting our test, we did not hope to learn something new, but simply wanted to refresh our knowledge and impressions of this car. Skod has long become a kind of reference value for many - a starting point against which we involuntarily rank other cars. For convenience, handling, comfort … And the trunks of all sedans and hatchbacks, it seems, are forever divided into "small", "large" and "almost like Octavia."

However, this SkodOctavi with a 150-horsepower turbo engine and DSG still found something to surprise. We tell you what we learned about the test car, which, in the maximum configuration of Style and with additional equipment packages, costs 1 667 300 rubles.

Interior

Let's start with the already textbook truths - the driver of the Octavia has nothing to complain about. The seat is comfortable, the ergonomics are close to ideal, all the knobs are where they are needed, and are pressed and rotated flawlessly. I would like to sit a little lower, but this is already so, whims.

The quality of the interior is also hard to find fault with. The materials are decent, the top of the panel is soft, the joints of the parts are smooth. Yes, you yourself saw it all, even in the cheap version for a taxi with a mileage of a couple of hundred thousand kilometers. But why does not even the maximum Style-interior - with a large multimedia display, dual-zone climate control and digital instrumentation - look more respectable than the basic one? The answer seems to be in design: too gloomy in its blackness and too straightforward in its cult of functionality. They did not save on materials: the combination of a soft top with a hard bottom is also found on premium models of the "German troika", but for any liberty the artists were clearly given a hand with the same ruler on which all this was drawn.

Practicality

Yes, everyone knows the Skod is spacious and has a large boot. That among her classmates she has no equal in terms of the volume of transported cargo and the space for passengers in the back. For this, as we have already said, many people buy it. But how big is it really? We take the rulers, raise the archives and … Octavi is impressive! It gives more seats to passengers in the back than Camry, Mazda6 and Optima. Why are there D-class sedans - KiSportage is closer in the back row, and even the leader among crossovers, the new RAV4 can only boast that it has a higher ceiling. And the legroom is about the same.

An impartial tape measure shows that the Octavi's trunk size is at least as good as the crossovers from our triple test. Except that the wheel arches of the liftback narrow the compartment more.But in terms of the number of devices for transporting cargo, even the Volkswagen Tiguan cannot be compared with it.

Technique and reliability

Following the tradition laid down by past generations, the "third" SkodOctavi was born after the seventh generation Golf. At the heart of both cars is the MQB platform, they have a bunch of common components, starting with the powertrains and ending with small accessories in the cabin. Only the Octavia, unlike the rest of the family (which also includes the Seat Leon and Audi A3), received a stretched body. The wheelbase of the Czech liftback is 5 centimeters longer, and the total length is more than 40. Another four centimeters - and you get a 7-seater Kodiaq! That's where there is such space behind the driver.

In Europe, the Octavi is offered with a variety of chassis versions, including all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers. But we were deprived of the great agony of choice. The cars are front-wheel drive only and differ only in the rear suspension. On the most powerful version, this is a multi-link design, while simpler cars have a twisting beam. All Russian Octavias are sold with a bad road package (a different set of springs and shock absorbers).

The choice of engines has shrunk to three by 2020, and they are all gasoline. Our favorite is the basic 110-horsepower 1.6 - because it is atmospheric and because you can get a classic “automatic” with it. The next in terms of power and popularity is the 1.4 TSI turbo engine (150 hp), which stands under the hood of the test liftback. It can also be bought with "mechanics", but most prefer the 7-speed "robot" DSG. Finally, fans of fast driving are offered a 180-horsepower 1.8 TSI - also turbocharged and now exclusively with a robotic gearbox.

Contrary to the fears largely generated by the previous generation, the Octavi- is a fairly reliable car. The problems that she can still present mainly relate to the power unit, and the more powerful it is, the more painful its malfunctions hit the wallet.

The notorious “maslozhor” has not been completely cured and may even strike the atmospheric version. But on restyled cars, this trouble happens less often and, as a rule, already at a decent mileage. The timing chain in the 1.8 engine stretches less, and for a 150-horsepower engine, it was completely replaced by a belt. Valves of turbochargers and injection nozzles still require attention, thermostats sometimes fail, but 150 thousand km without serious breakdowns today is more a rule than an exception.

DSG is not so scary as it is painted. After numerous upgrades, a robotic gearbox with "dry" clutches is able to successfully overcome the same path as the engine - you just need to change the oil in it on time. Perhaps, in the middle of the distance, you will need to wave these very clutches, but this procedure has long been worked out in services and is no longer too expensive.

Riding

At least, it definitely pays off with the convenience that DSG gives every day. It seems that the robot is always aware of what is happening on the road, be it an avenue with heavy traffic or a suburban highway, where the pace is limited only by cameras. At the right moment, he carefully slips the motor with the next of his seven gears. Some discrepancy between the driver's desires and Octavia's reactions to the gas pedal appears only in Eco-mode, but he is forgivable, you must agree. Moreover, there is more wine here than the engine, which, for the sake of fuel economy, seems to be sedated by an injection.

The 1.4 TSI engine is relatively new (Octavi got it during restyling) and is great for the liftback. In its usual state, it starts active actions already at 1500 rpm, and then gives out its maximum 250 Nm of thrust, giving the driver a pleasant feeling of “headroom under the pedal”. Want even more? Place the power unit in Sport mode. The accelerator will become more sensitive, and the box will linger longer at a lower stage.

However, it makes little sense to turn the motor with a small turbine "into the cut-off" - when the tachometer needle goes over the middle of the scale, the acceleration rate begins to drop.Only the sound of the previously quiet engine finally breaks into the cabin, but there are no overtones that caress the ear. So, gray noise. And the limiting capabilities of a 150-horsepower unit, which accelerates a large liftback to a hundred in more than eight seconds, do not boggle your imagination.

But the turbo engine pleasantly surprised me with a modest appetite. For a week of real operation in a truly combined cycle, including both morning-evening pushing in traffic jams, and out-of-town trips, the Skod consumed an average of only 7.5 l / 100 km! After that, it is quite believed in the stories of the owners that the turbo Octavia can keep within five liters per hundred on the highway.

All the advantages and disadvantages of the MQB chassis have long been known and described - the test Octavi has only decomposed them on the shelves anew. The liftback is harsh, in places too attentive to small things and does not like speed bumps, running over them with suspension blows. Much the same as Tiguan, Kodiaq, Audi Q3 and further down the list. And Octavia also wants to add soundproofing to the wheel arches - the noise from the tires is still a bit too much.

But the dignity is more important. The steering sensitivity and steering effort are close to ideal, there are no delays or non-linearities in the car's responses - in other words, the Octavi always goes exactly where the driver wants. On a straight line, it is stable, in turns - neutral. And when the tire reaches its limit, the Skod begins to slide off the trajectory with all four wheels, smoothly turning into a controlled slip into a skid under the throttle release.

And in the end it turns out like with the interior. Everything is so correct and healthy that … boring. Trying to drive the Octavia quickly does not bring the desired pleasure. Does not get hot blood. This is probably what an ideal family car should be like. An indicative moment: at first, with some kind of micro-update, the button for disabling the stabilization system disappeared from the central tunnel, and now it cannot be turned off at least partially even through the menu - there is no such item! But sometimes you want - both the chassis and the engine allow … Perhaps the 180-strong version with a multi-link will be more reckless. And at the same time, more comfortable. But you need to pay extra for it, though not a fantastic amount. What kind? Let's count.

Equipment

The basic version of the Octavia is called Active, and its price starts with 1,140,000 rubles for a car with a 110-horsepower engine and 5-speed "mechanics". The level of equipment is frankly budgetary. There is a stabilization system, air conditioning, power windows "in a circle", a radio with Bluetooth and 4 speakers. However, there are only two airbags, the front seats are unheated and with a minimum of adjustments, and the rear one is without a third headrest. But the huge trunk is already available!

Having paid 80,000 rubles, it is already possible to purchase Octavia with an "automatic", and for additional 91,000 rubles - a version with a turbo engine and a 6-speed "mechanics".

Second level of equipment Ambition at a price from 1 313 000 rubles is already available with all powertrain options and is the most popular with buyers. This is Octavi, a healthy person who does not feel that he has been saved on it wherever possible. With side cushions, a center armrest, more comfortable front seats, heated seats, cruise control, a power outlet, USB ports in the back, and much more than a little more. The surcharge for more powerful motors is less here - the hit version 1.6 AT costs 1,362,000 rubles, the version with 1.4 TSI and DSG - 1,418,000 rubles, and for the top-end 1.8 TSI (and for the multi-link, remember?) you need to pay another 65 thousand. Total 1,483,000 rubles.

The third, richest package Style maintains price subordination between the motors, keeping within the fork of 1,439,000 - 1,609,000 rubles. With it, the buyer receives safety curtains, a choice of driving modes, parking sensors, alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel with buttons, ambient lighting …

Then the configurator rolls out a long list of packages and options. A customer who chooses Ambition can get the full Style, but not wholesale, but retail. But the top-end equipment is just the beginning of the choice.For a surcharge, it has LED headlights, a parking lot, leather or suede upholstery, a full set of heaters and an autonomous heater, navigation and a Canton audio system … Taking a calculator in hand, we were able to take the bar of two million. Interestingly, at least someone did it in reality?

Competitors

KiCeed

Второй по популярности пятидверный автомобиль в российском гольф-классе. Ceed компактнее, у него маленький багажник, но хэтч свежо выглядит и интересно едет. Выбор силовых агрегатов меньше - либо атмосферный 1.6 (128 л.с.) с автоматом или механикой, либо турбированный 1.4 (140 сил) с роботизи­рованной коробкой. Цены от 1 154 900 до 1 639 900 рублей" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

KiProCeed

ProCeed – попытка корейцев совместить дизайн и спортивный имидж с практичностью. Моторы только мощные и турбированные (140 или 200 л.с.), кузов типа «shooting brake», большой багажник. Однако он всё равно меньше, чем у Октавии. ProCeed заметно дороже, чем обычный Ceed – 1 584 900 – 2 044 900 рублей, и покупают его вяло (меньше 100 штук в месяц) " style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

SkodOctaviCombi

Багажник универсала ещё больше, чем у хэтчбека. Но его предлагают только с мотором 1.4 TSI и DSG, а главное – собирают в Чехии. Из-за этого цены на версию Combi начинаются с 1 985 000 рублей (Ambition), и её выбирает в среднем лишь один из 220 покупателей Октавии " style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Mazda3

Красивый хэтчбек с хорошим шасси, но слабыми атмосферными моторами (120 или 150 л.с.). Не может похвастаться практичностью и вообще экономит на пассажирах, а стоит тоже немало – от 1 490 000 до 1 753 000 рублей. Продажи ещё слабее, чем у KiProCeed, но каков дизайн! " style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

conclusions

It is too late to make predictions, as well as to give advice. Most of those who decided for themselves - to buy, not to buy or to look at competitors - made their choice without us. Octavi confidently leads the market race, despite the past years, one and a half times superior to the fresher and more interesting outwardly KiCeed.

But the car of this generation will leave the Russian market closer to winter - of course, if the coronavirus does not confuse all plans of Skoda. The new Octavi is already on sale in Europe, and we are forced to wait a bit while its local assembly is established. Judging by the European configurators, the car will rise in price even without jumps in currency rates. Therefore, we will give one recommendation: those who are still hesitating with a choice should probably hurry up. However, the new Octavi looks more interesting, and its interior is trendy, with a tablet. So someone else may come in handy and our other advice: be patient.

Characteristics SkodOctaviIII Restyling

Equipment

1.4 AMT (150 HP)

Engine

1.4 l / 150 hp / gasoline

Transmission

robot box

Drive unit

front

Body

Liftback

Fuel consumption

4.9

Acceleration to 100 km / h

8.2

Price, ₽

1 667 300

All characteristics Car catalog