Mat’s Car of the Day: the Skoda Octavia vRS is a performance family car bargain
Car changing is a big deal
When Mat Watson reviewed the Skoda Octavia vRS, he was impressed by the combination of performance and practicality on offer. There are also some great deals available through Carwow to make it even more appealing.
Skoda makes some of the most sensible and practical family cars around, but if you want something which is sporty as well then you’ll want to check out its vRS models.
The Skoda Octavia vRS is a perfect case in point. It’s hugely spacious inside, has a massive boot, is packed with clever features and it delivers hot hatch performance as well. It’s a proper Jack-of-all-trades.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider an Octavia vRS as your next family car, as well as some drawbacks to consider. Also, if you want to find out more about what it’s like to live with, check out our long-term review.
Three reasons I love the Skoda Octavia vRS
1. Everyday practicality
In turning the Octavia into a sporty model, Skoda hasn’t compromised on the practicality this car is known for. It has loads of space in the back and a massive boot, especially if you go for the estate version.
Then there are Skoda’s “Simply Clever” features, which are little details that make the car easier to live with. There’s an ice scraper hidden behind the fuel flap, an umbrella in the door and a handy clip on the windscreen for your parking tickets, to name a few.
2. Punchy performance
Under the bonnet is the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as you’ll find in a Volkswagen Golf GTI, and it delivers 265hp to the front wheels. It’ll do 0-60mph in an impressive 6.4 seconds, and there are some suspension upgrades as well.
The Octavia vRS has a limited-slip differential on the front axle which can send up to 100% of the power to the wheel with the most grip, meaning it feels more agile through the bends. It’s really good to drive on a twisty road, while still being comfortable enough for daily driving.
3. It looks really smart
The Skoda Octavia vRS is one of the original sleeper cars. It looks just sporty enough that enthusiasts can tell it’s the performance model, but it’s not as in-your-face as something like a Honda Civic Type R. No wonder the police love to use these as unmarked pursuit cars.
Skoda has also started offering some wicked colour options if you do want to stand out. You can get the vRS in purple, bright yellow or, my personal favourite, this Hyper Green.
Skoda Octavia vRS deals and prices
One of the other benefits of a Skoda Octavia vRS over something like a BMW 3 Series is the price, because at just over £40,000 it costs less than a basic BMW. And there are some great deals available through Carwow to help you save even more.
Right now you can save almost £7,000 on the vRS hatchback, or just over £7,000 on the more practical Estate version. The latter is the one I’d choose because it’s got a bigger boot and, in my opinion, it looks better as well.
Three drawbacks to the Skoda Octavia vRS
1. Other performance cars are more fun
The Octavia handles really well on a twisty road, but it’s not the most playful performance family car. It feels very safe and secure, but something like a Cupra Leon Estate with the same engine will put a bigger smile on your face. It’s not as practical as the Skoda though.
2. The interior isn’t the best
It does feel a bit dark and dingy inside the Octavia. Things like the red stitching and sports seats do lift the vRS compared to the standard car, but there is still a lot of black plastic across the dashboard.
3. Annoying touchscreen controls
Quite a lot of the car’s functions are controlled through the touchscreen, and some are tricky to find. I wanted to turn off the stability control for a drag race, and it was buried five menus deep in the last place I’d expect to find it.
Small gripes aside though, if you’re looking for a practical performance car which is quick, good-looking and easy to live with, I’d highly recommend checking out the Skoda Octavia vRS.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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*Savings are made up of the maximum dealer discount off RRP – subject to dealership, location and trim. Prices correct at the time of writing.