New Skoda Octavia vRS in-depth review: Do-it-all fast family car?

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Күн бұрын

2022 Skoda Octavia vRS review: carbyr.uk/3JABRuI
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The Skoda Octavia vRS shares its parts with the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Cupra Leon, but is much more practical. It’s available as either a hatchback, like the one we tested, or an estate; both will swallow huge amounts of flatpack furniture or family clutter. The Skoda is fantastically easy to live with, then, but will also put a smile on your face on a twisty backroad. You can choose the versatile vRS with petrol, diesel and even plug-in hybrid engines, with the latter being a particularly attractive company car. It’s not the most exciting hot hatchback on sale, but should it be the one you pick? Nicola puts it to the test.
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00:00 - Introduction
02:15 - Interior and technology
03:56 - Driving
07:29 - Boot space
08:15 - Rear seats
8:37 - Dealmakers and dealbreakers
9:23 - Verdict

Пікірлер: 126

@sjcap4233 9 ай бұрын

This car looks so much better than a Golf Gti , I would choose this over the Golf GTI any day.

@Phildouf 2 жыл бұрын

Nicola has got the right balance of confidence and humour! And she’s very natural in delivering the review. A keeper for Carbuyer!

@MMD-z6z 2 жыл бұрын

She hides her boot cunningly (full points)

@tonyg8047 Жыл бұрын

Totally agree. I used to watch Mat Watson, but he's becoming ridiculous to watch these days. Nicola, Rory and the team from Parkers are way ahead in these reviews now. Entertaining, but informative ! Oh and check out Auto social!

@Nickbaldeagle02 8 ай бұрын

I predict she'll move sideways to Electrifying.

@manuelg8050 2 жыл бұрын

I quite like it. Hatch back in a non boxy shape. It even has a rear wiper, which many similar shaped cars dont offer. And the space is awsome! Not to forget a manual gearbox option

@maz500 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, it has a 3 box design which Ford used to do with the Escort which I actually miss a lot

@akucismarko 8 ай бұрын

Great review! Really enjoyed it! Thanks! Greetings from Latvia!

@anthonystevens8683 2 жыл бұрын

A great review Nicola! These are real sleeper cars, they look like an every day family car but with so much more room inside than you would expect. I had one of the previous shape petrol green pump jobbies. It may look a tad 'boring' but press that loud pedal and they go much better than you may expect. A four wheel drive version should be much better at putting that power down as well (compare to the 2wd one I had). They are big cars though so parking and manoeuvring can be interesting.

@markscrivener979 2 жыл бұрын

Agree with the comments here. I have just sold my 2L diesel DSG Octavia and bought a 69 plate plate manual petrol vrs. The suspension is so much more sophisticated and comfortable. Could be the ideal all round car.

@jamesmccormack3229 2 жыл бұрын

I love these! Think it's a real smart handsome looking car. I actually love the subtle sports styling, with great practicality and really nice interior, for me it's a solid contender.

@stevelayton3695 2 жыл бұрын

I had to give my VRS iV back because of all the software and hardware issues. New SOS control module, software updates which fixed nothing, tail gate not opening on the key unless you stood right next to it, weird chirping from the alarm when getting in the car, rear lights flashing when parked for no reason, constant fault notifications popping up, over 20 in 2 miles once and on and on. Swapped it for Cupra Leon PHEV and so far so good that's been great.

@Shithappenswhenu 2 жыл бұрын

I had been lusting after one of these for two years, even took for a test drive recently and loved it....BUT am now happy I never jumped. They still haven’t sorted the infotainment even after the said software "fixes" and as an owner that would drive me bonkers! Sticking with my golf 7.5 and normal hvac physical 'knobs' for few more years.

@placepages8071 Жыл бұрын

It also had no 12volt socket at the front so forget dash cams and laptop chargers. Rubbish

@bbarxx 2 жыл бұрын

I've had the 2021 Skoda Octavia vRS wagon/estate since June 2021, in the last 4 weeks, two issues have popped up, 1. Emergency Assistance SOS, 2. Travel Assistance. Called the dealership, have to take it back in to have diagnostics performed in early April. Possible issue is faulty module in the steering wheel that detects hand. Possible fix, steering wheel replacement. I have the base model vRS, no extras, purchased new in Australia.

@matthewgodfrey5292 2 жыл бұрын

Didn't they used to just be diesel? Question, when you plug in android auto, what does that mean for using the temp buttons? Do they stay on the screen?

@Grandinfotainment 2 жыл бұрын

Love ❤️ for Nicole reviews 😍.

@jungleguybest 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this VRS hatchback, i want one in this color, those wheels, awd, and since it's a dual clutch i take it over the manual, but i want physical buttons, not touch. Thank you Santa 😊

@pbrinzei 2 жыл бұрын

Can you try to equalize the sound? I got the feeling I am def or that my speakers are going to wake up my house...

@shiharl 2 жыл бұрын

Please do a review of the facelift i30N DCT. Would love to see how it stack up against these cars.

@danielbrown4253 Жыл бұрын

Does it have front and rear parking sensors standard

@Iceberg1313 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nicola for another enjoyable natter on a car. I have the boring 😁 standard Combi in petrol. Got it the beginning of 21 and within a few weeks it was nearly divorce between Laura , Skoda's little chatterbox, and me. Got her gagged and managed away with manually controlling the heating etc. About mid year I got a second update and for some reason it let Laura loose again. I tried setting the heating to my side of the car and damn if she didn't get it right. She gets the heating right, my phone calls out going are actually going to the right person, she use to dial the wrong person, heated seats can be controlled by her etc. Won't turn on the heated steering wheel, though I suppose I have to do some bits myself, didn't want to turn into a total lazy git. My updates have made a big difference to the user friendly side of things, yes the screen can be a little slow now and again, especially at startup you can grab a quick snooze while waiting for the screen to wake up, but people have to realize it's not an iPad with instant response. I suppose if it ever gets that user friendly we'll end up paying even more for it so people are going to complain anyway, just can't win.

@Kingsoupturbo 2 жыл бұрын

Good looking! first car in the last 20 reviews I'd actually buy! (and yet I keep on watching them, and they don't even sell most of them in Canada)

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

You keep doing what you're doing...

@tomattime 2 жыл бұрын

A, sublime review. Informative, pacey and fun.

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

More to come!

@tomattime 2 жыл бұрын

@@carbuyer popcorn at the ready

@rg6982 2 жыл бұрын

I can watch Nichola review any car 😆fantastic personality as well as great knowledge when it comes to reviewing a car properly

@puttajay 2 жыл бұрын

This felt like i was watching a fast show comedy sketch about car reviewers

@mica412 2 жыл бұрын

At the time of writing, with diesel on average 20 pence a litre more than petrol, is it really a more economical way of driving???

@Bazza47 2 жыл бұрын

A fair review there Nicola. I'm on my 2nd vRS now. The first was a diesel but as I don't do that many miles now, circa 4-5k a year my latest is a petrol and driven smoothly you can still get reasonable consumption out of it, plus of course you do have those extra horses available if you do want to play and there's no DPF to worry about either so sort of win win.

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Win win!

@Shithappenswhenu 2 жыл бұрын

I agree it's like a bigger more practical gti.., But What about the ppf?

@Bazza47 2 жыл бұрын

@@Shithappenswhenu I have one of the very last petrol vRS's that doesn't have one so it's not a concern for me though a mate high up in the motor industry said the PPF won't cause problems like the DPF can, but if you're worried about either of those then you're only option would be a full fat EV

@placepages8071 Жыл бұрын

@@carbuyer should you not have highlighted there is no 12volt socket for dash cams , laptop chargers etc? Many on online forums not happy and only realise after buying. I'd bring it back

@stan_austin 2 жыл бұрын

Take delivery of my VRS in velvet red in June, can’t wait! Petrol of course 😀

@placepages8071 Жыл бұрын

When did you realise there was no 12volt charger at the front lol

@Brian-om2hh 2 жыл бұрын

It was a major talking point in my locality a while ago, when our local rag had details of a bloke being pulled on the M6 (which is just a couple of miles from our village) for doing 152mph in a Skoda....... A VRS of course. And even the diesel VRS will hit 140mph.

@Silver-st2zq 2 жыл бұрын

Probably the only thing VW wise i would buy but with physical buttons 👍

@BACK2PORT 2 жыл бұрын

I've always liked the VRS. But damn they need to add some flaired arches and it would look 30% better

@skywalkerjones 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks to Instagram comments I now found yet another car I’ve never heard of because I’m in the US

@VmcgHD 2 жыл бұрын

This was the exact car I was going to replace my last Octavia VRS diesel with. Sadly when I was getting prices it was easily over £120 more a month to lease than my previous Octavia. I just simply couldn’t justify that in what was essentially almost an identical car but with better styling and a more modern interior. Since Diesel prices have soared through the roof too, I’m not actually that sad I didn’t go for it. I opted for a Toyota Corrola GR Sport estate instead. Similar MPG, Diesel would just beat it but it was over £130 less a month to lease. No brainier for me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@gejalakshmileelakrishnan3583 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@whitemoor66 2 жыл бұрын

Great review Nicola. Skoda interiors are definitely better than VW ones now, this looks lovely inside - apart from the lack of twiddly doo climate controls of course 😂. Massive boot too. Still don't like their recent front grille treatment though, but at least you don't see that from the driver's seat!

@Brian-om2hh 2 жыл бұрын

Skoda build quality is often better than VW these days too..... It's as if Skoda have never lost sight of the thought that, since Volkswagen bought the company, they have something to prove......and prove it they frequently do. Skoda now produce cars which stand comparison with any others at the same price.... Skoda's eye for detail is also a plus. My first Skoda - a new Fabia in 2001 - had little sliding storage drawers under each front seat, and little hooks in the boot for carrier bags to hang on. Since then, everyone else has them of course..... I loved my 2 Octavia's - a Mk1 and a Mk2. Really great practical cars..

@antonychesters9803 2 жыл бұрын

Had my race blue petrol dsg estate for almost 12 months now. VAG infotainment is an abomination but still love the car in every other way. Looks great too.

@murrieteacher 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think it is boring. In Australia the after sales service is boring if not nearly non existent. It is the after sales support that has made3 me order an i30 N line.

@markuslc1888 2 жыл бұрын

it's just said you are forced to a sportsuspension, since the standard octavia with 200hp and dcc in sport mode is more than capable for most tight bends, but if you want a comfy ride due to bad roads, you just switch to comfort, whereas the rs is only between stiff and very stiff, so if you like to combine the looks of the rs with the red stitches, but want the comfy suspension...well unlucky...they should ve made the sportsuspension an option, so they could make all happy, when it comes to driving comfort.

@user-jh9tu4hu9l 2 жыл бұрын

Practical video 👌

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

The ONLY word to sum it up!

@user-jh9tu4hu9l 2 жыл бұрын

@@carbuyer I watch your videos for learning English not buying car 😁 you have lovely British accent and speak clearly 🤞

@razvanciurez 2 жыл бұрын

I like your outfit, you look very nice! Oh, and the car it's ok.

@soultanasmaga9661 10 ай бұрын

Nice

@bojansalmic9811 2 жыл бұрын

this is firts Skoda i really like....only in Combi version...

@ram64man 6 ай бұрын

I have taken a 3 month work loaner , brand new vs estate , while petrol is preferred, my daily mileage on call out repairs for thf grid makes diesel a no brainier, we’re talking truck drivers range a day , 6bday week and only fill up 2 twice a week So far after 16k miles in a little over 4 weeks it’s been brilliant, road warriors out there serious givd it a go , it beats the Astra or even the bmw 3 series for package to price and beats it on miles per gallon as well motorway headlights have saved me twice from suicidal deer , and Spear a rare thing now days handy for a quick change than wait for tho tow after a significant derby Punctured the side wall at 50mph roadworks debris, I still can’t work out why the rear wiper was fitted to new cars it’s a godsend in a heavy downpour or after the cars covered in road dirt etc and that after the twice monthly wash and maintenance.

@peterclark5242 5 ай бұрын

Big dig at diesels here! Are you still stuck in the 80s with your Smokey diesels as you put.

@rakeshpopat8851 2 жыл бұрын

VERY nice car.

@stevencampbell1150 2 жыл бұрын

A couple of questions, it doesn't look like a diesel?! What's a diesel supposed to look like? Speaking as a diesel driver that was a daft thing to say I feel plus whilst it may not be the popular option I think it's the best option. Not everybody wants a petrol or a stupid plug in hybrid which I think is the most pointless thing in the world and I say that because if you want petrol, go for petrol, if you want an electric car get an electric car but the halfway house that is the plug in hybrid is daft. Not only that but also we're not all company car drivers.

@Tbiddz1 2 жыл бұрын

No manual in the diesel version

@danielkidd1668 2 жыл бұрын

Diesel isn't the choice of many now especially around London

@misterhoeflak 2 жыл бұрын

Funny that you say it looks like an undercover cop car. NZ Police is currently updating its fleet from Holden (RIP) to Skoda! 😄

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

There are one or two in the UK too!

@Shaggy-8392 2 жыл бұрын

For that money wouldn't you be better off with a recent beamer?

@FreelandersCZE 2 жыл бұрын

It is clear that he praises it when it is a Czech car. This is a guarantee of quality

@colinrenfrew48 2 жыл бұрын

Get over the badge and this is a great car.

@adityagupta101 2 жыл бұрын

This girl reminds me of Kelly Kapoor from The Office (US)

@markdean3217 2 жыл бұрын

I really like this lady, she is an excellent reviewer, but has she ever thought about getting into politics ❓. I would vote for her ❗️❗️

@MettySebastian 5 ай бұрын

❤❤

@TheLittleRedCali 2 жыл бұрын

Not really sure the appetite is there for these cars now. Looks a bit dated and that laggy infotainment system is abysmal to look at and use.

@logiclee1 2 жыл бұрын

Octavia is Skoda's best selling model world wide by a fair margin so the figures would suggest otherwise.

@TheLittleRedCali 2 жыл бұрын

@@logiclee1 Lee I’m not sure what figures you’ve been looking at but new diesel car sales have fallen dramatically over the last couple of years. They account for only 5% of the market share in 2021 as compared with 25% in 2019.

@logiclee1 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLittleRedCali Octavia sales. Skoda sold 260000 in 2020, their next biggest seller was the Karoq with around 170000 sales. I wasn't specifically targeting diesel as you only quoted "These Cars" and went on to quote the looks and infotainment not the fuel choice.

@andrewfoster1316 Жыл бұрын

its always a witty review when nicola does it and its the same which ever car she reviews we like the humar and wit and yes i agree a keeper for car buyer reviews. woman needs a pay rise ha ha

@Darthadios 2 жыл бұрын

I never considered Octavia a hatchback, Fabia is but Octavia isn´t. That is like calling Mercedes C-class or Volkswagen Jetta as hatchback.

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

It may look like a saloon/sedan but the boot lid is hinged from the roof, making it a hatchback!

@Fastwunz 2 жыл бұрын

the moment i heard it was a diesel i lost interest.

@Coastmac2001 2 жыл бұрын

I'd take one, but only if the diesel variant was still available in Australia! It's not , so I guess Skoda here miss out on a sale!

@award9912 2 жыл бұрын

i know something more practical , skoda superb 272 sportline , more room , bigger boot , more kit as standard 4 wheel drive and faster . 0-60 5.3 sec i know as have had 3 vrs octavias which are fab , but i much prefer superb .....

@AlexanderAnayaZambrano 2 жыл бұрын

Skoda stopped being the ugly duckling of Europe since 1996, when it was integrated into the Vag Group, today it is an excellent brand that delivers quality, safety and reliability, congratulations to Skoda and the Czechs

@stephandolby 2 жыл бұрын

More of a people's car than the purported people's car that is the Golf.

@tanner1ie Жыл бұрын

It's not really my sort of car, but just skimming the Skoda website it unfortunately doesn't let you configure actual cars, only flick through starting prices, trims and engine types , but if I'm reading it right is it only available as a bloody automatic?! That's not a good thing for any car but certainly not for a model that's supposed to be sporty!! 😯😂😀🤘

@mgcarmkm4520 Жыл бұрын

You can put it in D and drive it like an automatic or S and change using the paddle shifters. DSG is basically a manual gearbox with electronic shifting.

@tanner1ie Жыл бұрын

@@mgcarmkm4520 It's not the same thing, it may be "close", but it's still an automatic! 😯😂🩲😀🤘

@n54ll64 2 жыл бұрын

That doesn't look like 600L boot space.

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

Can confirm it's massive!

@duncansarginson1816 2 жыл бұрын

At last, a review of a proper car. The future is not electric!

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

We cover it all at Carbuyer! But the future may still be electric...

@prashantkaher9950 2 жыл бұрын

In India we call these cars sedans not hatchbacks

@LHawkesDrums 2 жыл бұрын

Sedan is small boot opening, hatchback is the entire back opening.

@prashantkaher9950 2 жыл бұрын

@@LHawkesDrums ok

@Trebor2024 2 жыл бұрын

1:42 …diesel and low running costs!…Not at the moment, have you seen the price of diesel? 😳

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

That is very true. This was filmed a month or two ago!

@jatinjitsinghmann730 2 ай бұрын

Handling down.. u got to be kidding

@265justy 2 жыл бұрын

Just another version off the Golf GTi. I prefer independent car brands.

@Theo_005 2 жыл бұрын

👍

@markbirtles7066 Жыл бұрын

Can someone call it an Ocataaayyyyvia for a change ? Instead of a bloody Octarrrrvia ?

@Alisher1 2 жыл бұрын

love u

@Silver-st2zq 2 жыл бұрын

🤢

@ankur29 Жыл бұрын

people should only consider buying a VAG car if they can afford it brand new. Have owned several VW and Audi and these German cars are just not reliable. Only good during their woefully short warranty period (3 years or 60,000 miles), which actually doesn't make financial sense to me for parting with circa 40k. Buying these used, the DSG transmission, is a ball ache to repair and maintain. Avoid second hand. Best would be to buy Japanese if you want to keep the car without issues/are buying second hand and don't want the headache with something failing every other week.

@boogboog8097 2 жыл бұрын

Low running costs in the UK.... 😂💩

@ziplepingouin1186 2 жыл бұрын

oh look a ghost!

@simon6652 Жыл бұрын

I can’t work out what type of audience she pitches to? She’s talking like she’s trying to convince a child to eat their dinner because pudding might follow. There’s a constant sarcastic tone to everything she talks about.

@AR-zr1om 2 жыл бұрын

Anyone thinking of buying this don't! I have one and the infotainment cuts out constantly. Skoda are unable to fix it and it's a known bug. Car wow uses one as itsong term car and it has the same bugs.

@Dave-gg6vl 2 жыл бұрын

I have had one for around 4 months now and have had no issues with the infotainment system. My other mate who has one has no issues either. Maybe need a firmware update with yours. Ive got the 2021 240bhp VRS 2.0 TSI (petrol) estate version.

@AR-zr1om 2 жыл бұрын

@@Dave-gg6vl mines a 70 reg 2.0 petrol too. The issue is the screen will freeze and the nav won't load on the digital cockpit. It's a known fault with all vw group cars. I know a few people who have been lucky and not had it happen but most people I work with that have the vw group cars from the last 2 or so years are having these issues. Most of the time they're fine but then randomly the screens will cut out and I will have access to nothing not even radio

@samsam-tt3bk 2 жыл бұрын

thats a jetta

@navinsim9226 2 жыл бұрын

Dry y

@tahsin28 2 жыл бұрын

Its not brilliant It's simply clever

@carbuyer 2 жыл бұрын

See what you did there, Tahsin ;-)

@karlpeart1752 2 жыл бұрын

The outside looks bloody awful

@DEGU12023 Жыл бұрын

In 2023 they now use these as police cars

@Br1anuk 2 жыл бұрын

That rear end is hideous.

@Fastwunz Жыл бұрын

It’s just a bit….. slow…..

@yesman2755 2 жыл бұрын

Looks dated already. Previous model looks more up to date. Octavia had had its day, time to retire the model I reckon.

@julianroberts5407 2 жыл бұрын

Retire the model? The Octavia is still Skoda's number 1 seller and the core of the brand!

@robbeard6929 4 ай бұрын

God, you think you are someone but ain't got not clue, trying to cool but not a clue.

@placepages8071 Жыл бұрын

This car has no 12volt socket in the front = epic fail. No dash cam or laptop chargers. Rubbish

@BrianMcCann421 2 жыл бұрын

My goodness, I feel tired after watching this, her voice is an octave higher than it should be. What an unfortunate presenting style

@florinbala8669 2 жыл бұрын

back is getting uglier by each new edition ... already horrible...

@pomerau 2 жыл бұрын

I'm afraid that for me the amateur comedian routine who never runs their own material in front of a real audience has long become too wearisome, childish and patronising. Treat viewers with respect and it comes across better. I think I'm hilarious but I'm sure I would die a death on a stage. Just sayin...