Skoda Octavia vRS Estate 2017 in-depth review - Carbuyer

The Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is a high-performance version of the standard Skoda Octavia Estate. It gets the same engines that feature in the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Volkswagen Golf GTD, but it also offers a vast amount of interior and boot space, making it incredibly quick and hugely practical as an everyday family vehicle.

Its only real rival is the Ford Focus ST Estate, although Vauxhall and Renault also offer fairly powerful estates in the form of the Astra Sports Tourer and Megane Sports Tourer.

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Every week, Carbuyer's YouTube channel brings you simple and entertaining reviews on every major make and model that's available for sale in the UK. Plus you'll find frequently-updated top 10 features and the occasional group test for good measure.

[ardakaya]

We haven't seen you for a long time Ginny

[brianm]

7 minutes of my life I will never get back. Totally worth it.

[gbej]

Well, did it pass the carbuyer’s big bottle test?? What about the packet of crisps in the glovebox test? These are very important tests you know!

[kacperziajka]

This and the Leon ST Cupra are such bargains compared to the VW equivalent and any competition - Loads of performance, practicality and general ease. Very good.

[RobsonAlmeidaCarioca]

i'm glad you're back Ginny!!! we'd been missing you a lot!!!

[martinjames]

On a practical note, have heard good things about the Octavia especially the 2litre diesels. Optimum size wheels for handling on a car is 18 inch, but can still be too large with pot holes and bumpy roads. For comfort, 17 inch or smaller is better unless you have tyre ratio of 60 or higher.

[joshbacon]

The Octavia vRS Estate: It can humilate boy racers in their Corsas and Saxos in a traffic light grand prix... while carrying some IKEA flat packed furniture.

[aleksgrin]

clean interior first, before filming...

[Dahliaman]

For those with young children (or grandchildren like us) then I wish to say that we drive a Seat Leon (Sept' 2015 car) which is similar to the car reviewed here. I note the isofix in the Skoda looks very similar in layout to our Leon and the placement of the Isofix is superb, so easy to use :)

[MartinKillips]

My VRS has grabbed me in an emotional way. I adore this car - it is the most enjoyable car I've ever driven. It hugs the road as well as any sports car I've had previously. The only downside is I will likely lose points off my licence if I allow my emotions to stamp my right foot down omn the accelerator!

[BackyardSpaceProgram]

Ginny, James, I don't care who the presenter is, both are on point.
Like them both.

[mkkravist]

I have a DSG box and it’s one of the best things ever. Bloody awesome. More interested in Ginny though, absolutely gorgeous. Where have you been, Ginny?

[edfrost]

As an owner of a VRS since new 2014, points to note are : ride quality is very poor, it just never settles on UK roads and interior cabin noise is loud all gets very tiring on longer trips at 70. Grip is also very poor in the slightest of damp conditions on the FWD versions. Annoying sound enhancer can’t be switched off on the sport mode, gets very tiring, and normal setting just makes the engine feel very flat. Fundamentally this is a cheap FWD Volkswagen group parts bin special, it is neither fast, comfortable, exciting or engaging just offers lots of boot space, comfortable seats and low running costs. I have had ZERO faults with it, other than all the rattles and squeaks that set in after about 12 months on all skoda’s (cheaper materials/fit and finish). If you are in the market for a cheap estate I would thoroughly recommend it but just don’t expect much from it.

[moorerjames]

Nice to see you back on Carbuyer Ginny ! You and James make a good team.

[twig]

too much emphasis on superficial things like badges, ice scrapers and parking ticket holders.

No mention as to whether is has a spare wheel or even the storage space to carry one.

[RomainSandt]

Shes's back ! This channel used to have 3 great presenters! One is back yes!

[peacockealot]

I’d say your DSG box in the review car has a fault. The last two Skoda’s I’ve owned have been DSG and mines isn’t jumpy always very smooth. I wouldn’t go back to a manual.

[WahyuHidayat-tztu]

Glad you're back Ginny. How are you? It's been months! I miss your reviews tho. #Indonesia

[dummy]

Performance isn't bad. Love the colour.

[Strengthoftenmen]

Mate goes to use the ice scrapper and the petrol cap was frozen solid so he couldn’t get to it 😂