Skoda Octavia VRS comparison; New Skoda VRS Road Test & Review

The Skoda Octavia vRS sits at the top of the Octavia range. You get a top-of-the-range infotainment system with two large screens, an Alcantara dashboard and door trims, a pair of super comfy vRS branded sports seats and some sporty aluminium pedals as well as rear privacy glass and some nice black badges, which match the chunky black grill at the front. Alloys are 19" as standard and come with some sexy red calipers. You get a choice of 10 paint colours and there's no extra charge for the metallics. Inside the Octavia VRS, the controls are intuitive to use and clear to see, however, the lack of a volume knob is rather annoying as its been swapped for a touch sensitive strip which isn't illuminated. At night, the vRS looks especially nice thanks to mood lighting that's also customisable. You now get a decent digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel that can mirror the sat-nav's maps on the car's big screen. The new TFT touch screen now sits below the dashboard making it perfectly positioned and unobtrusive. The graphics are well defined and vibrant, plus the screen responds to gestures like pinch and swipe very well. Sat-nav is fitted as standard and the vRS also comes with a year's subscription to Skoda's connected services, so it can do things like route around congestion and check fuel prices at petrol stations on your journey.
The Octavia vRS is a brilliant family car not just because it's hugely spacious for its size, but because it is also quiet and comfortable. It's a hot hatch with smooth edges, a car that you will really enjoy driving when you find yourself without passengers on an empty road.
Theres a decent sound system with a digital DAB Radio, but you'll probably prefer to use the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto that comes with the VRS as standard. Options worth considering include the £335 wireless phone charging and upgrading to the £590 Canton stereo, a 600W system with 12 speakers and a subwoofer in the boot that comes with Dolby 5.1 surround sound. The spare wheel option at £187 is also highly recommended as the puncture repair kits currently supplied by manufacturers are completely useless.

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[MartinKillips]

Excellent presentation. You are a natural - not quite BBC English but perfectly acceptable! Lots of information given clearly with confidence and humour. Enjoyed the review very much.

[jamiemercer]

Same as mine. Petrol, manual, but mine is the best colour, race blue. 6000 miles done and I enjoy every drive I do in it.

[dannysavin]

‘There isn’t a knob insight in this car’ I beg to differ 😂

[Lophius]

Waiting for my Octavia RS next month. Cant wait! Greetings from Czec republic.

[greezoid]

I have a 70 plate ( Jan 21) VRS MK4 and it is full of software problems, problems that all the VAG group cars have. Screen freezing for days, not remembering users or settings, ACC seeing things that are not there and braking. SOS controls calling emergency services at random. If you do go for this car make sure you check the software version is at least version 1896 or higher. DO NOT buy if it shows an earlier version and insist that the S/W version is at least 1896. My car was off the road at the dealers for 40 days from new. I have now managed to reject the car but have had the latest software installed and it now drives like a dream. Unfortunately 20 months of trouble on a new vehicle not fit for purpose and the promise of fix not coming till late August meant i had to reject. A real shame the car didnt come as advertised as she drives great and soo smooth. Lastly you will absolutely love the matrix headlights, its like a light orchestra in the complete dark. Something i will miss.

[iancourtney]

Great, and enjoyable review! I have owned a standard Octavia for over two years...will have to purchase a VRS next!... great cars👍👍

[KurtzMista]

AJ, love the reviews on these Skodas. Thinking on getting one of these Octavias after driving a non-vRS 140 TSI version hire car here in sunny Queensland. A bit longer than the 110 Kamiq I have as a daily but more responsive, more swift, and I love the turn by turn HUD.

Then again the Cupra Born will be available here in Aus soon so also interested in that! Will watch your video on it now.

[rogersteele]

Great review, I will go down to my nearest showroom to see if there’s a deal to be had

[deshave]

Brilliant review. Thank you so very much.

[thepunisher]

00.07 fabulous car, I know because I have one

[andy]

Brilliant review of Octavia vrs thanks ay

[MartinKillips]

By the way, I have a 2017 Octavia VRS and it does have electronically adjustable front seats. It also keeps a memory of the setting too.

[mkkravist]

You will NOT be getting the same performance with the hybrid because the electric will disappear after a few miles and then you’re left with an underpowered petrol. If you buy a vRS why would you want a half baked version. Go for the petrol every day.

[WhiteGoldtube]

Don't expect adaptive suspension, it's an extra (like the reverse camera). Although, both should standard as essential.

[rogersteele]

Hi. I think it said in the video that the adaptive suspension was included but I thought it was an extra at about £950 extra.

[fishler]

You can turn the rear vents off. Just push the middle lever to the left.

[mkkravist]

I prefer the face lifted mark 3, I hate these latest touchscreen only cars.

[humprey]

I think they now offer electronically adjusted seats...?

[mosermesser]

Enough space for some bo'oh'o'woa

[WanTime]

Adoptive sport suspension is a £1000 option