Skoda Octavia Estate (2013 – 2020) Review

Skoda Octavia Estate (2013 – 2020) At A Glance

5/5

+Roomy. More load space than the old car. Flexible and practical. Haldex clutched 4WD Scout version.

-More expensive than before.

Insurance Groups are between 12–25
On average it achieves 81% of the official MPG figure

If you're looking for the newer version, you need our Skoda Octavia Estate review

The Skoda Octavia is the brand’s most popular model with good reason. It is a credible alternative to compact estates like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Renault Megane Sports Tourer but does so by offering more space than pretty much all of its rivals but without charging more for the privilege. It also ticks all the regular Skoda boxes; it’s well-built, well-specified and comes with a wide range of efficient engines. It might not be the best car in the class in terms of the driving experience.

As an estate there's stacks of room with 1,740 litres of space with the seats down, fold flat seats and plenty of cubbyholes. This time though, Skoda has turned the practicality up a notch and thought about those small touches that make a difference to everyday life.

That means that the sill sits lower for easier access, a foldable front passenger seat to allow loading of long items (up to 2,920mm in length), an underfloor boot compartment and a one-touch seat-fold lever in the boot that eliminates the need for clambering over the seats to fold them down.

Talking of seats, there's plenty of space in the back for two fully grown adults and getting in and out of the car is easy thanks to big doors and the car sitting lower to the ground than before. There are plenty of thoughtful ‘Simply Clever’ touches throughout the Octavia too, like a built in ice-scraper, reversible rubber boot carpet and door-pocket waste bin add to the appeal and make it stand apart from rivals.

Inside, the car's dash is identical to the Octavia hatchback, which is very good news. It's stylish with an upmarket look and feel and represents a real step-change to the cabin of the old car. Of particular note are the materials that have been used.

Whereas in the old car it felt very workmanlike, there's more of a flair to the new Octavia, with a more interesting mix of colours and textures and a new steering wheel. There's better refinement on the move, too, thanks to better insulation from wind, road and engine noise.

It features a familiar range of engines, with 1.2 and 1.4-litre TSI petrols and 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels.

The 2.0-litre TDI with 150PS is perceptibly more quiet and refined and at 1,600kg offers the best towing weight of any Octavia Estate. Both the 1.6-litre diesel and 2.0-litre can be specified with four-wheel drive, which combined with winter tyres make them a good choice if you live in a more remote area.

When it comes to suspension set-ups, petrol-engined cars with more than 140PS and TDI models with more than 150PS get a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension rather than the torsion beam on lower powered cars. This means better handling in corners and a firmer ride but it's still supple.

Standard on all cars are alloy wheels, Bluetooth, DAB radio, a leather steering wheel, daytime running lights, hill hold, a touchscreen stereo system plus a USB port for connecting iPods. On the safety side there's ESC on all models and seven airbags.

The Octavia Estate is one of the most sensible cars you can buy - and that’s meant as a complement, not an insult - because it does everything you could reasonable ask of it with ease, and without breaking the bank either.

Ask Honest John

What car should I replace my old 2008 Mazda 3 with?

"Our old car is now starting to age and want to replace it. It is used for commuting approximately. 25 miles a day and for family journeys with my partner, dog and occasional grown-up son to transport. We holiday in South West France twice a year The budget to replace it is £10,000. Can you advise me on the best options? "
A Skoda Octavia would be a very practical replacement for your Mazda 3 - especially if you buy an estate version. A Honda Civic would be a reliable and spacious alternative. Or maybe an SUV like the Toyota RAV4.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Best car to replace a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Estate with?

"I want to replace my 2011 Mercedes-Benz Estate and I am wondering about buying another Mercedes or perhaps an Audi A4 or Volvo V60 as perhaps my final ICE car. What would you suggest? And would a much cheaper Skoda Octavia Estate provide as much refinement and comfort as any of those? "
If refinement and comfort is a priority we'd err towards either the Volvo V60 or a newer Mercedes E or C-Class estate. It's not that the A4 is uncomfortable, it's that it has a slightly firmer ride than the others (particularly in S-Line trim). The Skoda Octavia is a very good car but no, it won't quite match your E-Class for refinement and comfort because it has firmer suspension and less sound insulation. It's worth giving one a test drive to see if that's a big issue.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Best spacious used car?

"I'm looking for spacious, reliable used car with either fold down seats or a large boot. I do a lot of town driving with occasional long runs. I am looking for fuel economy but I am worried about the diesel particulate filter sooting up problem. If it is to be petrol, please suggest an economical, roomy, cheap but comfortable used car."
Without knowing your budget it's difficult to give you a clear answer. We'd gravitate towards a Skoda Octavia estate as an all-rounder, but the Fabia Estate might work for you depending on if it's big enough - it'll certainly be economical. Other recommendations include the Honda Accord Tourer, the Mazda 6 Tourer and the Toyota Avensis estate.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Best estate car to fit fishing gear in?

"I need a small van or estate car to put my fishing gear in. It will not do more than 1,000 miles a year. I do not want to spend more £2,500 on it but need to fit rods, an items up to seven feet long. What would you suggest?"
Skoda Octavia Estate or Ford Mondeo Estate. Avoid diesel engines and automatic gearboxes at this price point, as the maintenance and repair costs will be huge for a car that's 10 or 12 years old.
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Skoda Octavia Estate (2013 – 2020) cost?