Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020) Review

Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020) At A Glance

Practical and refined performance version of latest Octavia. Available with excellent TSI engine or more economical TDI unit. Handling much improved over the standard car.

Top vRS 230 gets more equipment but a considerable firmer ride.

Real MPG average for a Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

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Ask Honest John

Is there a good sporty estate or SUV I should consider?

"I'm a new dad and now want to move from an Audi S3 to a more suitable estate or SUV that I will use as a daily drive but would like something sporty. I have a budget of £15000, what would you recommend?"

If you're looking for something sporty, you'd be better looking for an estate. We'd recommend a Skoda Octavia vRS. It's a very practical estate car that's fun to drive. Although rarer, seek out a petrol unless you cover high miles. Also, consider a BMW 3 Series Touring. Even the 318i is good to drive.

Answered by Andrew Brady

What DSG is used in the Skoda Octavia vRS?

"I am thinking about buying a 2019 Skoda Octavia vRS Challenge 2.0 TSI 245 DSG. Is this a seven-speed wet box or some other type of automatic gearbox? "

It will be a DQ500 seven-speed dual wet clutch DSG. Better than the old DQ250 six-speed dual wet clutch DSG, but can still be sluggish and frustrating to drive. It needs fresh oil and a filter every three years or 38k miles but is nothing like as problem prone as dry clutch DQ200.

Answered by Honest John

I keep having to replace tyres due to pothole damage - what wheels should I swap to?

"I have 225/35 R19 wheels on my Skoda Octavia vRS. I've replaced four tyres since January at £150 each due to potholes. I’ve now been offered a swap to 225/40 R18 wheels. Would this help?"

Would help a little bit. What I'd do is find the smallest wheels that will fit around the front brakes and fit them with deeper profile tyres. I checked and these are 17-inch wheels with 205/50 R17 89V tyres.

Answered by Honest John

I do 13,000 miles per year - should I go for a petrol car or the cheaper diesel version?

"I do approximately 13,000 miles a year and quite a lot of motorway driving. I've seen a good deal for a 2016 Skoda Octravia vRS 2.0 TDI with only 2000 miles on the clock for £17,000 with a main dealer. I've also been given a reasonable part exchange value for my Skoda. I've had diesels for more than 20 years due to my mileage and type of driving. The VRS petrol I'm looking at is about £2000 more than a diesel. Would you go for a diesel or petrol? I intend to keep the car about three years or so. "

The petrol will use more fuel. Eventually the diesel will need a new DPF, but that should be a long way off. So on the economics it's swinging towards the diesel. The petrol is a better drive though.

Answered by Honest John

On the inside of an Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020)

• Boot space is 590–1740 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The interior of the Octavia vRS isn't the most exciting for what is a performance hatch, but there's no denying the build quality nor the fit and finish which are impeccable. It feels a very solid car and so while it may be a little dark that is Skoda's aim - it says black is beautiful which may explain the black finish across everything including the roof lining.

To lift the interior there is red or green stitching on the seats, which are another real strength of the vRS. They offer a superb combination of comfort and support, particularly at the sides, plus with plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column it's easy to find an ideal driving position. There are some other small vRS details like the badging on the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and on the instrument dials.

The layout of the cabin is easy to get on with all the controls and switches clearly labelled while there's impressive storage too. The door pockets are huge and there's a large central cubby that doubles as an armrest. There are two useful cupholders next to the handbrake.

What really makes the Octavia vRS such a good all rounder is its practicality. It goes like a GTI yet has plenty of rear passenger room - helped by a longer wheelbase than its predecessor - and a huge boot with 590 litres in the standard hatch and 610 litres if you go for the estate version. The backrests of the rear seats can be folded down via handles in the boot in a 60/40 split.

Other genuinely handy features include the optional double-sided floor mat which has carpet on one side and a dirt and water repellent surface on the other, ideal for transporting muddy wellies, plants or pets. As with the standard Octavia, the vRS also has the handy ice scraper built into the fuel filler flap.

Child seats that fit a Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020)

• Engines range from 2.0 TDI 184 4x4 DSG Estate to 2.0 TSI 245 DSG
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 26–60 mpg

While there was a positive response to the new Octavia when it was launched, the handling wasn't a particular highlight. However, for the vRS it's clear Skoda has worked to ensure its sportiest Octavia has the handling and steering to merit the vRS badge.

That's down to a number of changes such as a sport chassis and a 15mm lower ride height. There's also a new multi link suspension at the rear but the two big factors are the progressive steering and the XDS system. The progressive steering system means that you don't need as much steering input in corners as the steering ratio actually changes depending on how far the wheel is turned.

This is coupled with the impressive XDS system. It's a feature we've seen on the Fabia vRS and which is used across the Volkswagen Group. It uses the ESP to cleverly brake the inside wheels in corners, making the car feel more agile and meaning less steering lock is required. It makes the Octavia feel far keener in corners than the standard car.

All these things combine to make the vRS an impressive handling car. It's actually something of a revelation compared to the standard car with a solid and planted feel at speed yet an agile and composed nature through corners. The steering has a nice weight to it and a decent amount of feel too but it's perhaps how well the Octavia vRS responds to quick changes of direction that impresses. It's genuinely enjoyable to drive quickly.

It's a great all rounder too because while it's very composed when you throw it into a corner, with little in the way of body roll, it still rides well. So around town it's as easy to drive and as comfortable as a standard Octavia. All the main controls like the gear change and clutch are nicely weighted while it's still easy to manoeuvre despite its larger wheels,

We're big fans of the 2.0 TSI engine and think it suits the vRS perfectly. It's got a real zest about it with a free revving nature yet has great refinement. It's the same engine that's used in the latest Golf GTI so it's no surprise that it's so strong. On paper it will accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds while economy is reasonable with a claimed 45.6mpg.

Not so exciting but equally as good is the 2.0 TDI version. It makes sense if you want a blend of usable performance and economy. The figures say it can average 61.4mpg. It may not have as much power as the petrol with 184PS but it makes up for it with 350Nm of torque which means it will pull in sixth on the motorway with real strength. Emissions for the manual are just 119g/km too. It lacks the character of the TSI but it will make more sense for many buyers.

Long term test

Skoda Octavia vRS Estate

Skoda Octavia vRS (2013 – 2020) Models and Specs

Currently on sale

On sale until November 2018

On sale until September 2018

Good

What to watch out for

Recalls

Model History