Skoda Octavia vRS (05 on) - Review

Review by Ben Wall on
Last Updated: 18 May 2012
Skoda may be better known for practical family cars rather than performance, but its vRS models have carved out quite a niche for themselves. The Octavia vRS is just as versatile and spacious as the standard Octavia, but thanks to lowered sports suspension and a 2.0 TFSI engine - the same one used in the 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI - it has genuine hot hatch credentials. When launched, it was Skoda's most powerful ever car, while later a 2.0 TDI engine with 170bhp was introduced. Available as a hatchback or an estate, the Octavia vRS proves that you can combine an enjoyable hot hatch with a sensible family car - and it needn't break the bank either. It was facelifted in mid-2009 with a sharper front end and a more upmarket interior.
4.5 out of 5

Other Skoda reviews

4.5 out of 5

Running costs

As well as being good value for money, residual values have remained pretty strong, helped by Skoda's ever growing reputation. Insurance costs are very reasonable given the performance at group 14 for the TDI model and group 15 for the petrol version. The diesel model is more expensive to buy, but will retain a premium at resale time and is also very economical. Skoda servicing and parts are good value and its dealers have an excellent reputation for looking after their customers. Skoda regularly tops customer satisfaction surveys.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,659 - £1,753 *

Diesel

£1,308 - £1,364 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

Either variable up to 18,000 miles or fixed at 10,000 miles.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£135.00 - £250.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

3.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
    149
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
    188
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

Considering it's a hot hatch, the Octavia vRS is pretty green. Even the petrol model manages 36mpg while emitting 190g/km of CO2. Obviously it's the diesel which is cleaner thanks to CO2 emissions of 157g/km and economy of 49mpg. The newer common rail version is even better with 150g/km of CO2 and economy of 50mpg.

Find the exact engine and CO2