The Octavia hatchback scored a respectable four stars (out of five) for adult safety in Euro NCAP crash tests and the Skoda Octavia estate’s safety rating is just as good. Driver, passenger and side airbags are standard, while curtain bags are optional (standard on L&K models) as are active headrests. All models get central locking and an immobiliser while an alarm is standard on Ambiente or Elegance trim levels.

The load area is huge and should be up to even the biggest weekly shops – there’s also a cover to stop prying eyes and lashing hooks for items that need to strapped down. Fold down the seats and the Octavia can easily cope with large boxes of flat-pack furniture, bikes and pretty much anything else you can throw at it. However, the load area is quite high off the ground and most models have a recessed floor.

There are plenty of storage areas (including a large oddment box for the driver and a dash-top compartment for sunglasses), obligatory cup holders and a large glovebox.