A four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating looks ordinary when many alternatives to the standard Octavia score a maximum five. However, that is still a reasonable score and it gets driver, passenger and side airbags as standard while curtain airbags are optional. Every car has central locking and an alarm, remote central locking and an immobiliser.

Little has changed in this area over the standard estate – the boot is still huge and easy to load. Plus there are lashing points to strap down luggage. The rear seats split and fold and mean that the back can cope with flat pack furniture, bikes and pretty much anything else you can throw at it. If the load is too big for the boot, then it’s possible for it to go on the roof – every car has roof rails.

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