MOTORS REVIEW: Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 TDI

SLIPPING from the Honda Accord Tourer featured last week into the Skoda Octavia Estate was a bit like ditching Kate Moss in favour of Kate Humble.
Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 TDISkoda Octavia Estate 4x4 TDI
Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 TDI

Engine: 2-litre, turbocharged, diesel

Power: 140bhp and 236lb.ft. (total)

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 9.9 seconds and 123mph

Fuel economy: 44.8mpg (combined)

CO2 emissions: 165g/km

Price: from £19,450

For: Huge load space, all-wheel-drive security, value.

Against: Lacking style. Do we really need 4x4?

Rating: ****

NEW E-STATE OF PLAY

Octavia Estate mixes load lugging potential with all-wheel-drive security

Not that the Honda was all style and no substance, far from it, but stepping out with the Octavia I realised how much easier those slightly more practical, "willing to get your hands dirty," charms are to get along with.

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There might be a little less glamour but when you feel the need to take your mountainbike into the peaks for the day clear ten years of rubbish from the garage, you know who's going to be more willing and able to get involved and who's going to be left whining about their unsuitable attire or scuffing their manicured nails.

In some ways the Octavia Estate is a vehicle from another time, a time before the giant 4x4 SUV swept in and took the mantle of the ultimate vehicle for all tasks and long-booted cars were king.

Offering the straightforward practicality of a huge boot, spacious passenger accommodation, a frugal range of engines and aggressive pricing, it should fit the bill of family car, load carrier and—in the form tested here—rugged tow car, in a package that isn't as big and antisocial as a Challenger tank.

Priced from £13,595 the Octavia Estate is almost £3,000 less than Ford's Focus estate and more than £2,000 less than Vauxhall's Astra Estate, beating them in terms of size and space.

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Tested here is the 2009 incarnation of the Octavia Estate 4x4 (£17,650) and although its niche appeal sees it account for just four per cent of Octavia sales it is a cost-effective alternative to the modern SUV.

Available with a choice of two diesel (105bhp 1.9-litre and 140bhp two-litre) and one petrol engine (160bhp 1.8-litre) it comes with a haldex differential—similar to that found on various Audis—capable of shifting power fore and aft to optimise grip.

With the 140bhp TDI engine tested here (taking the price to 19,450) Skoda claim 44.8mpg and impressive CO2 emissions of 165g/km are possible, meaning annual road tax of just £150...in a 4x4.

Not only is the Octavia 4x4 up for some soft-roading, but it should reach 62mph in 9.9 seconds and a 123mph top speed.

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For most of its potential owners, however, the security of four-wheel-drive day-to-day will be of more significance.

The 4x4 sits marginally higher than its front-wheel-drive siblings and there are roof rails and a plastic sump guard but it drives like your average estate car.

A car-like drive has become high praise in SUV road tests but, a) the Octavia is a car and, b) while the suspension isn't sporty or dynamic pitch and roll are negligible. That 140bhp diesel engine, though slightly peaky as the turbo spools up at around 2,200rpm, also offers reasonable urge, especially at motorway speeds.

Ride height aside, the look of the 4x4 is identical to the rest of the 2009 Octavia range.

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A more overtly rugged look and taller suspension appears on the £1,125 more expensive Octavia Scout.

Skoda's 2009 facelift brings: larger headlights with an 'OCTAVIA' inscription on each flank; a three-dimensional front grille; new front and rear bumpers and fog lights; and new rear light clusters.

Overall, the changes are subtle.

Inside, the changes bring the Octavia in-line with its impressive big brother, the Superb.

A multi-function steering wheel—with paddle gear shifters on DSG-equipped variants—and a touch-screen stereo system are among the highlights.

The general feel is functional and accommodating.

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For the price, the Octavia estate's interior quality is impressive, if lacking a little design flair, but the stand-out highlight is its sheer usability.

Last week the Honda Accord Tourer's surprised with its lack of boot space but if sheer stowage is a priority, the Octavia is just the ticket.

Leg and headroom are ample for four large adults and behind the rear seats resides a whopping 580 litre boot. That's 38 litres more than a Mondeo estate.

Combined with its 4x4 system and fuel efficiency the Octavia Estate 4x4 really is a car for all occasions and goes without the stigma, or the potential cost, of a giant SUV.

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A little utilitarian for the chic exec it may be but as family transport, a go (almost) anywhere keen outdoors type or, dare I say it, caravanner, the Octavia Estate 4x4 is a practical alternative to a fashion conscious crop of pseudo off-roaders.

Not for Miss Moss then...

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