2015 Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.6 TDi

Summary:

Nice

Faults:

Nothing much while I have had it the past year and nine thousand miles.

General Comments:

Economical and boring. That is the 1.6 diesel Octavia in a nutshell.

Not fast at all, but does 55 - 65 mpg. Forget claims of 70 mpg - realistically most people will never get near that in real world driving conditions.

Elegance model is very comfortable with lots of equipment. Nice inside, very modern feeling.

Quite smart exterior appearance also. Silver, nice but common color.

In short I like it, not got much to say otherwise, no complaints.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th March, 2024

2015 Skoda Octavia SE 1.6 TDi

Summary:

Brilliant so far

Faults:

Nothing beyond services and wear and tear parts replaced. But I have only had the car one year and not done much mileage.

General Comments:

Boring but practical car, this Octavia is a much more reliable and economical car than my previous diesel Mondeo.

SE model is mid range, plenty of equipment. Interior comfortable if a bit unrefined.

1.6 TDi is not fast, but you will get 60 mpg + on a regular basis no matter how you drive.

Hope to have it a long time, seems to be popular with taxi drivers so that is a good sign.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th December, 2023

2015 Skoda Octavia VRS 2.0 TDi

Summary:

Wow!

Faults:

Nothing other than wear and tear expected of age and mileage (brake pads, suspension, servicing, etc). Electric mirror switch feels a little flimsy.

General Comments:

I could say that this car does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds and can do over 140 MPH whilst daily driving will average over 60 miles per gallon... and leave it at that. What a car. Skoda have come a long, long way.

The VRS Octavia is the one to have. The smaller 1.6 diesels can manage over 70 miles per gallon and are decent cars to drive, but too boring. But get the VRS and you have insane performance with almost as good running costs.

The car was initially expensive to buy compared to the less fast models of Octavia. Insurance is also higher as expected, but as an older man now I can manage it. Compared to my previous Audi A3 I was expecting short falls in interior quality, but the Skoda impresses in most areas. There are definitely some cheaper plastics used here and there, plus the refinement leaves a lot to be desired, but it is still a typical VW/Audi group affair. The car has a lot of electrical equipment as standard, which is expected nowadays. Mine is bright blue, love the red painted calipers and the interior seats' design as well. My first 6 speed manual, takes a bit of getting used to if you have been using 5 speed for years and years. Heard the auto boxes are good as well.

Overall if you are looking for some budget performance, the Octavia VRS is worth a look. I am aware if there are any problems it will likely be as expensive to fix as any car, but always buy a looked after one with good history.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2021

3rd Aug 2021, 13:37

I agree, they are probably one of the best all round cars on the road. My 2003 Octavia is still going, but will likely replace it with a more modern one when it is time to move on, will definitely be looking at the VRS, lesser models are way too boring (but reliable).

26th Jul 2022, 16:25

They are great cars, don't expect 60 mpg though as the reviewer states, 50 mpg is more likely in reality. Still good considering the performance.

2015 Skoda Octavia S 1.6 TDi

Summary:

Most economical way to drive

Faults:

Nothing serious. According to history it has only had servicing and essential wear and tear taken care of, such as brake pads and so on.

General Comments:

2015 Octavia for less than 7 grand cash purchase. No better way to buy a car for private use. Most of these cars are cheap to tax or tax exempt. Insurance is cheap also, and with 70 MPG possible on these newer 1.6 diesel models, you cannot get a better used buy. As everyone always says about these cars, no wonder they are popular as taxis.

On the downside they are a bit expensive to repair when they do go wrong (DPF, injectors, EGR valve, etc) all the typical diesel faults; most of my previous Octavia's had one or more of those faults at some point. But always buy a looked after one with history and take care of it and you should be OK. Being the basic S model you still get air con and electric windows in the front, good enough for me. Interior is plastic with grey everywhere, pretty dull. Seats are only OK, and climate controls are a fiddle as per modern car, but you get used to it. Get the SE or Elegance model if you want more. To drive all models are much the same, a bit dull and nothing too exciting, unless you go for the VRS.

Outside looks good, S models now come with nice alloy wheels as standard. Again, looks great for what it is. Shame mine is grey/silver and most are, which aren't bad colours, but the colour of every car on the road it seems! I saw a dark blue, and a red one as well, much better looking.

Overall if you are looking at getting a hassle free modern car for as little as possible, there isn't much to beat the Octavia. Not had mine long, but hope to keep it for a long time; older Octavia's ran to very high mileages no problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th November, 2020

2015 Skoda Octavia vRS 4x4 DSG Hatchback 2.0L turbo diesel

Summary:

Great car

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Does like the coolant.

Engine fan comes on a lot.

DSG can be hesitant.

The big wheels do tend to make ride comfort rather annoying; dodging manholes covers on the road is a hobby now.

In Sport mode with paddle shift you will get 38 MPG.

In Eco mode with paddle shift you will get 49 MPG.

Comfortable seats.

VW Golf GTI drivers envy you because it's diesel 4 wheel drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2016

8th Jul 2016, 08:42

Get that coolant appetite checked out, while it's under warranty. Could be a minor leak, but in a very labour-intensive place like the heater core behind the dashboard, or despite being a reasonably new car, a dodgy head gasket.