2004 Skoda Octavia Elegance Auto from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

This car is a cruiser, and makes no pretense otherwise. More 'sporting' drivers will prefer the vRS. It does however handle quite well and have plenty of power.

The 1.8T engine is the same unit that powers the Audi A3/A4 and VW Bora/Passat - 20-valves, variable valve timing and the K03S turbo. It has a smooth delivery with very little lag and provides ample power. Quiet when cruising, it also sounds good when worked hard.

The 4-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and changes quickly, never leaving you stuck in the wrong gear. Gearing is quite long and as a result initial pull-away is quite leisurely, but quickly picks up. This is where the extra 1.5s to 60 is compared to the manuals. 75mph in 2nd gear however means overtaking is effortless and the car feels quick.

The interior is smart and well made - no squeaks or rattles and everything works properly. Road and wind noise are well controlled, and the seats are comfortable.

The Climatronic air-conditioning works extremely well and is a "set and forget" system. It can take a while to cool the car if it has been standing in the sun though.

Other features such as cruise control and parking sensors work very well.

It is hard for me to fault this car, especially at the price.

Be careful. You may cook the turbo and will dissapoint you if you try to race the car with 75 mph in the second gear.

On some Passat models this engine is derated because of that.

The auto box won't let you take the engine past the red line.

I get high 60s in 2nd before it changes up at the redline after kickdown from 3rd when overtaking. Must have different gearing or redline to get to 75? Or does selecting '2' allow it to rev (needlessly IMHO) beyond the redline?

Problems to date from new and 3,000 miles on the clock.

No 4x4 traction - lethal in the snow and ice - lost all brakes and steering, yes I do know about driving in these conditions, have had large mechanical sound of clunk when tried to reverse – had to get out and look for missing bits – none found as yet!

No really we stayed over in York this Christmas and the following morning a light covering of snow greeted us as we left, however as soon as I tried the brakes we skidded completely out of control over a road that my brother in law in his C5 had just driven over with no problems, crunching sound from the brakes as they seem to have frozen on I thought, but as soon as I was on clear tarmac no problems at all, but as soon as I was on fresh laid snow albeit one or two cars before me, all hell broke loose, no traction, no brakes, no steering, just slid all over the place – OK some of you are saying, he does not know how to drive in the snow – well I have driven since the age of 13 (farm lad) and have actually tried rallying so I do know about road conditions and have driven in many countries, especially in Northern Europe in snow – this was just not right NO TRACTION at all, nothing.

Rattles inside from trim that will not stay in place, wind noise from badly sealed drivers door, engine hesitation and a dealer who does not give a damn. Oh yes this 4x4 must be one of the first has no sump guard fitted and has been recalled, but the dealer is arguing with Skoda about who pays for fitting this 6 months this has been going on.