Skoda Octavia Ambition 1.4 DSG review: A vaulting ambition

Skoda straddles segments but punches above its weight on price and gear.

2016 Skoda Octavia wagon.

SKODA is pushing hard to capture a larger share of the small car market with its stylish small-to-medium Octavia sedan and wagon.

The new generation Octavia that arrived last year stood out on several fronts, not the least being performance and equipment.

2016 Skoda Octavia sedan.

But in the pursuit of more than 5000 annual sales in Australia, VW’s junior brand from the Czech Republic went to the parts bin, grabbed a selection of desirable features normally seen on more expensive models and bolted them into the base Octavia Ambition.

The starting price is an attention grabbing $22,990 drive-away for the Ambition manual and the seven-speed DSG auto adds $2300.

What you get is autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, reverse camera, front and rear park sensors, a new Smartlink infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (and all that brings), 17-inch alloys, eight speaker audio and a 6.5-inch touchscreen.

Skoda couldn’t add further advanced driver assistance at the price but this is a pretty good start, especially when you factor in what would be a recommended retail price just under $20,000. Other Octavia variants get small price rises with equipment upgrades valued at up to $5000.

2016 Skoda Octavia.

To sweeten the deal Skoda also offers a “financial product’’ that combines low interest rates and guaranteed future value and can also include prepaid service costs.

It is also extending warranty coverage on all Octavias sold until the end of the year to five years/unlimited kilometres.

Skoda Australia boss Michael Irmer says: “The renewed Octavia now offers more car for your money and carefree ownership. Ideally, we would like our customers to be able to make one payment to cover most of the cost of ownership for Octavia, one figure, one payment.’’

A $3400 Sport Pack for the range includes black design elements such as 18-inch wheels, rear spoiler and other body hardware. It adds driver assistance items (rain-sensing wipers and auto headlights) and lowers the ride height.

Built on a shared platform from the Audi/VW/Skoda family, the Octavia sedan is a liftback with a large boot and seats for five.

It should theoretically compete against the likes of Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 but is slightly larger than those models, falling between the small and medium categories.

Power for the Ambition model tested comes from a new generation 1.4-litre four cylinder turbo (110kW/250Nm) with direct fuel injection and variable cam timing to enhance efficiency. These outputs are more than enough to propel the 1200kg Octavia in a sporty fashion, especially when matched to the seven-speed twin-clutch automatic.

ON THE ROAD

2016 Skoda Octavia wagon.

Get behind the wheel for even a short drive of the Octavia Ambition and it’s obvious what a well rounded car it is.

The drive feel is certainly better than the price may suggest — it’s up there with cars that are $10,000 dearer.

It replicates the previous model’s comfortable and controlled ride with sporty dynamics and a quiet powertrain.

Apply the throttle vigorously and its responds with little hesitation. The car accelerates strongly off the mark and when merging and overtaking.

It drinks premium fuel but has a modest thirst of about 5.3L/100km.

In much the same way as the quality of the drive, the interior looks about $10,000 better than the price suggests.

It’s stylish, functional and easy to use.

The boot is large and, critically in a car this size, the rear space is generous.

Skoda styling has evolved over the past few years to the current position marked by handsome if conservative looking vehicles.

There’s an RS230 version due before the end of the year that takes Octavia to another level in terms of looks and performance. Meanwhile, you can tick the Sports Pack option box for the cool black garnishes.

2016 Skoda Octavia.

VERDICT ★★★½

This is an impressive car even in base model form. The value equation can’t be ignored as no competitor is within a bull’s roar on price for the hi-tech driver assistance kit.

It’s good to drive, good-looking with plenty of features and it’s cheap to buy and run.

AT A GLANCE

PRICE

From $22,990 drive-away, a rise of $500 for the base Ambition manual. But additional equipment is valued at $4270. Other models have gone up in price but also gain more kit.

TECHNOLOGY

Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera, front and rear park assist, new infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

PERFORMANCE

Sporty response from base model 1.4 litre 4-cyl turbo. New-generation turbo diesel 2.0-litre.

DRIVING

Dynamically, the Octavia remains controlled and quiet.

DESIGN

17-inch alloy wheels replace the previous steel wheels.

VITALS

SKODA OCTAVIA AMBITION 1.4 DSG

PRICE From $22,990 drive-away (DSG adds $2300)

WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km

CAPPED SERVICING $1040 over 3 years (man)

SERVICE INTERVAL 12 months/15,000km

SAFETY  ★★★★★, 7 airbags

ENGINE 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo, 110kW/250Nm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed man, 7-speed DSG; FWD

THIRST 5.3L/100km

DIMENSIONS 4689mm (L), 1814mm (W), 1461mm (H), 2686mm (WB)

WEIGHT From 1219kg

SPARE Temporary

0-100KM/H 8.1 secs

TOWING 1500kg