We tested the Skoda Octavia Combi iV, a really efficient family PHEV for everything and everyone
Published by The team in News the 16/05/2022 at 16:11
Skoda has established itself over the past two decades as the quintessential generalist brand of the Volkswagen Group, much to the chagrin of SEAT. The days of cheap cars in the late 1980s are long gone.
The Czech firm now has the enviable reputation of offering rational cars, at a good price and generally much more spacious than their direct competitors.
And there is nothing that exemplifies this spirit better than the Skoda Octavia Combi iV , a 204 hp plug-in hybrid with a ZERO label that we tested on this occasion.
The Octavia is a key pillar of the brand and a model that has helped to improve the manufacturer's image over the past decades. In fact, the Octavia became Skoda's best-selling model.
The Skoda Octavia iV might not be a very exciting car, but it has certain aspects that make it very interesting for anyone looking for a roomy plug-in hybrid that isn't an SUV.
This latest incarnation of the Octavia Combi stays true to the well-known formula of taking the base of the Volkswagen Golf (in this case, the Volkswagen Group's MQB Evo platform), lengthening the wheelbase to increase the space for passengers and to play with the rear design. for more luggage space.
At 4.69m long , the Octavia is 5cm larger than the SEAT León Sportstourer , despite having a wheelbase of just 4mm. Compared to a Volkswagen Golf Variant, the differences are more notable: the family Golf measures 4.63 m and has a wheelbase of 2,669 mm. Although in this specific case it does not matter, because the Golf eHybrid is not available with a Variant family body.
The mechanics and the hybrid system are identical to what we find in the rest of the generalist plug-in hybrids of the Volkswagen Group, from the SEAT León e-Hybrid to the Audi A3 40 TFSie passing through the Volkswagen Passat GTE . Namely, a 150 hp 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo and an 85 kW (115 hp) electric motor for a total power of 204 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm.
The system is paired exclusively with a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission and a lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 13 kWh (10.4 useful kWh) . The battery can be charged to a power of 2.3 kW in 5 hours and in 3.5 hours to a power of 3.7 kW.
On board
One of Skoda's strengths are the cabins , which are generally larger than those of its rivals. This is also the case in this Octavia Combi iV. The space in the rear seats, both for the legs and in height under the roof. A 1.80 meter tall person will have more than enough space even when the front seats move back.
The rear seats are larger than what the Leon Sportstourer offers and blatantly larger than what the Ford Focus Estate offers. In the end, the Octavia is far from equaling the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports (or its clone the Suzuki Swace ).
The dashboard of the new Octavia benefits from a fluid design and an attractive presentation. The mix of well-integrated chrome elements and the same upholstery on the dashboard as on the seats is an original touch. The new dashboard is an example of simplicity and elegance, which is favored by the virtual absence of physical buttons.
Admittedly, there are a series of essential, though not always in common use, buttons on the dashboard, and only the physical climate controls are missing. These are found exclusively on the touch screen.
Skoda has placed the infotainment touchscreen high on the dash, forcing you to stretch your arm and look away from the road to increase or decrease the power of the air conditioning, for example.
The standard touchscreen is 8.3-inches with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto , plus DAB radio. As an option, it becomes 10 inches with integrated 3D navigation (920 euros). Its interface is fast and relatively intuitive.
Depending on the finish and the optional packs, the Octavia Combi has up to five USB-C sockets distributed throughout the cabin; there are two in front, two behind and one near the rear-view mirror to be able to install a camera, it was perhaps something in great demand in the Russian market (one of its biggest markets until there is some months).
In terms of perceived quality, the cabin conveys a mixture of sensations. Some plastics, in the upper part of the dashboard and the door armrests, give the Octavia a positive feeling.
However, the chrome plastics, such as the automatic gear lever or the door handle, raise some doubts about their longevity over time. In fact, the metal-effect wheels on the spokes of the steering wheel look a little flimsy, as do some of the other buttons (including the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel).
The Skoda Octavia is also known for its large trunk , but this time the volume loses 150 liters compared to the rest of the range due to the battery which forced the fuel tank to be moved under the trunk. Despite everything, the trunk offers 490 liters of capacity and, following the motto of the brand's ingenious solutions - the 'Simply Clever' - it offers a small double bottom next to the loading sill to store the loader and other objects. .
Driving
In the Skoda Octavia Combi iV, comfort comes first . At the wheel, it's a noticeably smoother car than many of its rivals, ideal for long, leisurely journeys on the motorways and country roads. In town, it also knows how to be comfortable. It filters quite well the various potholes and reflections that can be found.
Sometimes the suspension "floats" a little and you have to deal with the additional weight of the electrical part (the battery weighs 135 kg). For this reason, this Octavia is best appreciated at normal speeds, where smoothness, comfort and quietness reign.
Still, it's a very capable car in the corners. Its steering is precise and has just the right amount of harshness, although very filtered. In addition, the car has a multi- link rear axle that contributes to stability and precise steering.
That said, it is not a model with sporting pretensions. Those looking for a model more willing to enjoy driving a little should look to the Ford Focus Estate or the SEAT Leon e-Hybrid, which are more agile than the Skoda.
The presence of the electric motor allows a generous torque at each acceleration. It allows rapid overtaking thanks to its good times ( 80 to 120 km/h in 4.7 seconds ). The six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
As for the operation of the hybrid system, it is also very fluid in its performance. Switching between electric and thermal modes is barely noticeable. With the Hybrid Auto driving mode, which allows the car to automatically manage the flow of energy, the Octavia gives priority to electric mode at low speeds and wakes up its combustion engine from 45-50 km/h during the gas phase and rotates it as soon as your foot is lifted.
As usual in these cases, it turns out to be the best driving mode to optimize the use of the battery compared to the gasoline engine, being able to reach an average of 5 l/100 km in these cases.
On the other hand, if one opts for 100% electric use, the autonomy of the battery is reduced to 46 km (on a route composed of 90% city driving). We are far from the 66 km announced by Skoda. Once the battery is discharged, the average fuel consumption will rise to 7 l/100 km (a little more if the car is heavily loaded on a long journey, for example).
Skoda Octavia Combi iV: our review
The Octavia iV, like the SEAT León eHybrid, helps popularize PHEV plug-in hybrid technology , which until recently was too expensive and unconvincing in large SUVs. On this occasion, the price difference between a 200 hp 2.0 TDI and a DSG6 transmission (with RS finish, it's true) is only 1,300 euros in favor of the plug-in hybrid model.
Economical effort is still important, sure, but for those who don't do a lot of long road trips, the iV version is much smoother and more refined than the diesel and provides noticeable fuel savings (if plugged in often, of course ). .
Of course, if our journeys often involve a lot of road, diesel or petrol (everything will depend on the annual mileage), they will continue to be more attractive options. However, the Octavia Combi iV, as a familiar PHEV for everyone, has an enviable price-habitability-consumption ratio.
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