Skoda Octavia (new)
Overall Average Rating - 90.37%
Position in the Top 100 cars - 1st
Repeating its victory in last year’s survey, Skoda’s Octavia is once again crowned the UK’s most satisfying car to own. No model in the Top 100 offers greater strength in depth, and the Mondeo rival is the consummate all-rounder, bagging five top 10 positions and not dropping out of the top 25 in any category.
So what makes the Octavia so good? Well, from the smallest turbodiesel to the range-topping vRS hot hatch, you love the performance of the VW-sourced engines. And crucially, the pace doesn’t come at too high a price. The Octavia scores the lowest running costs for any family car in the Top 100.
With a spacious hatchback model and enormous load-lugging estate, practicality gets the thumbs-up, too. When you consider that the Octavia finishes 15 positions ahead of the Golf and 41 places ahead of the Passat, it’s clear that parent company VW has much to learn from Skoda. Drivers, though, have known this all
WINNER OF CLASS - Family Car
No prizes for guessing the winner in the family car class – the Octavia reigns supreme in the Top 100 and in its sector. No rivals could get close to its strong ratings in every category, resulting in a 90.37 per cent total. A highly respectable second goes to Mazda’s 6. The practical Japanese car finishes just ahead of Honda’s Accord, but the real surprise comes in fourth. The Rover 75 is an ageing design from a defunct firm, but you tell us living with it is more rewarding than ever. Seeing off competition from Ford and Vauxhall, it finishes well ahead of its nearest rival. Fifth goes to Toyota’s Avensis, but at 28th overall it can’t get close to the top four in the family car premier league.
Ratings
Position in the Top 100 cars
Reliability: 20th
Build Quality: 11th
Running Costs: 7th
Performance: 5th
Braking: 9th
Ride Quality: 15th
Handling: 22nd
Practicality: 3rd
Comfort: 22nd
Ease of Driving: 9th
Your Quotes
“Excellent package, great to drive, economical, comfortable, well equipped and superbly finished. The new model met all my expectations and more. ”
David Hill, Edlesborough, Bucks
“A great performer that can be used every day. It turns heads, too, and is the best car I’ve ever owned. A brand that sells not by its badge, but by its sheer quality.”
Spencer Maidment, Paignton, Devon
Manufacturer Verdict (Position - 2nd)
Well done, Skoda. New cars such as the Fabia and the success of the Octavia have helped it hold on to second. Owners love the low running costs, practicality and driving experience.
