Car Statistics: Skoda - Octavia Series 04 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

Slightly Vectra-ish from some angles, but the distinctive Skoda front end looks good.

Handling (3 stars)

The chassis can't deliver much in the way of excitement, but the Octavia remains safe and predictable as its limits approach

Comfort (4 stars)

The smooth ride and excellent seats make the Octavia a good long-distance companion.

Quality (4 stars)

Skoda moves quality up a notch. Very well assembled and with an impressively expensive looking cabin compared to the company's previous offerings.

Performance (3 stars)

Basic 1.4 litre petrol engine is a cynical marketing ploy - too slow for all but the least demanding. 1.6 litre FSI petrol and 2.0 litre TDI diesel are the pick of the range.

Roominess (4 stars)

Well proportioned when compared to family hatchback rivals like the Ford Mondeo. Plenty of room for both passengers and luggage - and the estate is massive.

Costs (4 stars)

Residual values are reasonable compared to the very low standard of the rest of the segment, although it's still worth haggling hard for a generous discount to offset depreciation. Servicing and insurance are good value too - and the diesels are very economical.

Value (4 stars)

Value isn't as compelling as it first appears once you factor in the gutless performance of the base engine. At least aircon is standard across the range.

Stereo (3 stars)

Audio system in basic versions struggles to make itself heard at cruising speeds. Satnav works well but suffers from garish display fonts.