Skoda Kodiaq Review
The Skoda Kodiaq is Skoda’s first SUV and Skoda was building the hype for this new model for months before it finally arrived in Ireland earlier in 2017.
The Skoda PR machine was in overdrive but now that the Kodiaq is here and we’ve had a proper chance to experience it on Irish roads, the hype seems duly authorised.
The Skoda Kodiaq is aimed squarely at the family market and with five or seven seats depending on specification, and prices starting from a headline €28,795, the Kodiaq is certainly worth a closer look.
That headline figure is for an entry level, five seat, 1.4-litre TSI 125hp petrol model. Diesels starts from €35,495. To turn your Kodiaq into a seven seater, it’s an extra €1000 on the list price.
There is a lot on offer here. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform, the Skoda Kodiaq follows that great Skoda tradition of being enormous inside.
And while there are a lot of rival seven seat MPVs that offer similar space, the Kodiaq is wrapped in a far more desirable package with the kerb appeal of an SUV. The Kodiaq has the sort of attitude that implies that it would not look out of place in a field or forest, or pulling something like a caravan or horse box.
The interior of the Kodiaq is classic Skoda: well-made, functional and clearly laid out. The quality in my ‘Style’ test car was really excellent with nice seats and a good mix of dashboard materials.
In Ireland Kodiaq is offered with three trim levels: Active (from €28,795), Ambition (from €32,475) and Style (from €38,495). 17” alloys, cruise control and air con come as standard and all trims come with a touchscreen varying in size depending on specification with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. There is plenty of good storage too around the cabin, always necessary for a family on the move.
Step up to Ambition for 18” alloys, keyless engine start, silver roof rails, and front and rear parking sensors. Equipment on Style models includes 19” alloys, keyless entry, full LED headlights, Alcantara upholstery, interior ambient lighting and a rear view camera.
Regardless of whether you choose a five or seven seat model, the Kodiaq has large footwells in the back and boot space in excess of 650 litres. Seven seat models allow more flexibility for families as the two extra seats can be stowed snugly in the boot floor when not in use. The space in the third row is tight of course and more suited for children, but because you can slide the rear seats forwards, you can create more legroom. Even with the two extra seats in place, Skoda has managed to eke out 270 litres of boot space.
In terms of engines for new Kodiaq, the range kicks off with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit with 125bhp (manual) or 150bhp (DSG automatic). The 2.0-litre diesel comes with 150 or 190bhp, with the higher powered version reserved for DSG 4×4 models. The best for economy is the 2.0-litre TDI 150hp DSG returning up to 58mpg with motor tax of €280 per year.
My test car was powered by the 2.0-litre 150hp diesel with a manual gearbox. It feels powerful enough in the Kodiaq and it’s not too noisy. On the road, the Kodiaq may be large but it doesn’t feel too unwieldy and there is a pleasant light feel to all the controls. There is body roll in corners but the car grips so well that it is all really well contained. The steering weights up well on the open road, and while the Kodiaq is by no means a sporty drive the steering offers enough resistance for the Kodiaq to be a safe and predictable drive. You will feel a little bit of the bumps and ruts that you will find around town at low speeds, but generally the Kodiaq rides comfortably and smoothly.
With demand rising for seven seat SUVs, the Skoda Kodiaq will easily find its market. The Kodiaq is easy to recommend and makes a fantastic value proposition for buyers looking for a large family car that’s practical but stylish.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Skoda Kodiaq Style 2.0TDI 150hp 4X4 (7 seat)
Price: €41,395 (Range starts at €28,795)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel
Power: 150hp
Torque: 340Nm
0-100km/h: 9.8 seconds
Top speed: 194km/h
Economy: 51mpg
CO2 emissions: 141g/km
Motor tax: €390 per year
If you are looking for a seven seater you might also like this review of the Renault Grand Scenic.
Skoda Octavia Review
Caroline reviews the 2017 Skoda Octavia.
The Skoda Octavia is one of Ireland’s favourite cars and does well with buyers seeking a spacious family car without the high price tag.
But even heroes like the Octavia need a refresh every now and then. So for 2017, Skoda has treated the current generation of the Octavia to a facelift with tweaked styling and some other updates to the range.
There’s a new radiator grille at the front and controversially, they’ve split the Octavia’s familiar block headlights. But I get the feeling that Octavia buyers really won’t let the small matter of some split headlights come between them and their next car. Elsewhere the Octavia holds a familiar presence on the road.
It's easy to feel at home in the cabin of the 2017 Skoda Octavia with its straightforward layout and reassuringly good build quality. The only major changes inside are new infotainment systems in the centre of the dash. It looks a bit glossier and more up to date. Smartlink+ with Apple Car Play and Android Auto is now standard across the range.
What are my options?
In Ireland the Skoda Octavia comes in three familiar trims - Active, Ambition and Style - and the more salubrious Laurin & Klement. The Ambition model is the sweet spot priced from €22,250,. Equipment includes air con, electric windows front and rear, 16” alloys, cruise control and reversing camera as standard.
Style models like the one on test (from €24,750) have an impressive 9.2” Navigation & Infotainment system as standard, with 4G LTE SIM card slot to enable a high speed Wi-Fi hotspot within the car (data plans sold separately). There are also a host of additional connected services from Skoda Connect.
The Park Assist feature has been improved for 2017. Trailer Assist, Predictive Pedestrian Protection, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert are all available as options.
Interior space remains one of the largest in the class with the hatch retaining boot space of 590 litres and 610 litres in the Combi estate.
The Skoda Octavia has a reliable suite of engines on offer too including the 1.2TSI (86hp), 1.0TSI (115hp), 1.6TDI (90 and 115hp) and 2.0TDI (150hp). Manual and automatic gearboxes are available, as is 4×4.
On the road in the 2017 Skoda Octavia
I drove the Skoda Octavia 1.0TSI earlier in 2017. While it is impressive for low mileage/urban drivers, the 2.0-litre TDI with 150hp in my test car left little to complain about with excellent performance and economy over a week of driving. There is engine noise making its way into the cabin. But it’s muted and the Octavia is just a fantastic companion for travelling long distances.
This car is not allergic to a rural road either and grips well with weighty, direct steering inspiring confidence behind the wheel. The Octavia is generally as comfortable as you want from a family hatchback. But it is a bit noisy and harsh over big bumps and ruts in the road surface, especially around town. This implies that it lacks that extra layer of refinement and comfort that marks out the very best rivals.
Yet on a whole the Octavia is one very impressive car. There is no arguing with the fact that it is an absolute bargain if you really value the amount of space you are getting for your money. It dwarfs the competition in this regard. Stoic and sensible, the Skoda Octavia won’t be toppled from its position as one of Ireland’s favourite hatchbacks any time soon.
Read our preview of the 2020 Skoda Octavia.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Skoda Octavia Style 2.0TDI 150hp
Price: €29,050 (Range starts at €19,750)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel
Power: 150hp
Torque: 340Nm
0-100km/h: 8.4 seconds
Top speed: 218km/h
Economy: 66mpg
CO2 emissions: 113g/km
Motor tax: €200 per year
Skoda Kodiaq Review (2017)
The Skoda Kodiaq is Skoda’s much anticipated new 5/7-seat SUV. It’s just arrived in Ireland and promises to shake up the large family SUV segment for a combination of space, style and good value. I had the opportunity to drive the new Kodiaq at the Irish press launch.
Styling
Skoda design has gone upmarket in recent years and the Kodiaq follows the same sharp new design language that debuted with the Skoda Superb in 2015. The robust, chiselled good looks should single it out easily in the car park. There are a total of fourteen colours to choose from, ranging from the usual suspects of grey, white and black, to red and bright blue.
Interior
The interior design of the new Kodiaq is simple and understated, while the quality is good for this class of vehicle. All models come with a touchscreen, though higher spec models have larger 8” screens in the centre of the dash. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models.
Practicality
There is choice of a five or seven seat Kodiaq, with just €1000 in the difference. There are three large individual seats in the second row. In seven seat vehicles, there are two individual seats in the third row and sliding the row 2 seats forward a little makes this space much more practical for carrying children and maybe even adults occasionally! Headroom is best in class. In five seat mode, there is a class leading 720 litres of boot space, while in seven seat mode there is 270 litres.
Engines
The range kicks off with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit with 125bhp (manual) or 150bhp (DSG automatic). The 2.0-litre diesel comes with 150 or 190bhp, with the higher powered version reserved for DSG automatic 4x4 models. The best for economy is the 2.0-litre TDI 150hp DSG returning up to 58mpg with motor tax of €280 per year. At the launch, I drove the 2.0-litre TDI 150bhp 4x4 with a manual gearbox. The engine returns good performance with 0-100km achieved in 9.8 seconds in 7 seat versions, while the 6-speed manual gearbox is nice to use and the engine never gets too raucous when pushed.
On the road
The Skoda Kodiaq is easy to drive and agile for its size with light controls. The light steering makes it easy to manouvre around town and on tight country roads, but there is roll in corners when pushed hard. The Kodiaq has a soft, compliant ride and the cabin is soundproofed well.
Equipment
There are three trim levels for new Skoda Kodiaq in Ireland – Active, Ambition and Style. Standard equipment includes air con, 17” alloys, and cruise control. Step up to Ambition for 18” alloys, keyless engine start, silver roof rails, and front and rear parking sensors. Style models add 19” alloys, keyless entry, full LED headlights, alcantara upholstery, interior ambient lighting, rear view camera, navigation and Skoda Connect with a number of driver assistance features.
Pricing
The 5 seat Kodiaq range starts at €28,795 and the 7 seater at €29,795 for the entry 1.4-litre petrol. Diesels start from €35,495.
Rivals
Skoda list the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Ford Kuga and Nissan X-Trail as the main competition for new Kodiaq.
Verdict
With demand for cool-looking seven seat SUVs, the Skoda Kodiaq will easily find its market and Skoda Ireland is already selling new Kodiaq to buyers who have not bought Skoda before. The entry price into the range is attractive, but the diesels are significantly more expensive, though still competitive with rivals. Easy to drive with capable engines and an understated but quality interior, the new Kodiaq is impossible to ignore in the large family car market.
Caroline Kidd
Skoda Octavia Review (2017)
It’s fair to say that the Skoda Octavia is a bit of an Irish favourite, with the car consistently being one of the top selling models in Ireland. The Octavia’s generous interior space and value for money pricing makes it an irresistible package for Irish car buyers.
Skoda recently introduced a new 1.0-litre TSI engine to the Octavia range that will replace the 1.2-litre TSI 110bhp that was previously available. Reducing engine capacity in favour of turbo charging has become a popular trend in petrol technology, and this new engine is no different. The 1.0-litre turbocharged unit packs 115bhp and it’s also more efficient, returning up to 63mpg compared to 58mpg in the 1.2-litre TSI it replaces. CO2 emissions are down from 114g to 103g, so motor tax is €190 per year.
Of course, Ireland is still a diesel-loving country so Skoda also offers the Octavia with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels. In terms of power, the closest would be the 1.6-litre diesel with 110bhp. But petrol engines make a lot of sense for low mileage and/or urban drivers.
There is also something very pleasant and refined about a petrol engine. On the road, the Octavia 1.0 TSI is impressively smooth and refined, though when you do rev it hard you may be reminded of your granny’s old supermini. It pulls hard from about 2500rpm – that’s the sweet spot when it feels just as nippy as a diesel, though when you hit the accelerator it’s not immediately responsive. But once it starts spinning, the Octavia 1.0 TSI will make you smile. There is 200Nm of torque on offer compared to 250Nm in the 1.6 diesel Octavia, but the petrol is marginally quicker in a sprint to 100kmh if you’re interested in that sort of thing. So it can keep up with the best of them! Real world economy during my test drive was 47mpg.
Elsewhere, this is solid if not particularly exciting motoring. The steering has a good weighty feel to it but there is not much in the way of feedback and the car feels a bit heavy and stodgy in the corners. Ride comfort is generally good though not as supple as the very best in this regard. The Octavia is a class above in terms of interior space, with large rear footwells and a massive 590 litre boot. There is also something very reassuring about sitting into the cabin of an Octavia. Everything is in its right place and Skoda has really stepped up the quality in recent years, so it’s far from budget feeling.
There are currently four trim levels offered in Ireland: Active, Ambition, Style and L&K. Pricing starts at €18,995 for a very basic model. More realistic are Ambition models starting at what is still a very reasonable €22,880. Those cars include air con, cruise control, 16” alloys, four electric windows, rear parking sensors and a 6.5” touchscreen. Style models like the one on test start from €24,235 and include a rear reversing camera, dual zone climate control, rear LED lights, and a sports steering wheel. Diesels starts from €22,300.
The Skoda Octavia is clearly excellent value for the space on offer when compared to rivals. It’s not the most exciting car among its rivals, being quite conservatively styled and it won’t thrill you behind the wheel either but the 1.0-litre TSI does a great job here and gives the Octavia some real character.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI Style
Price: €25,730 (as tested including Sport Pack at €1,495)
Engine: 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 115bhp
0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds
Claimed economy: 63mpg
CO2 emissions: 103g/km
Tax band: €190 per year
Skoda Yeti Review
There are plenty of anonymous cars on Irish roads and if you drive a crossover it’s very easy to slip into oblivion among all the other raised-up hatchbacks.
But there’s just something about the Skoda Yeti. It stands out. It says something about you. Whether that’s good or bad is for you to decide.
The Skoda Yeti is quite van-like in profile but it’s a purposeful design that reaps benefits in terms of interior space. The high, squared off roof gives excellent headroom for everyone on board and rear legroom is very generous too. It’s certainly one of the roomier feeling cars in its class and the 416 litre boot is very versatile.
The Yeti’s interior is ageing well and the material quality is generally good around the cabin, if not especially plush. The grey and red seats in my Monte Carlo test car did inject some colour and fun into the otherwise sombre interior but it would be churlish to write off the Yeti on these grounds because there is something pleasantly honest and functional about this car that goes beyond colour accents and other gimmicks.
The engine line for the Skoda Yeti is made up of a 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine with 110hp and a 2.0-litre TDI with 110hp or 150hp. The 2.0-litre TDI with 110hp is the most efficient, returning up to 63mpg and motor tax is €200 per year. Petrols starts at €23,955, while diesels start at €25,495. Manual and automatic gearboxes are offered, as is the option of four wheel drive, with the cheapest 4x4 model coming in at €27,990.
My test car had the 2.0TDI with 150bhp and it’s got loads of grunt for the Yeti. Running costs do start to creep up a little however, with motor tax costing €270 per year for this model, though it still returns up to 59mpg. The 2.0TDI is a bit noisy on start up when cold and during harsh acceleration, but generally it’s a good companion for the Yeti.
The Yeti’s on road driving manners are surprisingly good. In short, it might look like a van but it does not drive like one. The steering is weighted nicely and it grips well over twisty rural roads with not too much body roll, and the suspension takes the edge off bumps and ruts in the road surface. However, it does get quite noisy in the cabin at motorway speeds.
There are five trims offered in Ireland: Active, Ambition, Style, Outdoor and Monte Carlo, with standard equipment including roof rails, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and air con.
The Monte Carlo model on test has cruise control, dual zone climate control, parking sensors, and a touchscreen for infotainment. There are also a number of unique features including a panoramic glass sunroof, 17” black alloy wheels, a front spoiler, rear diffuser, black front grille, door mirrors and roof, chrome tail pipe, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel and a sports pedal set.
With its unique looks and practical, spacious cabin, the Skoda Yeti remains an attractive and offbeat choice in the crossover segment.
Strong and sturdy with plenty of attitude, that’ll be the Skoda Yeti!
Model tested: Skoda Yeti Monte Carlo 2.0TDI 150hp
Price: €31,165 (Range starts at €23,955)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel
Power: 150hp
0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds
Economy: 59mpg
CO2 emissions: 126g/km
Tax band: €270 per year
Caroline Kidd
Skoda Octavia RS Review (2016)
Since the first Octavia RS landed in 2001, Skodas with the RS badge have earned their own loyal following of fans for hot performance at value for money pricing. In the case of the Octavia RS, that also means unrivalled space and practicality. The Skoda Octavia RS proves that practical can be fast and interesting too.
There are also quite a few models to choose from. The Octavia RS is available as a hatchback or estate, there are diesel or petrol variants, manual and automatic DSG gearboxes, and also now the option of four wheel drive on the diesel.
The most powerful of the Octavia RS range is the 2.0-litre TSI petrol with 230hp, but the 2.0-litre TDI diesel’s reason for being is simply that it’s cheaper to run while packing 184hp. It’s still quick, hitting 100kmh from a standstill in 8.1 seconds with a standard manual gearbox, but the four wheel drive DSG model tested here can do the same in 7.6 seconds.
The four wheel drive system and automatic gearbox add weight and impact economy, but motor tax is still significantly less than the TSI, at €270. The official economy is 58mpg (I got 52mpg) so the Octavia RS makes a lot of sense in everyday driving.
However, this car is not just about economy and the 2.0-litre TDI still serves up the same sort of handling powers as the petrol TSI. The Octavia RS has a sports suspension, and there’s also an electronic differential lock to improve cornering grip. You can really pull the Octavia RS tight into corners with no loss of stability, and the steering is natural and direct meaning that you will be slinging the Octavia RS in and out of them with gusto. The Octavia RS never feels quite as lithesome as smaller hatchbacks like the Golf GTI or Peugeot 308 GTi as there is more roll of its bodyweight in corners. The four wheel drive system is brilliant however - put your foot down hard on the accelerator and this thing just grips and goes forth like a demon! Comfort is also a plus here, there’s a firm edge to the suspension damping but it never slips into uncomfortable territory.
The shadow of the 2.0-litre TSI does hang a bit in the air though. I had the opportunity to drive these two cars back to back and the TSI has the better performance of the two. The two cars ride similarly and there’s very little between them in terms of handling. But there is no mistaking that you’re driving a diesel in the TDI. The TSI is just a more visceral experience because of the fundamental difference in the power delivery and noise of a petrol and diesel engine. There is definitely gains to be had in the TDI 4X4, the first being the almighty shove of torque (380Nm), and also the extra grip and stability from the four wheel drive system.
Regardless of which model you go for, the RS has beefed up styling that really does sit well on the Octavia including large alloys, rear spoiler, twin exhausts and RS badging on the grille and rear. Inside, there are decorative dash inserts in sport trim, red stitching on the flat bottomed steering wheel and around the gear stick, and some more RS badging. Definitely worth speccing are the optional full leather seats, which really do make the car feel a bit more special. Elsewhere, the cabin has a simple design built around the 5.8” colour touch-screen radio with SmartLink for smartphone connectivity, and you can’t knock the quality of the cabin at this price range.
RS diesels start at just €33,495, which is remarkably good value, not just for all of the above but because the Octavia offers fantastic interior and boot space for the money. The DSG 4x4 test car comes in at a heftier €38,795, while the 2.0-litre TSI starts at €35,995. Standard spec includes front fog lights, bi-xenon headlights, electric windows and mirrors, dual zone climate control, cruise control, reversing camera and touchscreen infotainment, as well as the RS design features.
Whether you go for a diesel or petrol Octavia RS, you’re getting great value for money; not just because of the power on offer and performance-tuned handling, but because the Octavia RS is a genuinely spacious family car. It’s guilt free pleasure. The TSI has the better performance of the two, but the diesel is the one that won’t break your heart with trips to the pumps, while still offering enough of the speed and handling finesse that makes this car a great daily drive.
Caroline Kidd
Model Tested: Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 TDI 184bhp DSG 4x4
Price: €38,795 (Range starts €33,495)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel
Power: 184bhp
0-100km/h: 7.6 seconds
Economy: 58mpg
CO2 Emissions: 129g/km
Motor Tax: €270 per year
ŠKODA Octavia 1.0 TSI On The Way!
The ŠKODA Octavia is one of Ireland’s bestselling cars and looks set to get a further boost with the arrival of a new engine option in July.
ŠKODA is following the trend for small, turbocharged petrol engines with the introduction of the new three cylinder 1.0-litre TSI with 115bhp, which will replace the old 1.2-litre TSI 110hp in the Octavia range.
Despite the smaller engine capacity, the new engine offers more power and torque. It’s also more efficient and will return up to 63mpg compared to 58mpg in the 1.2-litre TSI. C02 emissions are down from 114g to 103g. Motor tax for 1.0-litre TSI Octavias will be €190 per year.
Reducing engine capacity in favour of turbo charging has become a popular trend in petrol technology. ŠKODA will be the first brand within the Volkswagen Group to use the new 1.0-litre TSI unit in cars built on the MQB platform.
The new Octavia 1.0-litre TSI petrol is available to order now, with Ambition trim cars starting at €22,880.
Caroline Kidd
Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo Review (2014-2018)
Skoda has developed its own loyal cohort of fans in Ireland for its range of well-built, practical cars that offer access to Volkswagen Group technology and engines at affordable prices.
Read our latest review of the Skoda Fabia.
Skoda brings all that to the small car segment with the Fabia. An all-new Fabia (not just a facelift!) was launched in Ireland in late 2014, but a more recent addition to the range is the sporty-styled Fabia Monte Carlo.
The Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo will get pulses racing with sporty interior and exterior design. Power comes from a choice of a 1.0-litre petrol (75bhp), 1.2-litre turbo petrols (90bhp or 110bhp), or a 1.4-litre diesel (90bhp), but the 1.2-litre with 110bhp is the one to go for if you want to bop around town and up and down mountain roads like it’s the Monte Carlo rally. You’ll probably finish in last place, but at least you will have fun doing it.
While the Fabia range starts at a reasonable €13,895 for a 1.0-litre 60bhp five door hatchback in Active trim, the Monte Carlo range starts at a heftier €17,995 so it’s for the buyer who wants a small car with a strong image and more visual appeal.
Is the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo worth it?
Breaking news: the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is sexy. The new Fabia is all angles and lines and attitude. But in the glossy Corrida Red of the test car with black contrasting finish on the door mirrors, tips of the side skirts, bumpers, and on the optional 17” alloys (16” standard), the Fabia Monte Carlo does turn heads.
Inside there are gorgeous red and black seats, slightly questionable red plastic around the storage compartments below the centre console, and a fantastic flat bottomed steering wheel. The equipment upgrade for the Monte Carlo trim includes a full length fixed panoramic glass roof and rear parking sensors. The cabin feels solid and well-built but it’s not particularly plush. There’s quite a lot of scratchy black plastic. The dash design is simple and mature, and a touchscreen with Bluetooth comes as standard.
My test car has the firecracker that is the 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol with 110bhp under the bonnet. 0-100kmh is an inspiring 9.4 seconds. There’s what feels like a huge boost of power when you pull it into second gear, with a surprising little growl too. This car is so nippy around town and is well up for keeping up with traffic on the motorway. It will return up to 59mpg, while motor tax of €190 per year keeps it within the lines of providing the efficiency that small car buyers want.
Driving the 2016 Skoda Fabia
The Fabia is a bit noisy when you're out driving on the motorway with a fair bit of road and wind noise coming into the cabin. Around town you can hear that engine working. But that helps define the sporty character of the car (it’s the Monte Carlo version after all!). It’s mostly a comfortable small car but bumps and ruts in town can be felt in the cabin.
Yet this Fabia is fun to drive. You’ve got all that explosive, rev-happy, turbo petrol power, good grip through those front tyres when cornering, and well-weighted, direct steering to keep you in touch with what’s going on underneath. So though it’s no hot hatch, you can work out the car’s limits quickly and still be able to get the best from the car.
The thing is if you spec the car with the 1.2-litre TSI 110bhp engine you’re looking at a list price of €19,945. This is in the same price bracket as high end models like this from other brands. But obviously we’ve well and truly moved out of the realm of the cheap small car. Sure the running costs will be low but what else are you getting?
Did you like it?
Luckily the Fabia is one of the more practical superminis with rear passengers getting good head and legroom. The boot volume is really good for a supermini. It's 330 litres which is actually a bit more more than in the Ford Focus.
The Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is for the small car buyer who wants a car with attitude and a bit more power, and is willing to pay a premium for what is still a small car. The Skoda Fabia’s practicality, build and strong image makes that an easier to decision to make.
Caroline Kidd
Model Tested: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 5-door 1.2 TSI 110bhp
Price: €19,945
Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
Power: 110bhp
0-100km/h: 9.4 seconds
Economy: 59mpg
CO2 Emissions: 110g/km
Motor Tax: €190 per year
Skoda Superb Review (2015)
The Superb is the flagship model of the Skoda range. It's back for a third generation on a new platform and with a striking new design. The brand has had high aspirations for its cars for many years now. The new Superb really looks like the car that can deliver on these aspirations.
Scroll down to read the review or watch my video review:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgf4AYOY7m0]
With styling inspired by the Skoda VisionC concept car, the new Superb is more dynamic looking than before. It is a genuinely handsome car. It’s a bit taller, wider and longer when compared to the car it replaces, but it carries its size with grace.
The high-end feel is not limited to just the way the new Superb looks from the outside. The cabin has a high-quality finish and a simple, attractive design. At night, a little strip of ambient lighting around the doors and dash adds wow factor (blue, white or green, depending on your preference!).
Inside the 2015 Skoda Superb
There are neat touches everywhere like the umbrella in the driver and passenger door on some models, a cupholder that grips a bottle so you can open it with one hand, an ice scraper inside the fuel cap, and Velcro shopping dividers and a removable torch in the boot. The Superb is a good example of the Skoda ‘Simply Clever’ tagline!
The new car keeps the spectacular class-leading legroom and boot space that the Superb has become known for. You really have to see it to believe it. The boot is now 30 litres bigger compared to the old car and packs in a huge 625 litres with the rear seats up.
And there’s only one word to describe rear legroom and that’s “stately”!
There’s an extensive engine range including 1.4-litre (125bhp) and 2.0-litre (280bhp) turbo petrols and 1.6-litre (120bhp) and 2.0-litre (150bhp or 190bhp) turbo diesels. Manual or automatic gearboxes are available and there’s also the option of four wheel drive.
My test car was powered by the 2.0-litre diesel with 150bhp. It’s got plenty of pull in it for a big car like this, breaking the 10 second barrier in a sprint from 0 to 100kmh. It will do it in 8.8 seconds with a manual gearbox. It’s a bit grumbly under hard acceleration, but settles down well for cruising.
Driving the Skoda Superb
On the road there is a bit more road noise getting through to the cabin than what I would expect from a large car like this. But it is very comfortable and assured for long trips on the motorway. The handling and steering response do not feel particularly sporty. But the Superb does feel very predictable and safe in the corners.
The 2.0-litre diesel (150bhp) will return up to 69mpg with a manual gearbox and costs €190 to tax per year.
There are four trim levels: Active, Ambition, Style and L&K. Equipment levels are high. Entry level cars get electric windows and mirrors, emergency city brake, cruise control, dual zone climate control, Bluetooth and a 5” touchscreen. Though you will need to go up to Ambition for alloy wheels. The Style model I had on test has a whole lot of kit typically associated with a more luxurious car. It included a full leather interior, electrically adjustable, heated front seats, parking sensors, rear view camera, tri zone climate control and an 8” touchscreen including navigation. All cars have Bluetooth phone connectivity and touchscreen infotainment systems. These get bigger and more advanced as you up the trim levels. From Ambition trim up, the Superb comes equipped with "Smartlink". It allows for mirroring of your phone screen and access to selected apps on the infotainment system.
Is the Skoda Superb any good?
Skoda has really upped the ante with the new Superb. The brand has had high aspirations for its cars for many years now, and the new Superb really looks like the car that can deliver on these aspirations. For a start it looks the part of a more expensive, premium car - the clean lines, sleek profile and the commanding gaze from that new front end.
But most of us spend more time inside our cars than admiring them from afar and luckily the Superb will do a good job of making you feel special and comfortable behind the wheel. The interior is well-made, there’s not a whiff of budget, and it’s classy in its simplicity of design. Comfort levels are high and even base level cars are well-equipped – but start to go up the trim levels and the equipment is really piled on.
On the road, the Superb’s mature road manners will reassure that the car’s affordability is not sacrificed to poor driving dynamics, and the only inkling that the Superb might not be as premium as it aspires to is a bit more road noise coming into the cabin for it to convince as a truly premium driving experience.
Would you buy it?
But the big selling point for the Superb is that it’s such good value. For an entry price of less than €30,000, you get so much car - so much rear leg room, so much boot space, and plenty of equipment. The fact that this car has a high-end cabin and is sleeker and more striking to look at than before...well that’s just the icing on the cake!
Model Tested: Skoda Superb 2.0-litre TDI (150bhp) Style
Price: €35,895 (Range starts at €27,895)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel
Power: 150bhp
0-100km/h: 8.8 seconds
Economy: 68.9mpg
CO2 Emissions: 108g/km
Motor Tax: €190 per year
Caroline Kidd