In its 20-odd years on the planet thus far, the Octavia vRS has been offered with petrol, diesel and hybrid power, hatchback and estate bodies, front- and four-wheel drive and a manual and automatic gearbox. I recall attending the launch of the Mk3 a decade ago and being flummoxed as to where to start. Yet despite its varied plundering of the VW Group parts shelves, we’ve always been denied a full-strength performance model, be it a GTI Clubsport-esque special or an all-conquering R equivalent.
That doesn’t change with this Mk4 facelift; indeed the car you see here is one of only two options in a slimmed-down range. The vRS is now either a five-door hatch or estate, each exclusively with a 2.0-litre TSI engine driving the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG ‘box. Rather foolhardy when you consider how favourably the fleet sector looks upon hybrids…
For private buyers, though, this is surely the powertrain of choice in a post-Dieselgate world. And a newly simplified range only enhances the ‘classy pragmatism’ vibes of the Czech brand. It’s a handsome car whichever shape you choose, its smartly chiselled exterior only slightly undermined by its fussy 19-inch wheels. I didn’t love them at first but with repeated glances they do start to bring a ‘natty trainers on a smart-casual suit’ feel. A look most car designers seem to rock, perhaps not coincidentally.
Clamber beyond this example’s dazzling paint (Phoenix Orange, a £410 option) and you’ll find a compact umbrella and burly, cossetting sports seat for each front occupant. And praise be: the Octavia retains buttons on the steering wheel rather than the glossy pads still lurking in a Golf R. Turning off its annoying assistance systems constitutes a couple of scrolls on the ‘wheel controls or an easily accessed icon at the top of the 13-inch touchscreen. Where you can also easily flick the ESC into Sport with a couple of button presses, too. The climate controls are within the screen but stay fixed in place and thankfully aren’t too distracting.
Such is 2024 life, those feel like the points to prioritise. Not least when the mechanical makeover is relatively modest. Much like the Golf GTI, its EA888 four-pot has had a light tickle, now 20hp fruitier with 265hp though its 273lb ft of torque figure is unchanged. That means 0-62mph happens a weeny bit quicker: 6.4 seconds in the hatch, 6.5 in this estate. Top speed remains 155mph.
The engine is a strong performer as always, just a little coarse and droney with speed despite an uprated sports exhaust system. All the better for not chasing the revs – the DSG doesn’t trust you with redline upshifts anyway – instead riding the torque. The Octavia feels little slower with earlier, more prudent flicks of the right-hand paddle. And you don’t really miss the option of a manual – well, I didn’t – as this feels like a different sort of car. It’s also harder to chastise its deletion here than in the Golf, with no dimpled knob to mourn the loss of. Even if the paddleshifters are of the petite, plasticky variety.
It feels more softly sprung than the GTI and its optional DCC damping isn’t especially punishing even when ramped right up to the top of its (15!) settings. It’s usually an extra worth having, but at £1,185 it’s 50 per cent pricier here than on the VW options list and given the less gnarly vibe, losing it might be an easy way to keep under the psychological £40k barrier. We know Skodas are fab now, but that does suddenly seem a lot for an Octavia, right?
Or perhaps this car should be given its chance to swing expensively the other way. Skoda’s never truly loosened the Octavia’s leash – well, beyond its 227mph Bonneville special – and there are lots of areas where this car could sharpen its focus. The wintry conditions of our photoshoot triggered wheelspin and scrabbling out of junctions, despite the standard-fit VAQ locking diff. Its influence is not as obvious here (perhaps inevitably) as in a Golf Clubsport and more assertive inputs reveal a car that’s a bit more aloof and fallible than a stock GTI.
But then the Skoda is cheaper and larger in hatchback form and this is undeniably going to be the car with greater bandwidth for everyday life. Skoda UK’s own Superb Sleeper expertly proves that some considered modifications can create a real ripsnorter for those clear of their lease deal and wanting to play. This base product is evidently good, its centre of gravity tangibly low beside heavier SUVs and its throttle pleasantly precise in a market swamped by PHEVs. It’s a nourishing steak and ale pie amongst the fusion food.
“When it's six o'clock on a Saturday morning and there are 300 miles to do, the Octavia's cabin is difficult to find fault with,” said Mr Bird of the pre-facelift Mk4 back in late 2020. It’s a feeling that permeates the whole car. There are few things I’d rather find parked in a wet ‘n’ windy long stay after a delayed flight, its blend of speed and sanctuary probably unbeaten for the price - even if it’s gained seven grand since Matt typed those words. The world is fraught and divisive right now – the vRS continues to be a car that takes the middle of the road with welcome panache.
Mind, photographer Oli bemoaned getting just 22mpg out of it – almost half Skoda’s official claim – but then this shoot did take place over tumultuous, sub-zero tarmac with a few tastier cars to hang onto the coattails of. Which the Octavia relentlessly did, its easygoing pace as swift as you’d ever want to go in the real world of potholes and dash cams.
Whether there’s enough panache to tempt SUV devotees a little lower to the ground, I’m less sure, but there’s already a new Kodiaq vRS with the same powertrain to help solve any stalemated family car discussions. But for those of us keen to dig our heels into the ground of a turbulent car market, the tried and trusted formula on display here is hugely admirable. It might be a little sad that Skoda’s trimmed its famed versatility down with the powertrain offer – not least when the Cupra Leon Estate configurator is awash with choice – but fear not: it’s picked the purest option possible in the current market. And the one with which the vRS surely always felt strongest.
SPECIFICATION | 2025 SKODA OCTAVIA VRS ESTATE
Engine: 1,984cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 7-speed DSG, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 265@5,250-6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 273@1,600-4,500rpm
0-62mph: 6.5 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,534kg
MPG: 40.3 (WLTP)
CO2: 159g/km (WLTP)
Price: £39,775 (£41,570 as tested)
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