2013 Skoda Octavia review - Telegraph That basic recipe hasn't changed for the new model, which was launched this spring. The latest Octavia uses VW's MQB architecture and, as a result, has an extra 4.25 inches in the wheelbase, shorter overhangs, a bigger cabin and more balanced looks. The previous model had a pugnacious charm that the new one lacks, but the trade-off is a larger cabin, a huge boot and much improved rear-seat accommodation. The engines are familiar small-capacity VW Group units: 1.2-litre 103bhp and 1.4-litre 138bhp petrols, and 1.6-litre 103bhp and 2.0-litre 148bhp diesels. The transmissions are five- and six-speed manual gearboxes or a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG semi-automatic. Three trim levels (S, SE and Elegance) are offered and prices run from £15,990 for the base-spec 1.2 petrol to £23,240 for a 2.0-litre TDI Elegance. We drove the UK's favourite specification; a 1.6-litre TDI in Elegance trim which, with some optional extras, brought the on-the-road price to £22,635. Elegance offers 17in wheels, collision braking, a multi-function steering wheel, seven airbags, DAB radio, driver-fatigue sensor, dual-zone air con, front fog lamps, leather and cloth upholstery, electronically folding door mirrors, cruise control, intelligent self-parking, keyless entry and engine starting and lane-keeping assist. If this all seems like rather a lot of kit for a back-to-basics family motor, we thought so, too. Most people will select the £19,240 SE trim level, which gives 16in rims and a more modest level of kit, which still includes dual-zone air-con and parking sensors. The cabin has a pleasing simplicity and a workmanlike honesty. Hard, but not unpleasant, plastics meet accurately and the switchgear is unpretentious and well engineered. Nothing's unpleasant to touch, but there's not a huge amount of joy there, either. Accommodation is generous, with plenty of leg and head room for six-footers front and rear and enough width for three across the rear bench. There's a good amount of storage space around the seats and the boot is, at 590 litres, huge. Our main complaint is that the seats aren't particularly comfortable for long distances. The 1.6-litre engine is VW's miser meister, tuned for frugality and low emissions rather than character. There's a harsh edge to its note and while it's reasonably muted at speed, it's raucous when revved. There's little point in doing so, anyway, because it's all done by 3,500rpm, let alone the 5,000rpm red line. The five-speed manual 'box has a lovely light and precise change, with reasonably spaced ratios, although for such a big car (it weighs 1.23 tonnes) you desperately want for a sixth gear so the others can be stacked a little closer. Either way, it's difficult to justify the extra £1,250 for the twin-clutch DSG 'box. Economy is quoted 74.3mpg in the Combined cycle and we're not sure by what fantasy cycle that is obtained, because we could only achieve a little more than 50mpg over 700 gently driven miles. Progress is stately unless you wring the engine's neck, and it's also rather noisy, with roaring 225/45 tyres, wind blustering off the A-pillars and a low-frequency body boom that leaves the optional Canto' stereo sounding like a transistor radio on a breezy beach. Those tyres don't do much for the ride quality, either. On MacPherson strut front and a revised twist-beam rear suspension, the ride is soft and the car rides over long-wave bumps well, but it crashes through potholes and rattles over small ripples. Colleagues report the 16in rims are an improvement. As you might expect the handling is pretty featureless. Body roll is contained, but there's no feedback to the steering wheel and while nose-on understeer isn't overwhelming and mechanical grip is quite high, there's little joy in pushing the Octavia harder than it wants to go. The steering is well weighted, but needs more on-centre responsiveness. In all, it's a pretty underwhelming drive and while you'd be right in observing that rewarding motoring isn't what most Octavia owners are looking for, you need to remember that this new model is no longer the bargain-basement Octavia of old. There's been a general £1,000 increase across the range and while buying and owning a Skoda is still cheaper than a lot of the competition, it's by a narrower margin than before. So four stars but no more. Skoda is going to have to learn to put some love into the driving experience into its cars, because it's no longer enough to be cheap, cheerful and practical in this sector. Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Tested: 1,598cc, four-cyl turbodiesel, five-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive Price/on sale: £22,635 as tested (range £ £15,990 to £23,240) /now Power/torque:104bhp @ 3,000rpm/184 lb ft @ 1,500rpm. Top speed: 121 mph Accleleration: 0-62mph in 10.4sec Fuel economy: 74.3mpg (Combined), on test 51.5mpg. CO2 emissions: 99g/km VED band: A (£0) Verdict: Unlike the smaller Rapid, the new Octavia strikes a reasonable balance between economy and comfort. Huge boot, decent rear accommodation and just adequate performance and economy. It's no longer cheap, however, while the optional 17in wheels give a sharp ride quality and the cabin is noisy. Telegraph rating: Four out of five stars MG6 Magnette OK, the 1.8-litre turbo K-series engine isn't the most frugal, but there's actually quite a lot to like in this Chinese-built Rover, including fine UK-honed handling, sharp steering and lots of space. Kia Optima South Korean four-door saloon, good looking, well equipped and comfortable, with adequate performance and reasonable economy. Feels a bit first-generation, though, and the steering is horrible.