Skoda doesn’t make much of a fuss about it, but the Octavia vRS has quietly nailed the ‘everyday fast car’ formula for over two decades. It’s always been the thinking person’s hot hatch, eschewing tyre-shredding power and Nurburgring lap records, and instead focusing on keeping your spine intact while moving you, your family, and a boot full of bikes, bags or buggies as quickly and comfortably as possible. Now it’s had a facelift and been given a little more power, so is it better than ever?
What’s new about the Skoda Octavia vRS?
The big news is what’s not here. Skoda has ditched the diesel and binned the plug-in hybrid, leaving one engine choice: a 2.0-litre petrol turbo with 262bhp and front-wheel drive. That’s the same EA888 unit you’ll find in a Golf GTI, and yes, it’s still a great engine. It’s also DSG-auto only now – the manual is gone, and few will miss it.
The facelift brings a slightly sharper nose, marginally angrier headlights, and a better-looking infotainment screen inside. It’s the same sensible Octavia underneath, just turned up a notch.
Behind the wheel
This is one of those cars that feels sorted straight away. Everything is where it should be, the DSG gearbox behaves itself, and there’s a decent slug of power whenever you ask for it. It’s not hyper-hatch quick, but 0–62mph in 6.4 seconds reveals plenty of power for overtakes and backroad blasts.
On the Isle of Man’s famous TT roads, the vRS felt composed and quick, once we’d escaped the traffic. It’s not wild or raucous, but satisfying and confidence-inspiring.
It handles better than it needs to. Grip is strong, thanks to clever front diff tech (a VAQ electrohydraulic system, if you’re into that), and the steering is direct, if a bit shy on feedback. Ride comfort is mostly excellent, especially if you fork out for the optional adaptive dampers. They’re pricey, but worth it if you cover a lot of ground, especially when you want to stop having fun and just waft along the motorway.
On rougher roads, it can feel slightly unsettled at low speeds, and wet tarmac, combined with an enthusiastic throttle, can lead to a bit of wheelspin. It’s still front-wheel drive, after all. But most of the time, it just gets on with things. It’s like a Golf GTI in dad jeans, and that’s a compliment.
Everyday life
It might not look it, but the Octavia vRS is enormous. In estate form – and that’s the version we’d pick – the boot offers 640 litres of space, which is more than a Mercedes E-Class. Fold the seats, and it’ll swallow furniture, flatpacks, or the dog and half your mates.
Rear legroom is superb, there are cupholders and USB-C ports where you want them, and Skoda’s still doing thoughtful touches like the ice scraper in the boot lid and umbrella in the door. The cabin is solid, if a little plain – red stitching, diamond-quilted seats and some carbon-look trim do their best to jazz things up, but don’t expect Audi drama.
The new 13-inch touchscreen is vastly improved. It’s faster, cleaner, and less rage-inducing than before, although it’s still not perfect. Some features are still buried in menus, and rotary knobs wouldn’t go amiss for everyday essentials. Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the physical shortcut buttons are a win over some Volkswagen siblings.
The numbers
Prices start at just under £38,000 for the hatch and just over £39,000 for the estate. That’s creeping into serious money, especially once you’ve added a few must-have options. But it’s still cheaper than a Golf GTI, and considerably more usable, and it narrowly escapes the ‘posh car tax’ unless you get tempted by metallic paint or fancier wheels.
Officially, the vRS returns over 40mpg, and on a steady motorway cruise, that’s actually achievable. Even when driven hard, you’re unlikely to see it dip too far below that.
Standard kit includes Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, and an electric boot. Not bad at all. Just budget for the adaptive dampers and maybe a heated steering wheel if you’re feeling flush.
Skoda Octavia vRS: The verdict
The Skoda Octavia vRS isn’t here to blow your socks off. It’s not trying to be a Civic Type R or Golf R. It’s trying to be the car that does everything and absolutely succeeds in achieving that mission.
It’s quick enough to be fun, comfy enough to cruise, big enough for the family, and low-key enough to keep the neighbours from judging. If you want something fast and grown-up, that doesn’t shout about itself, the Octavia vRS hits the sweet spot.
Model tested: Skoda Octavia vRS Hatch
Price: £38,670
Average Joes rating: ★★★★☆
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.