I drove my first Octavia vRS more than twenty years ago. That was the 1.8-litre turbo with 180hp and a manual gearbox, and it was a proper shock – a family hatchback that went like a hot hatch but didn’t punish you for it. The latest one version is quicker, cleverer, and more expensive, but the basic formula hasn’t changed: serious performance, proper space, and a price that undercuts most of its rivals.

It looks the part, with black gloss accents replace chrome, the front bumper features large air intakes, and the signature vRS badging appears discreetly on the grille and tailgate.

Price and power

Now at £40,660. That’s a sizeable jump from the previous model I tested, which came in just under £34,000. You get a lot for the extra outlay, though. The 2.0 TSI engine now produces 265PS, sent through a seven-speed DSG gearbox that shifts crisply. It’ll hit 62mph in 6.4 seconds and run out of steam at 155mph, which is more than enough for UK roads.

On the road

What matters more is how it drives. I took it on some proper roads through the twisty stuff through the Derbyshire Peaks – and it proved as surefooted as a mountain goat. The grip is exceptional. You can push hard through corners that tighten unexpectedly, and the car just holds its line. The steering weighs up nicely without going heavy, and the suspension – lowered by 15mm over the standard car – keeps body roll in check. The growl of the twin exhausts adds a satisfying backdrop.

Clever differential

On paper, a front‑wheel‑drive car with nearly 270hp sounds like a handful – tugging at the wheel and spinning its tyres. In practice, the electronic differential shifts power between the front wheels smoothly – you just feel the car grip and power out of bends without any steering kickback. Rear‑drive purists will say it’s not the same, but the majority would barely notice the difference.

Practicality

The boot is vast – 600 litres with the seats up, 1,555 litres with them folded. I shifted several heavy rubble bags and a dismantled flatpack on a tip run, and the car barely noticed. The load lip is low, the opening is wide, and you can option the virtual pedal for hands-free opening. It’s genuinely useful in a way that hot hatchbacks often aren’t. In addition, the  Skoda clever extras – like the ice scraper in the fuel filler flap, the umbrella under the passenger seat, and the ticket holder on the A-pillar – remind you this is a car built by people who actually think about everyday use.

Cabin and controls

Inside, the cabin is understated and well built with comfortable, sporty branded seats.The 13-inch infotainment screen dominates the dash, but Skoda hasn’t gone for single-screen bells and whistles. You still get proper rotary dials for the climate control, physical buttons for the heated seats and drive modes, and a decent volume knob. After spending time in cars where every function is buried in touchscreen menus and sub-menus, it’s a relief. The screen is clear, allowing smartphone access, apps, infotainment and navigation where required.

Fuel economy

Fuel economy is better than you’d expect. I saw 45mpg on a motorway run, above the official WLTP combined figure of around 40.8mpg. It’s not a car you’d buy for economy, but it’s nice to be able to save the pounds at the petrol pumps.

Safety and family kit

Safety kit is comprehensive: blind spot monitoring, lane assist, predictive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, and the usual airbag complement. ISOFIX points are fitted to the outer rear seats and front passenger seat, which matters if you’re ferrying children around.

Verdict

The Octavia vRS is fast, practical, well equipped, and returns better economy than its performance deserves. For some it lacks the prestige of a German rival or the drama of rear-drive, but it does everything so competently that you start to question what you’d actually gain by spending more. Day in, day out, it simply delivers. Twenty years on, that’s still what makes it a fine car.

Factfile

• Škoda Octavia vRS
• Price: £40,660 (as tested)
• Mechanical: 265PS, 1984cc, four-cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox
• Max speed: 155 mph
• 0-62mph: 6.4secs
• Combined mpg: 40.4 – 40.9mpg (WLTP)
• CO₂ emissions: 155 – 160g/km 
• Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles (standard manufacturer’s warranty)