Tag Archives: car-review

Estate/Sport Tourer, Performance, Skoda

Skoda Octavia vRS: A family-friendly firecracker

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Skoda Octavia vRS Estate

By Bill McCarthy

It’s been a few years since my first encounter with the Skoda Octavia vRS, a car that left quite an impression. Fast forward to today, and the Octavia is the longest-serving model in the modern Skoda lineup. This is no surprise, considering its blend of impressive performance, sharp handling, and family-friendly features, especially in its estate form.

Longevity through quality

The Octavia name has been around for six decades, and the latest iteration is among the best in its segment and offers:

  • Spacious interior: Perfect for families and long trips.
  • State-of-the-art technology: Keeping up with modern demands.
  • Excellent practicality: Ideal for everyday use.

The first Octavia vRS I drove had a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a modest, relatively, 170bhp. In contrast, today’s model boasts a huge 265PS, making it the most powerful version yet. This evolution showcases Skoda’s commitment to performance while maintaining practicality.

Sporty yet understated

The design of the Octavia vRS is sporty without being overly flashy. Key features include:

  • New sports exhausts and black tailpipes
  • Restyled front and rear bumpers
  • Aggressive black grille surround
  • Black roof rails (standard on the tourer)

The lowered suspension and striking 19-inch anthracite alloy wheels complete the sporty, even predatory look that many buyers seek in an estate vehicle.

Performance and efficiency

Tweaked for 2024, the heart of the Octavia vRS is a 2.0 TSI petrol engine paired with a seven-speed DSG transmission. This combination not only delivers rapid pace but also decent fuel economy.

Interior comfort and technology

Inside, it is smart yet minimalist, featuring:

  • High-quality fixtures
  • Sporty touches like alloy pedals and a vRS multi-function steering wheel
  • Sports upholstery with red stitching and the vRS logo

The central 13” infotainment system acts as the brain of the car, complemented by a 10” Virtual Cockpit that provides real-time information. Connectivity is enhanced with AI functionality, including ChatGPT integrated into the Laura voice assistant, and the updated MyŠkoda app for improved car-smartphone connectivity.

On the Road

When it comes to performance, the vRS can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 6.5 seconds, making it only 0.1 seconds slower than the hatch version. The driving experience is dynamic, stable, and rapid, even on long sweeping bends, thanks to the electrohydraulic differential system that enhances traction and handling.

For those seeking an even more engaging drive, the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) option allows drivers to select from Normal, Comfort, Sport, or Individual modes for tailored chassis settings.

Comfort and efficiency

Despite its sporty nature, the ride remains comfortable, as proven during extended motorway runs. It returned impressive economy figures in the late 30s mpg, getting close to the official WLTP economy figure of 40.3 mpg during often high-speed motorway driving.

One of the standout features is boot space. With 640 litres available, it expands to a whopping 1,555 litres with the rear seats down, making it an excellent choice for families and those needing extra cargo space.

The revised Simply Clever features offer added practical value, including a storage box for rear passengers’ items, and a tablet holder that is now available for sports seats. Additionally, the ice scraper located in the fuel filler flap and the umbrella in the front door are now made from sustainable materials, with the umbrella remaining part of the available equipment.

Better safety

Safety is a priority, equipped with up to 10 airbags and a full range of safety features including advanced attention and drowsiness systems and emergency braking.  Parking is simplified with intelligent parking systems.

Opinion

The Octavia vRS has evolved into a desirable vehicle with the estate balancing performance, practicality, and modern technology. It will be interesting to see where the electric vehicle revolution takes it.

Factfile 

  • Skoda Octavia vRS Estate 2.0 TSI 265PS DSG
  • Price: £40,390
  • Engine: 265PS, two litre petrol engine, driving front wheels via a 7-speed DSG automatic  transmission 
  • Max Speed: 155 mph  
  • 0-62 mph: 6.5 seconds  
  • Combined MPG: 40.1
  • Insurance Group: 29  
  • CO2 Emissions: 161 g/km  
  • BiK Rating: 37%  
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles  

Motoring, SUV/4X4

A 7-seat SUV with off-road excellence

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KGM Rexton K50

By Bill McCarthy

It’s all change for a brand that has been around for nearly 70 years and is an SUV and four-wheel drive specialist, known for its rugged durability and off-road prowess.

For Korean brand SsangYong, yes SsangYong, now read KGM, a much more user friendly name – like BMW or BYD.

It has recently launched the mid-sized SUV Actyon, a first under the new KGM name, but others like the huge Rexton have been rebranded.

It looks the part, a huge seven-seat road presence. At more than two tonnes, it is not going to be the sharpest handler on the road, more of a well-specified workhorse with its seating capacity, off-road capability and the ability to tow a huge 3.5 tonnes.

It offers excellent value, starting at £39,500. For that price, you get a comprehensive package, with even this top-of-the-line model being highly competitive compared to its rivals. It offers a decent, if not class leading, interior with powered leather-style seats, illuminated scuff plates and ambient lighting.

The vehicle has a smart grille sporting the KGM logo, sleek LED headlights, and eye-catching alloy wheels with integrated roof bars. Trim levels start with the base model K20 featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital console, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch smartphone-compatible touchscreen.

The K40 adds TomTom navigation, a power tailgate, privacy glass, a smart key system, and selectable four-wheel drive. This K50 includes mood lighting, stainless steel finishes, a 3D surround view camera, and premium Nappa leather. It also has 20-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, driver seat memory, a wireless charger, roll-up sunshades, and air conditioning for all three rows. 

It is a practical seven-seater vehicle, though the last two seats are best for children or short trips. Folding them down creates a van-like space with ample storage.

With both rear rows folded down, there is 1,806 litres of boot space available, 872 litres with the second row upright, and 240 litres with all seats occupied. The double-folding second-row seats also make it easy to access the third row.

 It has a commanding driving position from an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and while the layout might not look cutting edge, all controls are intuitive and handily placed. Dominant on this model is the 12 inch central screen, part of the new floating infotainment system which operates major functions and delivers important real-time information, including safety warnings

A 2.2-litre 202 PS turbo diesel engine provides ample power for various driving conditions. Although there is a noticeable clatter at startup, this sound fades once the vehicle is in motion.

For such a large vehicle, acceleration is decent, with the eight-speed automatic transmission allowing the vehicle to reach 60 mph in just under 11 seconds.

It primarily operates in two-wheel-drive mode, but if off-road conditions arise, the driver can easily switch to either high or low gear four-wheel drive. In this mode, the engine’s torque is evenly distributed to both the front and rear wheels.

Handling is wallowy on corners and the suspension can feel unsettled on poor roads, but otherwise, it is comfortable for passengers and is a decent motorway cruiser.

 Economy is so-so for the type of vehicle at around 33mpg, but this is a heavy seven-seater with four-wheel drive, ideal for the school run, taxi, or running a small business with a vehicle that needs stowage capacity.

Safety features are comprehensive and include nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking, safety distance warning, lane departure warning and trailer sway control.

With a starting price of  £40k-ish, against its competitors, it offers value for money and proven technology. It also looks good. Just remember the name.

Factfile

KMG Rexton K50

Price: £46,370 

Mechanical: 163ps, 2157cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine with eight-speed automatic transmission

Max speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 33

Insurance group: 39

C02 emissions: 227g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles