Review: Skoda Octavia vRS

This year the Škoda Octavia celebrates 30 years of modern-generation production, although the name dates back to 1959, when the original Octavia was launched in Czechoslovakia as a family car and estate.

Since 1996 there have been four generations and almost 7.9 million Octavias have been produced. The fourth generation received an update in early 2024, bringing changes including up to 10 airbags and attention and drowsiness assist. More than one million examples have now been produced.

The first Octavia vRS arrived in 2001, introducing those three letters which, when attached to a Škoda, promise something special behind the wheel. The vRS badge also appears on Fabia, Kodiaq, Enyaq and Elroq models.

Ostensibly a hot hatch, the Octavia vRS has the practicality of a small estate, with a huge 600-litre boot that expands to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded down. There is plenty of room for five adults, too, with enough space to stretch out.

Following the facelift, there is just one powertrain for the vRS: a revised 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine producing 261bhp and 273lb/ft of torque. It is the most powerful and fastest production Octavia vRS yet, managing 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds.

But outright speed is not the whole story. Power delivery is sublime and the vRS is remarkably forgiving. Whatever speed you are travelling at, and whatever type of road you are on, it remains comfortable, willing and impressively versatile. It is a genuine all-rounder.

There is no mistaking the vRS for an ordinary Octavia. The badge appears inside and out – on the front and rear, kickplates, gear lever, steering wheel and seat backs. The redesigned bumpers and revised vRS grille logo make the biggest statement, while a sports exhaust with black tailpipes comes as standard.

Inside, the predominantly black cabin will be familiar to anyone who has driven a recent member of the VW Group. Most controls are accessed through the 13-inch central touchscreen, so it pays to spend time finding your way around. Some functions remain on the three-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel, which is helpful.

Storage is plentiful and well positioned, including a deep cubby beneath the armrest. There is also a fast wireless charger up front and extra USB-C ports in the rear.

The driver can easily find a comfortable position thanks to generous seat and steering-wheel adjustment.

That combination of performance and practicality is what makes the Octavia vRS such an appealing proposition. It can behave like a family car around town, yet has the pace and poise to make a longer drive genuinely enjoyable. It feels equally at home on a motorway, winding country road or urban streets.

Our test car had a recommended on-the-road price of £40,660. Options included metallic paint (£855), Canton sound system (£720), space-saving spare wheel (£200) and Dynamic Chassis Control (£1,210), taking the final price to £43,645.

Skoda Octavia vRS

Price: £40,660 (£43,645 as tested)

Engine: two-litre petrol

Power: 261bhp

Torque: 273lb/ft

Transmission: Seven-speed DSG

Top speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 6.4 seconds

Economy: 4-mpg

CO 2 emissions:158-160g/km