f you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be seriously weighing up a Skoda Octavia over a Volkswagen Golf, I’d probably have dismissed it out of hand. Like many enthusiasts, I grew up with the old jokes and assumptions about Skoda being the punchline brand—the one you bought because it was cheap, not because you actually wanted it.
But times have changed. Dramatically.
Skoda is now one of the sharpest players in the game. The current lineup is no longer the stripped-out, bargain-basement version of Volkswagen. In fact, it might just be the sweet spot of the entire VAG group. Same tried-and-tested platforms, same engine choices, and often the same interior tech, but with more space, clever practicality and less fuss. I’m now at a point where I would take an Octavia over a Golf without hesitation, and a Superb over a Passat every time.
When I was shopping around before settling on the Astra GSe, the Octavia was a genuine contender. With its sharp, clean lines, crisp detailing and understated confidence, it looks more refined than it has any right to at that price point. The cabin, too, is impressively put together. It may not scream luxury, but it is clean, well laid out and impressively solid. The infotainment system is the same as you’ll find in VW group siblings, with all the familiar digital controls, but the overall cabin experience is calmer, roomier and more geared toward real-life use.
What Skoda really excels at, though, is the details. Things like umbrellas built into the doors, an ice scraper tucked into the fuel cap, boot nets, reversible load floors, bag hooks, and simple user-friendly ergonomics. These aren’t headline features, but they add up. They make you feel like someone actually thought about how people use their cars day to day. And when you’re commuting long distances or ferrying kids around, that kind of design starts to matter a lot more than having brushed aluminium trim or configurable ambient lighting.
Performance-wise, Skodas might not feel the most thrilling, but they are incredibly capable. The Octavia vRS, for instance, shares its powertrain with the Golf GTI but delivers it with a bit more restraint and a lot more practicality. And when it comes to economy and long-distance comfort, it is hard to beat. The Superb takes that even further, offering near-luxury saloon levels of ride quality, rear legroom that rivals executive class cars, and a smooth, relaxing drive that just makes sense for big mileage drivers.
Perhaps the most surprising part is the shift in brand perception. Skoda is no longer the brand you settle for. It is now the brand you actively choose if you want honest, well engineered cars that do everything you need without trying to impress anyone else. I used to think of them as the rational choice. Now I think they are also the right one.
Had the dealer offer been just a little different, there’s a real chance I’d be writing this as an Octavia owner instead of an Astra GSe driver. And honestly, I don’t think I’d have regretted it.
