The "four" Octavia certainly does not need to be introduced too much, we all know her very well. A simple and unobtrusive design that looks good in a sporty design. Our test unit has a four-cylinder petrol engine that is mated to a DSG automatic gearbox. Let's take a look at her…
The beautiful red color of the paint, in combination with black glossy accessories and beautiful 19″ Altair wheels, underlines the overall predatory design, which in the gray of boring cars all around is quite eye-catching. Despite the fact that it is still the classic Octavia dozen , which are full everywhere. However, the liftback body variant with a sloping rear silhouette really succeeded, and the excellent LED Matrix headlights also deserve praise. Although they are not as good as in the Superb , they are certainly not to be thrown away. It sometimes happened that oncoming vehicles flashed, so the speed of turning off the segments will probably not be at the same level as in the Skoda flagship. It is a pity…
In the interior, we find black sports seats with contrasting stitching with red thread. They look very good, they fit comfortably, but they could be a little narrower and hold more in a turn. I understand the effort to be grateful even to drivers who have less excess weight and volume, but a person of ordinary clothing flies a little in them, despite the side guidance. The dashboard is covered in a small piece with stitched alcantara, which is a nice detail, but I would have liked more of it here. Also, don't expect any design fads here. Apart from the RS inscription on the present three-spoke steering wheel, there is nothing extra. A classic corporate kitchen presented with harder plastics and several better surfaces. For example, the suede padding inside the storage spaces is a great gadget against keys flying and banging in the door.
The ergonomics are decent and the position behind the wheel thanks to the wide adjustment of the steering wheel in both directions is also excellent. The simple "switch" selector of the automatic transmission is pleasant, does not take up space and is easy to handle. However, the classic option to throw the machine into manual mode by simply moving the lever to the side is missing. All with buttons or levers under the steering wheel. Another plus is the traditionally large trunk of the Octavia, which in the liftback version has a respectable 600/1555 liters and enough simplyclever storage spaces and hooks.
What I have to criticize a little more is infotainment. The system is quite complex and you have to do very basic operations such as deactivating the Stop-Start system, Line Assist and the like, over and over again every time you start, and especially in a few clicks. The driver's attention is somewhere over the horizon. As for the functions, I have no complaints. You will find everything you would expect and need here. AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly, a couple of USB-C connectors and Qi charging as well.
Two things get in the way the most when traveling like this: the eReSa is perhaps softer than before thanks to the DCC chassis, but it still has a rigid mounting of the chassis components, which contributes to steering precision and better feedback, but causes the transmission of noise and vibrations even on relatively quality asphalt. If you want it as a company car just for the prestige, keep in mind that it's not very refined at highway speeds. I also miss the option of combining a gasoline engine and 4×4 drive, for trips to the mountains in winter or for fun in the snow. You can only get it in conjunction with the diesel version, which is, however, much weaker in performance.
The engine itself is actually not bad, but not as "bloated" as I personally expected from a worn-out two-liter. Despite tightening emissions standards, the 2.0 TSI 'evo4' has the same 180kW (245bhp) and 370Nm at 1600-4300rpm as the previous model. Among other things, the new shape of the pistons and an increase in the injection pressure up to 350 bar contributed to this. The maximum speed of 250 km/h and the acceleration to 100 km/h in 6.8 s are solid, but on the other hand, the engine reacts to stepping on the gas with a noticeable delay, unless you have it revved to three thousand revolutions or more, and at the top, it lacks any gradation that would inspire you to by more frequent trips to the border of the red field of the tachometer. After all, the DSG doesn't really let go of the dial there anyway. However, the engine does its job and somehow meets the current standards, but it's probably difficult to say that you should rush to buy an Octavia RS 2.0 TSI because of the strong emotions from the dazzling drive. There are other machines for that…
But eReSa definitely knows how to turn and she enjoys it. The steering is definitely one of the best in this category. Steep, precise, it allows you to put the car into a curve with precision and confidence that any faster car could envy. eReSa simply goes where you point the steering wheel. The combination of serially mounted, electronically controlled front self-locking and excellently tuned kinematics pulls the car through a turn in a way that will work even the neck muscles. However, other emotions are killed by the slow transmission and engine reactions.
The equipment is rich and if there is one item in the additional equipment that is really indispensable, it is the DCC adaptive shock absorbers just mentioned. Without them, Octavia would be fine in the district, but in the city she would beat the soul out of you. It is the DCC chassis that makes the new eReSy a versatile machine.
The Octavia RS is a car that is extremely practical and comfortable for longer family trips, but it will also please the driver on roads full of twists and turns, where you can have a lot of fun behind the wheel. A car that is quite fast thanks to its powerful engine, but manages to drive with a long-term average of around seven liters per hundred. Simply a car that may not be a true sportsman, but it can fulfill many roles and also be sporty. The Golf GTi may be an icon, but the Octavia RS has a bigger boot and a lower price…
And the price is what bothers me the most about eReSe. I personally can't imagine paying over €40,000 for an Octavia… whatever its attributes, equipment, or engine. However, there is no arguing against taste, and if your heart longs for it and your budget is bursting at the seams – why not. It's a piece of good car.
