To describe a car as a family car can mean a lot of things. A car aimed for families has to handle a multitude of tasks, whether that’s school runs, long-distance road trips or commutes, while it also needs to be reliable, affordable and durable.
There are plenty of vehicles that fall into the family car category, but the ŠKODA Octavia stands out as one of the very best.
Here’s why we think the Octavia is one of the best family cars on sale.
It’s got a huge boot
A practical boot is a must for most families, and the Octavia’s certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Whether it’s having enough room to carry a pram in the boot or having the space to accommodate your child’s university luggage, the Octavia will have plenty of room in the rear. The hatchback has a huge 590 litres – over 200 litres more than some of its rivals – while the roomier estate variant can provide 610 litres.
Rear-seat passengers will also find an excellent amount of headroom and legroom, too.
It’s great value for money
ŠKODA’s mantra has long been affordability without compromise, and the Octavia remains true to this policy.
Offering more practicality than you would find in its key rival – the Volkswagen Golf – but at a lower price, the Octavia is one of the few cars on sale nowadays you can honestly class as a bargain. On-the-road prices start from just £17,800 for the hatchback and £19,000 for an estate, which is a lot of bang for your buck.
Find local ŠKODA Octavia Prices
There’s a variety of trim levels to choose from
All families’ needs and wants are different, so whether you’re looking for an Octavia with the basics or laden with premium equipment, there’s a model for you.
Entry-level ‘S’ comes with the basics – such as 16-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, an eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth and air conditioning. SE is the fleet-based model and adds front fog lights, cruise control and rear parking sensors. SE L adds safety kit – such as autonomous emergency braking, high beam assist and automatic wipers, as well as satellite navigation.
Laurin & Klement (named after Skoda’s founders) is the luxurious one, with features such as heated front seats, park assist, keyless entry and start plus adaptive cruise control.
The vRS model exists for those wanting a sporty family car
It’s a common misconception that family cars have to be dull and unexciting to drive, but ŠKODA is on hand with its vRS versions to prove those claims wrong. These sporty models are available across petrol and diesel powertrains, with the fastest able to accelerate from 0-60mph in an impressive 6.4 seconds.
You can have it as a 4x4
If you’re a ‘lifestyle’ family that likes to be out in the elements or off the beaten track, ŠKODA offers a 'Scout’ Octavia for you.
As well as being far cheaper than other similarly sized four-wheel-drive (4WD) estate cars – the Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo V60 Cross Country, for example – the Octavia Scout also works as an impressive tow car, thanks to the extra traction provided by the 4WD system. Underbody protection and an electronic differential lock also feature to provide more traction on the muddy stuff.
It’s built to last
While ŠKODA has undoubtedly taken a no-nonsense approach when it comes to the Octavia, it doesn’t mean that the Czech brand has compromised on quality.
It’s simple to operate, is made from durable materials and plastics, with plenty of soft-touch elements throughout the cabin. All models also come with a leather steering wheel, even on entry-level versions, which is a nice upmarket touch. It’s a car that’s designed to handle the torments of family life.
The connectivity it offers is impressive
All models – even the base-spec S cars – come laden with connectivity features. The eight-inch touchscreen is not only a doddle to operate, but it also features Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, making it the ideal model for connected families.
ŠKODA really has thought of everything
ŠKODA’s motto is ‘Simply Clever’ and it very much sticks to this with the Octavia. Small touches, such as an air-conditioned glovebox, huge door pockets, an umbrella under the passenger seat and a removable LED torch, are all small things that show ŠKODA cares about making the Octavia as easy to live with as possible – particularly for families.
