Skoda Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI 150 HP test, engine, driving and consumption (with video)

After telling you yesterday our first conclusions about its design and interior, today it is time to analyze in depth the behavior of this Skoda Octavia Estate. The engine chosen for the test is one of the most interesting to move this model and one of the most demanded by Skoda, Volkswagen, Seat or Audi customers. So testing this mechanics means testing one of the most important engines for the VAG Group.

It is the diesel engine 2.0 TDI by 150 CV, which offers its maximum power between 3.500-4.000 rpm. It has a maximum torque of 320 Nm with a wide range of use, which goes from 1.750 to 3.000 rpm. And all this, homologating an excellent combined consumption of 4,2 l/100 km, with low CO2 emissions of 110 g/km. Its official benefits reflect that the Octavia Combi With this motor it moves quite well, with a 0 to 100 km / h in 8,6 seconds and a top speed of 216 km / h.

The key is in your weight

To achieve these figures, this engine and the rest of those used in the Octavia receive the Green Tec name, made up of the Start-Stop system and the energy recovery system. In addition, another of the keys for the Octavia to obtain these records is its low weight of 1.347 kilos, based on the use of modern MQB platform of the group. After the theory, he touches the practice.

We start the engine, and the first impression to comment on is that neither vibrations nor excessive noise reach the passenger compartment; the cabin is well insulated, although its diesel nature is clearly noticeable from the outside. It is an engine that moves the Skoda smoothly in all kinds of situations, with a Quite forceful torque delivery from 1.800 laps and offering a great push until 4.000, a situation in which it is useless to continue accelerating, and it is convenient to engage one more gear.

Perhaps the only downside that can be put on the engine is the low area of the rev counter close to idle, in which it feels somewhat empty, although this "bad" can be extrapolated to most similar diesel mechanics on the market, largely due to having to pull such long developments. We will only notice this sensation when we leave almost standing (roundabouts, intersections) with long gears, in other situations the engine is tremendously capable.

The 6-speed manual gearbox that accompanies this engine has a good touch, pulling hard and has quite long developments, with which, however, the engine "deals" without problems in most cases, thanks to its wide range of utilization. With this engine, the Octavia accelerates and recovers very well, even with high gears, so overtaking and incorporation can be done with complete peace of mind. In short, the Octavia Combi feels very agile with this engine thanks to its great asset: lightness.

We start to circulate around the city. It is in this environment that we will most appreciate the Start-Stop, which works well. Also, if we strain our ears, we will notice how the energy recovery system works, that you take advantage of the retention phases when we circulate with a gear engaged without accelerating to charge the battery. It is not an annoying sound. The Octavia is not "daunted" in the city and is quite comfortable. Despite the fact that our unit had the optional sports suspension and low-profile tires, the car was comfortable, even passing the speed bumps on duty. The only but that we can put here is that, due to its size (4,66 m), finding a place will be more complicated.

Of course, once found, parking is easy, thanks to its good turning radius, its good visibility and the system Intelligent Park Distance (front and rear parking sensors), with which thanks to the sound signal and the image on the screen of the multimedia system we will know the distance we have with other cars or obstacles. It is a fully recommended optional element, since it is difficult to guess where the front bumper is. As standard, the tested Elegance version only has a rear parking sensor.

excellent wheeler

The behavior of the Octavia stands out for having a excellent ride comfort and for owning a neutral and predictable character in all kinds of situations. It is a car that inspires confidence when driving it.

We hit the open road, where the Octavia feels like a fish to water. As we have already mentioned, overtaking and recovering are exercises that the Skoda solves without problems. The car is presented as an excellent driver, also providing high comfort thanks to the ergonomics of its seats and the wonderful commitment of its suspensions, which despite having a sporty set-up in this unit, do not detract in the section of caring for their occupants. Also, the cabin is well soundproofed, so rolling and aerodynamic noises are conveniently contained.

address is accurate, and although it is not very informative of what happens on the asphalt, it takes the car quickly where we ask it, with adequate hardness. Demonstrated his good skills on the road and motorway, now it's time to climb the mountain...

Although it is not a car focused for sporty driving, his behavior taking him a little to the limit is quite satisfactory and respond above expectations. It is because of this good response that I personally did not miss the multi-link rear suspension mounted on Skoda models with engines of more than 150 hp. This Octavia uses two trailing arms connected by a torsion beam on the rear axle, a simpler and less effective scheme than the multi-link, but in this unit equipped with sports suspension it behaved excellently.

We hit winding roads and the Skoda doesn't break down at all, coming into corners with ease and no noticeable roll appearing; the car is very stable and hardly tilts. The brakes work well and have a nice feel. Surely the fact of equipping the sports suspension has helped, but there is really no doubt that the basic work carried out on the Octavia's chassis is what achieves this neutral and solvent behavior in all kinds of circumstances, giving the driver confidence.

Saver

Finally, we will talk about consumption, and it must be said that in this section the Octavia with the engine 2.0 TDI by 150 CV complies with note In the city, the car will be around an average consumption of around 6-6,5 liters, a good figure, in which the Start-Stop system helps a lot. Once on the road, circulating in general, we can achieve consumption below 5 liters, while on the highway, consumption will be between 5,2-5,5, without reaching 6 liters even if we print a higher rate. After seeing these figures, we can qualify the Skoda as a truly economical car, which will always maintain very good consumption around 5-6 liters although we vary our type of driving. Therefore, its low consumption is presented as one of its biggest purchase arguments.

You can find more information about the Skoda Octavia Combi TDI 150 hp in the part of exterior and interior design and in the analysis of price and equipment.