Being drafted by the NZ Police as its top choice of vehicle has thrust Skoda into a raft of fleet conversations that the Czech manufacturer might not have been part of previously.
Simultaneously compounding this is a fresh thirst for low-emissions options.
Although most of the focus is on fully electric cars, plug-in hybrids have begun carving out a niche among clients wanting potentially EV-rivalling emissions and cost-to-run values, but who want to dodge the range anxiety boogieman.
Volkswagen Group-owned Skoda has gone quickly from offering no electrified models, to offering plug-in hybrid Octavias and Superbs.
A fully electric option is just around the corner, too, with the first factory- owned Enyaq iV EVs arriving in the country.
Our test car, the Octavia iV, is Skoda’s most affordable electrified model.
THE NUMBERS
The Octavia PHEV comes in two flavours: the entry-level $65,990 Style and the performance orientated $72,990 RS that’s pictured.
There’s no sedan option, with the Octavia iV exclusively sold in New Zealand as a wagon.
Relative to the pure combustion versions, the Octavia’s iV models come at a premium of $16,000 and $14,000, respectively.
The Government’s Clean Car rebate takes a handy $5750 bite out of each price, effectively meaning the Octavia iV can be yours for as little as $60k.
The Style iV’s 1.4-litre engine produces 150kW/350Nm, a generous 40kW/100Nm more than the standard variant.
Making use of the same electrified 1.4-litre base, the RS iV sends 180kW/400Nm to the front wheels, equalling the ordinary RS for power but bettering it for torque by 30Nm.
It uses a 13kWh lithium-ion battery, with Skoda quoting an electric range of up to 60km per charge.
That’s more than enough for most Kiwis to drive to and from work, charging overnight, without using a drop of ever so expensive petrol.
In real-world driving, we estimated range is likely to settle around 45km. That’s still a competitive figure, in spite of being short of the brand’s claims.
INSIDE
Though Skoda is widely considered one of Volkswagen Group’s entry level marques, the opinion is becoming betrayed increasingly by the improving quality of its interiors.
Each panel of the Octavia’s minimalist, handsome cockpit feels solidly bolted together.
It’s loaded with neat touches, helping to shed further Skoda’s reputation for the utilitarian.
The metallic scroll-wheels on the steering wheel, the contrast stitching, the suede panelling – the little things add up, giving the Octavia a proper premium feel.
Room is generous. The Octavia’s vast wheelbase means the second row can accommodate two adults easily, three at a pinch.
The wagon proportions result in a sizeable 490 litre boot with a gaping square opening and electric tailgate.
The central hub of the Skoda’s cabin is its 10-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital cluster, standard across both grades.
The former incorporates wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In our experience it was straightforward to configure, and markedly less buggy than similar tech in other Volkswagen products.
The Skoda also bypasses Volkswagen’s recent push for haptic feedback, touch sensitive buttons on its steering wheels and climate controls. Instead, the Skoda uses tried and true buttons, and is all the better for it.
Differences inside between the Style and RS are surprisingly few in terms of spec.
The RS swaps a silver dash trim for carbon-look, adding red stitching and bucket seats.
Both get wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and oodles more.
And yes, Skoda still throws in a helpful umbrella, mounted in a cavity of the driver’s door.
THE DRIVE
Our time with the RS included taking it out of Auckland on a lengthy road trip. Not exactly the ideal backdrop to test a plug-in hybrid’s electrified smarts, but a good start when it comes to rating the Octavia RS’s sporting capabilities.
The RS is effectively the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s cousin. It’s built on the same platform, and features similarly sporty chassis tuning. The powertrain may differ slightly in the RS iV, but it puts down power with similar enthusiastic aplomb.
Although it has more torque than the standard RS, it’s also more than 100kg heavier.
As such it’s a smidge slower to 100km/h, surpassing the mark in 7.0 seconds. Without driving the two models back-to-back, the iV’s theoretical performance deficits are difficult to discern.
It still feels eager thanks to its willingness to explore the redline and the six-speed dual clutch’s slick shifts.
It’s perhaps not as sharp as the GTI and other hot hatches because of its weight, but people seeking the practicality aspect are unlikely to care.
SAFETY
The Octavia iV comes packed with safety kit. New Zealand’s models are well spec’d, with both the Style and RS getting autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors front and rear. It has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
The RS gets a couple of interesting add-ons to its safety spec. One is its variable sports steering system, and the other is a front centre interaction airbag.
In a crash this inflates to mitigate the chance of a head knock between front occupants.
OUR VIEW
The Octavia iV is a successful exercise in having your cake and eating it too.
Though there might be more pointed performance cars and there might be more practical SUVs in this price range, few wed the concepts of agility and space as effectively.
Throw in the model’s plug-in hybrid aspects and electric range, and you get a proper Jekyll and Hyde vehicle worthy of more than just a second look.
