Quote:
Originally Posted by adimicra Guys,
Need some help in deciding to go for the Octavia or not.
I was initially planning to go for a mid-size SUV/Crossover like the Creta or Seltos. However, I think both these cars are highly overpriced for the segment they belong to (I am interested in the higher price variants).
So, I decided to look a segment higher for cars like the Octavia, Tuscon etc.
The main reason I was going for a SUV instead of a sedan is due to the Ground clearance for tacking our terrible roads and the confidence to go for outstation trips where I am not sure about the road condition.
I would like to know how the Octavia fares in this aspect and how is the seating comfort for long journeys. I know it cant match a SUV in terms of GC but what is the feedback based on the real-life experience.
Secondly, I am getting a cool 1.5Lakhs off on the price (1.4TSI Style manual) which makes it almost similarly priced to the Kia Seltos 1.4 GTX+. I just feel the Octavia is way more premium than the Seltos. ALso, Skoda is offering 6 years warranty which sounds reassuring.
ALso, if you have any feedback about the Skoda dealer in Hyderabad (Mahavir Auto), please share the same. |
Hi. Now, I've got a 1.8 TSI L&K so my inputs about the engine and drive would come from that background - and therefore I won't go into those. However, on the rest of the queries, I believe I'll be able to give decent feedback:
1. The cars in the market today are tremendously overpriced given what they offer. I'm looking for a replacement for my City and have literally gone up to evaluating the luxury vehicles, having originally started off looking for something <INR 30L! That's how horrid the selection on offer seems to be
2. The Octavia has a stated GC of just 158 mm but for those accustomed to Korean / Japanese numbers, this is misleading. The car is much better at handling bumps than the likes of the City etc. and handles most city roads - in Mumbai, and therefore appalling quality - with aplomb. It won't clear boulders of course, but you don't have to handle it like you're dealing with grenades. As I posted in my ownership review, our TD involved taking a fully-loaded Octavia (5 adult passengers + a child) over a speed-breaker at 40 odd kmh and there was no scrape.
Edit to add: This is because they state the GC as the height of the lowest part of the body as opposed to Japanese / Korean makers who state it as the height of a specific central part of the car - which may not be the lowest; also the suspension setup makes a difference, of course.
3. If you're expecting to drive with SUV-like alacrity, this is obviously not the car for you, but it's built like a tank and handles urban roads exceedingly well.
4.
Seating comfort (Front) - the 1.8 TSI L&K has all the seat adjustments you could want for the front seats - and is very comfortable indeed. Compared to my Hexa (exceptional comfort in its own right) and the Crysta, I'd pick this with ease and without second thoughts. Again, I'd also pick it over any other sedan of lower categories. Very nice feel. I have driven for 6 hours straight without a break and not felt any discomfort. The comfort here holds for both front seat passengers as the adjustments are on both seats.
I don't know if this is all available on the 1.4 however, so please check it out personally. Driver seat comfort is a very deeply personal point.
5.
Seating comfort (Rear) - The car doesn't have reclining rear seats and doesn't have rear climate control either (vents only). Also, there is now the personal question. I like my seats more upright as reclines cause me lower-back stiffness over long drives. That said, the rear bench is more upright than several other cars and people who like more of a recline could find this less comfortable. My wife, for instance, prefers the Hexa's (pilot seat config) rear seats by far over the Octavia. I prefer the Octavia however.
Again, deeply personal.
6.
When you have more passengers - The central hump is pronounced in the Octavia so if you are going to have 3 rear-seat passenger frequently and for extended rides, this will be an issue.
7.
18 months into ownership and I have no adverse remarks about the car or service / after-sales experience yet. Advice:
1. Take a Test Drive of your preferred variant - and take it over tough-ish terrain to judge how you like the ride, handling and comfort.
2. If you're going to travel with family / colleagues for the most part, assess the car with the expected load inside it
3.
Try out the 1.8 TSI DSG as well; if you can stretch your budget, the additional features and the brilliant drive quality are well worth it (in my opinion, of course) Note: I would stay away from BS4 diesels personally, regardless of discounts; the loss of life after BS6 is not worth any amount of money, in my opinion + the gamble you take on random court rulings that may come in future given the absence of firm, set-in-stone policies for the sector.