Skoda Octavia vRS 245 DSG 2017 review

The vRS was already the Octavia most comfortable in its own skin, even in quad-light facelifted form. You’d be hard-pressed to call the car lairy, but this no doubt adds to its appeal among buyers after a more discreet choice.

The story is much the same inside, where a familiar Volkswagen Group dashboard and buttons are functional and smart, while the infotainment touchscreen, complete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and touch-sensitive buttons, is responsive, quick loading and of pleasingly high definition. It remains the segment’s easiest-to-use system. What sets the 245 apart, however, are those front chairs, which contrast the mature cabin with their more racy, youthful design. In the 245, they’re heated and the driver gets memory foam – a big win for those often faced with long journeys.

Start the motor up and, in Normal mode, the car takes the form of an effortless cruiser with a start/stop system that, if you leave it on, is so active that it switches the engine off before you’re completely stopped. Venture onto the motorway and the strong mid-range grunt, headed by 273lb ft of torque that’s available from just 1600rpm, makes for rolling acceleration that feels far stronger than the numbers suggest. Few four-cylinder engines can match the tractability of Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre TSI. It quietens down when cruising as well, but this leaves you to focus on the ever-present tyre noise generated by the car’s 225-width Pirelli P Zero boots.

Our car is equipped with a seven-speed DSG gearbox, which is a £1390 option that's unique to the 245 because the regular vRS has to make do with its old six-cog predecessor. Left to its own devices, it responds well to throttle changes and kicks down swiftly. Switch the driveline to Sport mode and the car goes through a transformation. The engine note deepens, the steering weights up and the throttle becomes more responsive. The DSG 'box also hangs onto gears for longer, keeping the crank spinning within easy reach of 5000rpm, where peak power lives.

There are no changes to the way the car rides, however, with no standard-fit adaptive dampers to influence body roll here. As such, the car remains fidgety over road imperfections and crashy over larger bumps. Really press on, and this is surpassed by a loafy feeling, with the structure struggling to stay hunkered down over crests and traction at the front hindered as a result – although drive out of corners is vastly improved with the car’s electronic differential, which imitates a mechanical system by braking the slipping wheel.

No. At least not one in this spec, anyway. It's by no means bad, but if you want the best Octavia vRS 245 experience, make sure you tick the option box for the DCC suspension. Without it, the car can’t quite make its mind up as to what it wants to be. With it, you’re offered a wide window of options that are able to satisfy those after comfort and those wanting poise. And since most of these will be sold through PCP deals, the added premium will equate to an extra pint of overpriced craft beer (should that be your thing) a week. So it’s easily justifiable - and a real surprise that more people haven't ticked the DCC box.

Whether you should opt for a 245 over rivals such as its group stablemate, the Golf GTI Performance, or models such as the Ford Focus ST, will be based entirely on preference. If you rank value for money, practicality and point-to-point pace above all else, you need look no further. If you’re after a more engaging package, the vRS can’t quite challenge for class honours.

Skoda Octavia vRS 245 DSG

Location Surrey; On sale Now; Price £28,985; Engine 4 cyls, 1968cc, turbo, petrol; Power 242bhp at 5000rpm; Torque 273lb ft at 1600rpm; Kerb weight 1390kg; Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch automatic; 0-62mph 6.4sec; Top speed 155mph; Economy 44.1mpg (combined); CO2/tax band 146g/km, 28%; Rivals Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST, Seat Leon Cupra