Skoda Octavia vRS iV PHEV Review

By Ginny Buckley - Motoring Correspondent

10th Nov 2021 | Reviews


The Octavia vRS is a great all-rounder, especially in estate form.
The Octavia vRS is a great all-rounder, especially in estate form.

Performance car fans know that the Octavia vRS is a car you shouldn't underestimate. For years, it's offered VW Golf GTI performance in a more practical body shape - with a lower price tag. But now the vRS has shifted up a gear with this plug-in hybrid version.

The iV version of the vRS uses a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 113bhp electric motor and a 13kWh battery. The power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and in the Skoda total power is a pretty pokey 242bhp.

Of course, if you're opting for the iV over the standard petrol or diesel vRS then you'll want to know the electric numbers. The car's pure-electric range is up to 39 miles and a full top-up takes around three and a half hours with a 7kW home wallbox charger.

At a quick glance, the iV looks just like its petrol and diesel siblings with 19-inch alloys, black exterior trim and deep bumpers. But the iV actually sits 15mm taller than the other vRS models which gives it a strange, standing on its tippy-toes look.

More worryingly, the iV doesn't have any chassis changes over a standard Octavia - unlike the petrol and diesel vRSs. It means it doesn't handle as well as the petrol or diesel while not being as smooth riding as a standard hybrid Octavia.

There's a compromise when it comes to carrying stuff, too. The battery pack eats into the load area – and we're not talking slightly either.

It's running costs where the vRS iV can really make sense though. Skoda claims up to 235mpg and 39 miles of pure electric range; in the real world, with regular charge ups, 70mpg is more realistic as is between 25 and 30 miles of electric. Those figures could equate to a massive saving if you're a company car driver, purely due to the company car tax figures.

The vRS iV is a good allrounder but lacks the sporting drive of the petrol and diesel vRS models, we can't help but feel you're getting all the looks but not all the go. A standard Octavia iV makes a bit more sense to us.

You can read more motoring advice from Ginny Buckley on the website: electrifying.com

Share:

Related Articles

Not only does the EQS redefine the luxury electric car, but it shows an exciting new direction for Mercedes.
Reviews

Mercedes EQS Review

The charger was revealed by Transport Minister Grant Shapps
Reviews

Government reveals new 'iconic' charge point

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide godalming with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.