Skoda Octavia II 2004 test drive - 2008 -

Dear friends

Perhaps not a single global car concern has such internal competition as in VW Group. In the sense that units included in the concern produce very similar cars for the same markets. As a result, Audi competes with Volkswagen, and Seat with Skoda.
 

And all the ideas of the gentlemen of Pikha and the writer, who suggested the division of related brands of the concern into sports and classic, as well as luxury and affordable, turned out to be more interesting to journalists than end consumers

 

However, we love the special interest in journalists to compare special interests. We have on the test of the creations of one concern, created using the same nodes and assemblies, the same interior details, it seems, only in names, numbers in prises and positioning. Is the difference between the new Jetta (the name of the new - according to the recommendations of the manufacturer is the name of the masculine) and Skoda Octavia, which reflected on the price, will also crept into the impressions of the trip on each of the cars?
 

On the paper. Before
Octavia and Jetta names are approximately equally respected with us. True, respect is the merit of the sooner days, since the tested versions have yet to earn their own glory. Jetta is generally only a few months sold in Russia, and the new generation of Octavia, although it is found on our streets, is undoubtedly inferior to its predecessor, still standing on the conveyor.

 

What prevents competitors from being sales leaders now, because the middle class sedans have always been very popular with us? Since the advantages of Skoda and VW are undoubtedly not deprived of other advantages and reliability in Russia, the relatively modest market results of both cars should be explained primarily by biting prices.

 

Judge for yourself: the most inexpensive sedan of class with Volkswagen costs from us near $ 24,000. And Octavia News is about $ 20,000, but with a frankly non -impressive 1.4 liter engine (75 hp). All Japanese of this class are more affordable, there is no need to talk about Koreans and even other Europeans are even a little, but cheaper. On our test, cars are similar in prices, slightly different from the simplest. The test jetta costs $ 25,000 1.6 liter engine, the air conditioner is replaced by Octavia climate control, also with a 1.6 engine, mechanics and a similar set of additional options, costs $ 23,000.
 

Outside and inside
A little more than a month ago, we compared Volkwagen Golf and updated Mazda3. Then the latter seemed to us a stronghold of avant -garde, and the car, which gave the name to the whole class of machines, is a clear representative of the classical direction in design. And now we have VW Jetta, which, by and large, is nothing more than a sedan based on a regular Golf, scrupulously adopting the external zest of the closest relative. And what? In comparison with him, Octavia seems much more strict and correct if the last word means the simplicity and straightforwardness of forms and details. We can say that Octavia will be closer to the driver, inexperienced pathos of premium brands. And Jetta seems more serious and with claims. And outside they will see that it is in the Germans that something more progressive and technological should be hidden

 

But in fact, almost complete identity. The similarity of the interiors Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Jetta seems to be in everything: from floor pedals of gas to ashtray. Different only the rudders and knobs of the gearbox lever. The air conditioning control panels are slightly different, but it is already difficult to operate on words better and worse. In both cars, an impeccable finish is pleased, the chairs are very good and you and there are comfortable there, you don’t slip out on the turns and your back does not hurt after a few hours. Strange, but Octavia visually gives the impression of a more spacious car. It is strange because impassive numbers indicate some advantage of Jetta in dimensions. True, it is completely symbolic, millimeter, which means that the sensation created can be attributed to the proportions of the main elements of the cabin, the greater angularity of Skoda, or, in the end, on the deception of vision.
 

On the road
That's when the main differences are manifested: everything turns out immediately as soon as he got into the driver's chair and started the engine. And when I pressed the gas

Jetta works quieter probably, it is a merit of sound insulation. Moreover, at idle, the difference is practically not heard, but it is worth putting pressure on the gas and in Skoda you can hear how the adhesion process occurs. The difference is especially felt at the time of start and gear shift: VW (not in vain jetta masculine) generously forgives some negligence and inaccuration, quietly smoothing the start, and Octavia is whimsiaidly twitched, if you allow itself to casually handle the left and right pedals. Even in Jetta, what Golf distinguished in the paired test of the past wheel numbers: a sense of a harmonious and holistic car. It’s like with expensive, high -quality shoes: she takes the shape of a leg, and immediately doesn’t press anywhere, God forbid! In the case of the car: he completely becomes a controlled driver: one can say, one whole. Skoda is not that worse just to get used to and merge with Octavia, it takes more time

 

If you turn off ASR, the behavior of any of the machines becomes unusually tough and even seems dangerous at high speed. Not sure not disconnect! The power of 1.6-liter engines is the same both in the nominal 102 horses and in the driver's sensations: both motors are moderately drivers. More precisely, both of the eyes have enough traction on the bottoms and medium (very convenient for sharp rebuilding), but it clearly lacks energy at the upper speeds of the crankshaft should be careful
 

On the paper. After
Time to summarize. Jetta liked significantly greater acoustic and tangible comfort. The advantage of the Czech is that he is not inferior to the highest in price rank to the Germans in the main criteria like handling, dynamics or interior design, and costs approximately $ 2,000 less. More car for the same money is about Octavia. And about jetta: when the quality goes into quantity so, there is something to think about!
 
Volkswagen Jetta

The base Volkswagen Jetta with a 1.6-liter 102-horsepower engine in the Trendline configuration costs $ 22,909. The car is already equipped with air conditioning and an electric packet. The same version, but with an automatic gearbox for $ 2,322 more expensive. For models with a 2.0 -liter FSI engine, the minimum price is $ 28 901, and diesel versions 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI are worth $ 27,049, respectively, and from $ 30 206.


 

Cars are provided by Skoda and Volkvagen-Pulkovo Auto Center, Skoda and Volkswagen official dealers in St. Petersburg
 
Text: Alexander Korobchenko, Philip Berezen
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 108/2006]