Skoda Octavia vRS hatchback - Interior & comfort (2013-2021)

As with most modern Skoda cars, there’s not much to complain about in terms of interior quality, which is excellent throughout the Skoda Octavia vRS. A few materials in out-of-the-way places are not quite as smart as the Volkswagen Golf’s, but the quality gap is small, and the most recent update decreased it still further. The Octavia vRS also gets sporty details to separate it from cheaper models in the range.

A comfortable interior makes the Octavia a great choice for high-mileage drivers. There’s a big range of seat and steering-wheel adjustment, so it’s easy to find a good driving position, while the standard sports seats are very supportive. The Alcantara sets fitted in the Challenge version are particularly attractive, and help add to the motorsport feel of the otherwise conservative interior.

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The vRS gets 18-inch alloy wheels as standard and 19-inch alloy wheels as an option. The Challenge special edition gets the bigger wheels as standard. The 19-inch wheels make the car jolt over bumps that would be less noticeable with the smaller wheels, and they also increase the amount of tyre roar.

Skoda Octavia vRS dashboard

With a modern and very smart dash, the inside of the Octavia is an enjoyable place to be. All of the switchgear is modern and intuitive to use, while the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is great. Large, clear dials and smart trim inlays finish off a really pleasing-looking dashboard.

Equipment

All vRS models are well-equipped. Outside, they get bright xenon headlights and LED tail-lights, while 18-inch alloys and 15mm lower sports suspension give them a sporty stance on the road. Inside, the vRS has sports seats with a choice of red or grey seams.

The multifunction steering wheel has buttons to control the stereo and telephone functions, and there’s also cruise control. Better still, stainless-steel pedals and smart trim inlays give the vRS an upmarket feel. DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity are also standard equipment.

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Sat nav is provided, too, with an easy-to-use eight-inch touchscreen that displays clear mapping. There’s the option of a 9.2-inch Columbus infotainment system with pinch-to-zoom gesture recognition, too. However, while the latter is a great-looking system, we found it a little unintuitive; it could do with a few more physical buttons for easier use when the car is moving.

Options

Inside the vRS, you can add luxury items like an electric sunroof, a keyless entry and start system, heated seats and full leather upholstery. As with the rest of the Octavia range, you can also specify neat features such as a small umbrella that stows in a compartment under the front passenger seat and an iPad holder that attaches to the back of the front headrest. A wireless phone charging system, called Phonebox, is also available. It allows you to drop your compatible smartphone in a cubby in the centre console, and as well as charging your phone, it'll wirelessly connect your phone to the car's aerial which boosts phone and data signals.

For around £450 you can also add Skoda's Virtual Cockpit, replacing the traditional instrument cluster with a TFT screen capable of showing five different graphical layouts. This can even include route guidance, making it easier to spot the next turn.

Opt for the Skoda Octavia vRS Challenge edition and 19-inch alloy wheels, black exterior trim (including the door mirrors, tailpipes and badges), Alcantara sports seats, keyless entry and Dynamic Chassis Control are all added for about half of the cost of ticking each option box separately when buying the standard model.