Photo: Skoda
If you're looking to buy a family or fleet car that's cheap yet relatively nippy, you could do a lot worse than the 2017 Skoda Octavia with the new 1.5 TSI.
This new engine has just become available, but it doesn't completely replace the 1.4 TSI predecessor, which is still available on the base trim level of the Octavia. Despite this, it produces the same 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque from 1,500rpm.
Of course, it's designed to lower fuel consumption in the real world and have a better response time. But you probably won't feel much of a difference. The regular Octavia sedan with the 1.5 TSI gets to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 219 km/h (136 mph). That just happens to be the top speed of the 1.4 TSI model, which was actually 0.1 of a second faster.
The newer 1.5 TSI also comes standard with an Active Cylinder Management (ACT) system, just like in the Golf. It works by shutting down the two middle cylinders under light loads.
So how does that impact fuel consumption? Well. The versions with a 6-speed manual and those with a 7-speed DSG both get 4.9 l/100km combined (47.7 UK mpg), equivalent to 113/114 grams per kilometer of CO2. The old 1.4 TSI average 5.2 liters per 100 km and emitted 121 grams with a stick. So it seems like the aim of the larger engine is better fuel economy.
Skoda has already opened the order books for the Octavia 1.5 TSI in Europe. Of course, how much you pay depends on where you live. For example, in the United Kingdom, prices start from £19,830 ($25,728) for the SE Hatch, and £24,315 ($31,547) for the SE L Estate.
In Germany, the 1.5 TSI will set you back 24,030 euros as a 6-speed manual hatchback. Opting for the DSG increases the sticker to 25,830 euros. The more practical Combi body is another 700 euros on top.
So is it worth upgrading from the old Octavia 1.4 TSI? Probably not. They have widened the rear track for better handling, but anything below 180 horsepower still comes with a rigid rear axle.
Of course, it's designed to lower fuel consumption in the real world and have a better response time. But you probably won't feel much of a difference. The regular Octavia sedan with the 1.5 TSI gets to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 219 km/h (136 mph). That just happens to be the top speed of the 1.4 TSI model, which was actually 0.1 of a second faster.
The newer 1.5 TSI also comes standard with an Active Cylinder Management (ACT) system, just like in the Golf. It works by shutting down the two middle cylinders under light loads.
So how does that impact fuel consumption? Well. The versions with a 6-speed manual and those with a 7-speed DSG both get 4.9 l/100km combined (47.7 UK mpg), equivalent to 113/114 grams per kilometer of CO2. The old 1.4 TSI average 5.2 liters per 100 km and emitted 121 grams with a stick. So it seems like the aim of the larger engine is better fuel economy.
Skoda has already opened the order books for the Octavia 1.5 TSI in Europe. Of course, how much you pay depends on where you live. For example, in the United Kingdom, prices start from £19,830 ($25,728) for the SE Hatch, and £24,315 ($31,547) for the SE L Estate.
In Germany, the 1.5 TSI will set you back 24,030 euros as a 6-speed manual hatchback. Opting for the DSG increases the sticker to 25,830 euros. The more practical Combi body is another 700 euros on top.
So is it worth upgrading from the old Octavia 1.4 TSI? Probably not. They have widened the rear track for better handling, but anything below 180 horsepower still comes with a rigid rear axle.
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