Motoring 60

handy cubbyholes and pockets for storing the necessary odds and ends that you carry and I quite like the sunglass holders, in the rear of the vehicle there are generous pockets on the back of the seats and there is a good size container on both doors, in fact a water bottle will actually fit.

My particular test car came equipped with a 2-litre TDi 150PS engine and this was driving a 7-speed infamous VAG DSG gearbox which for those who have experienced it is an absolute delight. You put it into drive and it seems to sense every single situation and opportunity and never failed or let me down.

Standard equipment on all SE L models is very extensive, 17” alloy wheels, 8-speaker sound system, adaptive cruise control, a wonderful Satellite Navigation system with a 10” touchscreen, safety’s not been overlooked with a driver knee airbag, in addition to an awful lot of other air bags. To assist with a vehicle of this size there are front and rear parking sensors.

The performance of the vehicle was always of a reassuring and able companion, the maximum speed is quoted at 138mph and the 0-60 gallop for a vehicle of this size is a commendable 8.8 seconds. A combined fuel figure is given in the region of 54mpg, in my ownership period with the Skoda my computer told me I had achieved 46 mpg.

The on the road price of the Skoda Octavia SE L. Estate is given as £29,975.

Our Motoring