2.0 TDI CR L&K

Roomy, comfortable, economical

Real world figures for economy over 9000 miles from new approx 47 mpg using brimming tank method (computer says 50.0). Best figure on run Cardiff-York 57 mpg (computer said 60.5) at average speed of almost 60 mph.
Incidentally, my fuel economy figures for the Passat I owned previousy were only marginally worse than for this Octavia, and the 2008 BMW 320d and a 2006 2.0 TDI PD Octavia L&K that came earlier showed virtually identical overall economy figures to the present Octavia.
No faults in first year despite one accident in dreadful 2010-2011 winter conditions principally due to frozen windscreen washers causing zero visibility when salty icy spray obscured the windscreen.
Car is roomy and comfortable, accomodates my 6 ft 3 in with ease. Plenty of boot room, useful fixing points too. Spare wheel not provided as standard but I ordered one as an extra, emergency use only.
Performance is more than adequate, extremely flexible torquey diesel engine needing minimal gearchages. Engine quiet once warm and car is moving; gearbox light and positive with very relaxing ratios. Third gear excellent for overtaking, will pull briskly from 20 mph to 80 if required with no fuss and minimum noise. Brakes very good, assisted by ABS. In icy conditions the car is much, much better than rear wheel drive marques but much inferior to 4X4s and not as good as lighter, smaller front wheel drive cars despite the sophisticated anti-skid sytems (or with them switched off).
Handling is good rather than exceptional, with just a suspicion of weighty front end. Ride rather jiggly, possibly due to low profile tyres fitted on L&K version; these might also account for above average road noise (but not disastrously so) and suspension noise. Better insulation from the road would be high on my (short) list for improvements.
Lots of goodies as standard on this model but not satnav.
Bolero radio is excellent, but no DAB. Speaker system also excellent, and SD card slot very convenient. Touch screen on radio also displays rear parking info when reverse selected and temporarily shows any adjustments made to e.g aircon settings.
Overall the car represents very good value (especially with a "no VAT" deal). Would seriously consider another (new 2013 model looks interesting!)

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