2021 Skoda Octavia vRS iV plug-in hybrid review - is it fast enough to be a hot hatch?

The 2021 Skoda Octavia vRS is available with a HUUUUGE variety of engines. Well, there's a petrol, a diesel and this - the plug-in hybrid. Does the Octavia vRS iV's 1.4-litre engine and electric motor combo give it enough punch to make it a hot hatch? Find out as I take you for a drive, a walkaround and a bit where I talk about flaps. Education.

[@simonshorty2]

Love your relaxed style of reviewing , its just the right amount of facts and a breath of fresh air from more formal ones 👍

[@stevejag7625]

First-time viewer of your channel. Your personality and the relaxed, fun but informative style is spot on. Got some very good information and a few laughs too. Subscribed and will check out more of your videos. Thanks!

[@mrwolf17]

Thanks, as somebody struggling to make a decision on my next car I found that useful.

[@chrisjgill75]

Great review. If I had a family and needed the space this would have to be top of the list

[@latuman]

Best review out there, talking about things that actually matter like how nitty gritty the battery usage can get and how does the performance work overall in a hybrid and what to expect in day to day drives.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks very much, appreciate it :)

[@globalste]

Good video, just so you know, the batteries are under the rear seats in Skodas, not the boot, the slight loss of boot space is due to extra wiring gubbins.

[@christopherwhite5540]

Very funny in the way to review cars and it’s very refreshing

[@N8KOW]

Great video and this is my next car (but in the estate)

[@DontPanicDear]

Was thinking........ Re the delay and lack of ‘Torque Fill’ from the electricities 🤔 I think the electric motor might be clutched into the ICE drivetrain, so normal gearbox lag still effects it. Given the motor location too, I think this is really likely. If the E-drive was direct to the wheels, I would expect the instant electric advantage. I love the thought that electric motors can add back immediate pedal response, removing throttle and gearbox lag. Adding the motor to the far side of the gearbox, is always going to be a cheap to implement interim step. Good if you like the E mode 40 mile range though 🤓

[@DontPanicDear]

Welcome to ‘21 from the future 🤓 It looks brilliant to me, even in FOC undercoat grey ✅

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

TRDS transcends the space-time continuum (or something)

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Before anyone asks why I had roof bars on the car - it's because Skoda kindly delivered the car with a GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE on the roof. Yes, I filmed this before Christmas. Would've been a bit weird to start 2021 with a new Christmas tree.

[@jordanstuart4580]

Crc

[@jakehero8619]

Awesome vid

[@JesPersson]

Will you be doing any long term reviews of the Octavia over the year?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Sorry for the late reply - I will be doing some, it should arrive in May. I need to do some videos on my current Mini Clubman JCW…

[@georgegoodman5363]

Cool car, like it alot, becuase the boot is big and it's nice to Jonny polar bear. Is the roof rack (bike) fitted as standard or are you biking?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It's got a roof rack because Skoda delivered it with a Christmas tree attached to it 😂

[@georgegoodman5363]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff ah ok so you haven't taken up biking it's just good for delivering Xmas trees. Cool if you come to norfolk a good dogging area to do your videos is Thetford Forest layby near Munford. 😃😄👌👈💪

[@janpruijser8649]

Lovely review! Why don't you review on Drive Tribe Tim? Would be nice to have some higher production value and a bigger audience.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks Jan! We try to use the main DT channel for things that are slightly more interesting than straightforward car reviews! I did review the Mini Electric with James May last year on there though

[@janpruijser8649]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff yeah I saw that and I think you nailed that. You should definitely do some more on that channel! (I also remember how positive all the comments were)

[@Sound1Swhat1Love]

Always driven audi a4 or vw passat. March i get to select a new car for work. It will be a skoda. Gorgeous cars!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

You’ll be very pleasantly surprised I think

[@tomberrisford6006]

Hi Tim hope all is well!. 👍👍

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I'm alive! Can't ask for more. Back atcha

[@jasondavies6220]

I can't afford one of these cars but it is interesting I have to stick with my modest 280 brake horsepower 2015 Skoda vRS want too do a swap

[@bryanduncan6178]

How did Skoda end up doing better interiors than VW?!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I know right?

[@timrodierides]

You should do a motorbike channel

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Real world q, if you actually use EV mode only (cos short commute, covid restrictions) and never use ice, petrol goes off after a a few months, so could you potentially be damaging your phev by not mashing the go pedal regularly enough? Glad you'd take the petrol version?

[@DontPanicDear]

Modern petrol lasts 3-6 months, so less of a worry 🤓 After that, it will drop off in performance gradually, before you get into any trouble. Eventually it will start to become corrosive, but only after a couple of years. The best thing to do with a hybrid, if you’re using it for short electric trips in lockdown, is to not worry about it. We’ll be mobile again by March and temps are low, which helps. Only use the petrol engine, if it’ll be on for long enough to warm up properly. Keep the tank brimmed right up to the filler cap, as less air means longer life. Do you have an iV / hybrid car? Mad Max was set in 2021, so if we are all out of petrol and eating dog food by summer, you’ll be sitting pretty 😀

[@pigeonpoo1823]

@@DontPanicDear thanks for that. I don't drive a phev, but was merely asking out of curiousity. Thanks again

[@tonyxavier96]

you are good!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

You are too (thanks!)

[@DontPanicDear]

I think I’d give the rear wiper a miss. No need for it with a screen raked like that 🤓 I always think they clutter the rear of a 911 too, and the rear screen clears once moving anyway. I didn’t notice this was a iV when I passed you on the A24 either 🤔

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Aha - I'm meant to be running an Octavia vRS this year. I need to spec it - petrol/diesel/hybrid and hatch/estate?

[@DontPanicDear]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff Oh nice! It’ll need to look good in a thumbnail, so that means red or blue I guess. (Unless the green comes back in time) Whatever options you thing might be interesting 🧐 Fancy lights and safety items for rear seat occupants. Leave off as many driver aides as possible. I’d go for a petrol, because it’s more fun. Hatch, as it’s bloody massive boot is more than enough for most. It’s also say, 6sp Man-Box, as every other review will be a DSG, which has been done to death in everything VAG. Personally, I’d rather that than the Mini you have now. What’s your current thinking, having tried a basic model and an iV? Edit : No rear wiper 🤓

[@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM]

How do you find such a good place to review cars. When I look to do it for the future there is no place that would be suitable

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It's a terrible place to review cars sadly - you don't see me spending half an hour filming in between trains, passing cars, angry locals and the odd randy cow

[@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff lol. i think what would be good is a bloopers video

[@DontPanicDear]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff Not to mention you rolling up, upsetting people’s outdoor car park sexy-times 😂

[@alechopkins6545]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff i reckon the randy cow would be a good laugh though 🤣

[@mattlyons2802]

Hang on - isn't 7 point something to 60 the same as every 2 litre VW / Audi / BMW? And this is the VRS? And about £35k? Looks nice tho.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Yup... It's not outstandingly fast

[@mattlyons2802]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff nor Skoda cheap / value for money

[@faisalleeds]

Glad that Skoda are finally getting this engine - but in the short term the petrol VRS is still a better option.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Agreed - I've got a petrol one coming for 6 months in May

[@moulidharanselvaraj349]

Mileage?

[@lupislune]

Ahhhhh, I love a good button! Also, we should be able to wireless charge cars like we do with phones.

[@barryseago7165]

Trailbraking??

[@TheJbsportstech]

No limit slip diff is a big issue at that price point

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Yes, it's annoying because you know in a year's time Skoda will bring out a performance edition and stick the VAQ diff on it…

[@TheJbsportstech]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff I have a late mode 245 mk3.5 and would not have bought without the vaq diff, also the adaptive dampers are a rare option and if I want a mk4 with those it’s a full year build!

[@kretccx]

Drag race with Your hypermotard?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Sadly I'm missing a handy runway and a Birmingham accent

[@kretccx]

'Golf gti with two or three condoms on' lol.

[@nielsvandenkieboom5034]

Subscribed for the joke about nobody watching your videos. How ironic.

[@Shithappenswhenu]

Golf GTI..., with 2 or 3 condoms on! !😂😂😂

[@lewisratford2908]

Hmm it’s kind of like 50/50 bread...for me it’s the worst of both worlds...but for others they like it. I think we can still enjoy our full petrol white bread. Mmm sandwich time

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I set fire to a slice of 50/50 bread in my toaster today - true story

[@jakehero8619]

Really funny

[@eastwoodcars1014]

Why does everyone call it an "Octarrrrrvia" ? pmsl

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It’s just how Skoda says it, I guess. Pysl

[@eastwoodcars1014]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff In the UK it's Octayyyyyvia.......always has been....... still pissing myself laughing