Skoda Octavia vRS iV Estate 2021 review - Brilliant Czech or what the heck? / Electrifying

Read our full review of the Octavia vRS iV here: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
Performance car fans know that the Octavia vRS is a car you shouldn't underestimate. For years, it's offered VW Golf GTI performance in a more practical body shape and with a lower price tag. But now the vRS's practical qualities have shifted up a gear with the launch of this - the plug-in hybrid version.
The Octavia vRS iV offers much of what the VW Golf GTE already does, but while the GTE likes to shout about its eco character, the vRS iV looks like any other petrol or diesel vRS - it's essentially a vRS that just happens to have plug-in hybrid power.
Just like the GTE (and the Cupra Leon E-HYBRID), the iV gets a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and a 13kWh battery. The car's pure-electric range is 33 miles and it falls into the 11% BiK company car tax bracket (which is significantly lower than the petrol and diesel vRS models) thanks to its 27g/km CO2 output, and yet it still has a very healthy 242bhp.
So, is plug-in hybrid power a step too far for the traditionally racy Octavia vRS or is it a star? Nicki Shields finds out.
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If you like the Skoda Octavia vRS iV then we think you should also check out:
Volkswagen Golf GTE: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
Renault Captur E-Tech PHEV: www.electrifying.com/reviews/...
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[@alexc6946]

I remember the days way back in the 1980s where Skoda was in the same class as Lada and Yugo. They have definitely come a long way!! Probably the VW merger is what did the magic. Either way, I’m liking their cars

[@enyaq_gorm]

Their cars were light years ahead of lada and yugo, I owned one back then. Great cars, I never broke down once, drove it all the way from Scotland to the Czech Republic and back too

[@johnbower7452]

@@enyaq_gorm Same here; I had an Estelle and an Estelle 2 back in the 80's and sure I got the micky taken because I was in my late teens/early 20's but again, the latter never broke down; the older car did but only once and that was an old lady at the time. I agree now their cars are miles and away better and arguably better than some of the more expensive competition. Inidentally when they say you don't get the official figures I have to say my Octavia SE First Edition did upwards of 60 mph on a run and it's only supposed to 50.4. So well chuffed.

[@DariuszTech]

Totally agree

[@arnoldrebello5260]

I’ve never subscribed a channel in the first 2 minutes of a video. Top quality content and reviews.

[@jamesmccormack3229]

Enjoyed this review, honest friendly and in terms we all understand as usual. Really like the styling of this and like the subtle but not so subtle sportiness of this model.

[@FormulaWhine]

I love the honesty in this video about range and costs. I love the technology of hybrid, PHEV and full EV, but the numbers are still taking time to make sense.

[@meryuk]

I love watching/listening to her. Warms my heart :)

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. Looks very nice 👍

[@paulrose8876]

Is there an official test for PHEV mpg or does each manufacturer pick their own?

[@evornotev7794]

Hybrids should be large battery and small range extender engine, not big engine and small battery. If not plugged in after every journey a PHEV just becomes a petrol car with poor performance. Range extenders can offer peace of mind to those where range anxiety is an issue, but don't pollute as standard since the engine doesn't run very often and offer all the benefits of an electric drive train. For those who are not familiar with range extenders, they charge the battery rather than drive the wheels, so the demand on them is much less. It's how the London taxis work and the LEVC vans that the Post Office are starting to use. And apparently there's an electric Mazda due to be released with a range extender later this year. If you really want a car to transition from fossil fuel to electric without jumping straight into a full BEV, a range extender is a much better way to go,

[@davidy7004]

I wish more manufacturers would make range extenders as for many people like me they would be a no-brainer. I occasionally make 400 mile round-trips (200 miles, stay overnight a few days somewhere with no charger, 200 miles back), so there is no full BEV which works for me without wasting time in a soul-destroying service station, and I don't think there will be any time soon until battery technology changes. And I quite frequently (nearly twice a week in non-pandemic times) do a 75 mile daily round-trip (again with no charge point at the destination). So a range extender would be perfect for me, and I like the efficiency of only having a 120 mile (or whatever) battery so you're not lugging around an extra 150-200kg of battery. I'd occasionally fire up the petrol engine so there would very rarely be some tailpipe emissions , but offset against that it would be more efficient for the rest of the time than the big battery EVs which would often be wasting energy to move all that extra weight on the majority of journeys (for most people) which don't need that range. So while some Grid electricity still comes from fossil fuel, a range extender might *still* work out cleaner overall than a big-battery EV, and of course they can be considerably cheaper. But as far as I know you can't buy a new range extender, and the only one coming is the Mazda MX-30 which has a ridiculous design with weird doors - very impractical despite being classed as a SUV, which might be a deal-breaker for me. If someone would combine that range extender powertrain in a sensible body style - eg. that Octavia Estate above, it would be an easy choice for me.

[@alexdhutanu]

I would like that too but the big battery would make them too expensive. My Prius Prime does 3.3l/100km in hybrid mode, surely not a petrol car with poor performance. But I drove 90% to date in EV mode. A second hand BMW I3...

[@mearcat]

Best review of this car I have seen. I also noticed that you have to brake much harder and the lack of Apple Maps in the digital cockpit.

[@jasondavis545]

When speaking with Skoda in Crewe about the Vission iV( Enyak now) I said to the team there if Skoda had done like VW did with the e-golf they would of sold tonnes of them, even if you could only do say 150 miles on a full charge

[@DariuszTech]

Shame that new PHEV can't get a decent range. I'm still achieving about 25-28 electric miles in my 2014 Outlander. Which is still pretty impressive 🙂

[@xxxNoodles]

I got it. I love it

[@GillmanStudio]

Nice car. Shopping for new Co car right now and disappointingly lease prices mean its cheaper to lease a BMW 330e than one of these... I never thought I'd see the day I'd have to choose a BMW as a Skoda was above the budget

[@slugger7440]

Absolutely brilliant presenter

[@richardfoster2021]

One of the best company cars one can have

[@tomattime]

Now N, should you win the Euro millions, you need to keep making these shows........ Do it for the planet!

[@elgordo]

In my Kia Optima estate I am on electric only for 78% of the time. Daily commute is/was 30 miles each way charging both ends - usually no petrol used unless cold weather. So 20,000 miles very cheaply so far.

[@stevencampbell1150]

Out of curiosity was any of that on motorways?

[@elgordo]

@@stevencampbell1150 No. Just 6 miles on v fast dual carriageway. 6 mile fast A road. 12 mile country lanes. 6 mile urban or lots of roundabouts (MK). Max all electric range was when mostly on M1 with road work speed limit = 38.4 miles driven wit one mile remaining, so above Kia guide.

[@stevencampbell1150]

@@elgordo ah I see. My reason for asking is I currently have a diesel Renault Kadjar 1.6 and tho' I'm not planning to change yet I think I'll probably be going to another diesel next probably an Octavia TDI of some sort as the mix of driving I do won't lend itself in the same way to a plug in hybrid or hybrid of any nature as they're mostly at home on shorter urban trips where the regen of the battery under braking has more of an opportunity to take place as I'm about 70-80% on motorways as part of my 70 miles plus commute from home to work and back.

[@elgordo]

@@stevencampbell1150 This Kia replaced an Octavia diesel estate auto. I used to get 48mpg on the same trip.

[@stevencampbell1150]

@@elgordo aye and that's what I'm considering as my next move tho' I would like to hope I'd get more than 48mpg out of it as I'm on the motorway the majority of the time.

[@esm7708]

Cool car about 4 years ago with aged hybrid nonsense. Still want one.

[@mandopando68]

Well I think I will keep my 2016 vrs diesel estate as I love it 😎😎😎

[@brocluno01]

Ah, now I have seen the PHEV that I most want. So when are Skoda coming to California?

[@amineamoune678]

Skoda:yesss

[@simonwhite2890]

Is it me or are there an extraordinary amount of ad breaks in these short films?

[@genestatler2514]

Too bad that it's a hybrid. Not bad otherwise. You guys do a friendly and professional show . I like it.

[@Ianmundo]

7.3 seconds 0-60 is certainly respectable but not exactly quick nowadays

[@r3dp3anut41]

What’s 15mm between friends?! Over half an inch is what!

[@JanDesant]

Hello , my car old skoda octavia 1 lift 2.0 benzin total speed 200 km/h :-) only petrol :-)

[@RF_Burns]

Sorry, I can't watch this as the volume level is up & down all over the place.

[@lukegomersall9941]

The petrol is cheaper,faster,lighter,more engaging to drive,and has a bigger boot.

[@julianroberts5407]

Quality car, great job skoda

[@jimsshed2587]

Good video however it's actually Not a VRS in fact it's an RS as confirmed by Skoda

[@Theoriginalramjammer]

It’s called vRS in the UK market as Ford owns the rights to use the RS name..

[@johnknight9150]

Plugin hybrid? Awwwww, Skoda... you had me all excited - I thought you'd made an electric one for a minute! Poo.

[@davidsommen1324]

To be fair, Skoda have made an electric car, the Skoda Enyaq. First youtube reviews will come in a few weeks, I hope.

[@adrianbyron-parker5797]

If you are not a buisness user this dosn't make sense.. get the petrol! If you are a buisness user then this makes sense.. get the IV! Simples... TAX rules!!

[@minniesaab7255]

❤❤❤❤

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

5:53 - 5:56 and 6:54 and 8:07 bad day for the colour correction............

[@eastwoodcars1014]

Another reviewer that can't make her mind up whether to call it an Octarrrrrrvia or an Octayyyyyvia ffs

[@anttikalpio4577]

Why would I go for a PHEV when I can go all electric. I think the time for PHEVs has passed already. Get a real BEV instead

[@davidy7004]

Because BEV range is still so mediocre. I occasionally make 400 mile round-trips (200 miles, stay overnight a few days somewhere with no charger, 200 miles back). Is there a full BEV which will guarantee to do that journey in all weathers and for the full life of the car (assuming the battery will lose life over the 5+years I'd keep it), without wasting time in a soul-destroying service station? And even if there was, how affordable would it be? I know current BEVs are suitable for some people, but for many others they still have a long way to go before they're anywhere near as practical as cheap ICE-engined cars from 20+ years ago which would do that sort of journey with ease. So until battery technology gets better, many people will need some sort of ICE. As someone said above, range-extenders would be a better solution than the sort of PHEV in the video, but as no manufacturer sells new range-extenders at present, a PHEV is the only solution if you want at least some sort of electric power.

[@Andy007400]

All electric??? What happens when the electricity goes off?? Stuck.

[@anttikalpio4577]

@@Andy007400 how do you think the gas pumps work without electricity?

[@Andy007400]

@@anttikalpio4577 Generators champ. Common knowledge.

[@anttikalpio4577]

@@Andy007400 how many gas stations do you know with emergancy generators?

[@michaelholt1]

Really don't see the point of hybrids.

[@bjelinski1]

7.3s to 60? then vRS must stand for "very retarded stuff" :) it all has changed with the advent of pure EVs. A dull long-range Tesla can 5secs or less, and costs less here in Norway.

[@user-or7om6je3k]

yeah and this car will overtake it going 200 km/h while you crawl over the highway with 120 km/h from charger to charger...facepalm. Stupid argumentation.

[@Andy007400]

Teslas are shockingly built though, cheap and cheerful except what you actually pay for them. And no way is a Tesla cheaper than a Skoda.

[@bjelinski1]

​@@Andy007400 I have checked now - 579kNOK in Norway, start price for Skoda with A4 page with add-ons (side airbags). 559kNOK for TMY. I can't look at the plastic screen from the 90's.

[@Andy007400]

@@bjelinski1 You are clearly just robbed in Norway. The Skoda here in Sweden, top model, is less than 450,000 NoK. You cannot get a Model Y Tesla 2nd hand for less 700,000 NoK, so you either have massive subsidies on Teslas or you are lying. I guess the 2nd part. Add in that Teslas are soooo badly made, horrible cars.

[@bjelinski1]

@@Andy007400 Maybe you have checked the wrong price list (vRS iV!). Sure you can have bare metal RWD for less. And new Teslas are cheaper than used ones ;) If Tesla is so bad why do people pay that amount for a used one?! ;) I have just come from a trip Mo i Rana - Molde - Mo i Rana. Oh man, they dominate motorways here, Norwegians must have reasoning problems or something :)