SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6 FSI Classic 5dr (2006)

The Skoda Octavia - no laughing matter

What do you call a Skoda at the top of a hill? A miracle. We've all heard the gags, but I think everybody now knows that Skoda is now a brand to be respected. They've spent years re-branding and innovating and they now manufacture some of the best value family cars on the market. If you ask me the Skoda Octavia is the best thing to come out of the Czech Republic since Eva Herzigova (Google her).

Skoda have produced a car with a great list price here, and they haven't cut that many corners in doing so. The standard trim includes front and side airbags, a pretty decent mp3 stereo and air-conditioning. The interiors might seem a bit tacky to some, but personally I don't care enough to pay more. My Skoda Ocatavia is surprisingly powerful, and it handles beautifully, so there certainly hasn't been any cut-backs in this department.

The reliability and fuel-efficiency both make this car extremely cheap for me to run. But don't think that the price is all it has going for it: it's roomy, good-looking and a great car to drive. I can't praise my Skoda Octavia enough.