The Skoda Octavia already carries a reputation for being one of the more spacious, value-for-money hatchbacks in the current market. Now though, the Octavia has received a facelift to keep it fresh next to alternatives like the Hyundai i30, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, though the list of changes isn’t massive.

Observing the exterior, the one change you’re likely to notice are the new headlights, which have a split design similar to the recently-launched Skoda Kodiaq SUV. Depending on specification choice, the new headlights come with LED technology.

The subtler changes include a new, lower bumper and higher fog lamps. Changes to the interior are very subtle too and there aren’t any mechanical changes either, but the in-car tech and safety kit lists have been revamped.

Prior to the launch of the first-generation Octavia vRS in 2001, the notion of a Skoda performance car was almost too much for some people. Having yet to find its feet after being taken under the wing of Volkswagen, a hot Skoda was almost as laughable as a hot Moskvitch.

Now, things are different. The current third-gen Octavia vRS is not only the most forward-looking yet, but it’s also the fastest with a fantastic mix of power and practicality that won’t give your bank balance too much of a hard time.

Sharing several parts with the benchmark hot hatch, the Golf GTI, it’s thoroughly well engineered inside and out and a genuinely attractive, if slightly more understated, alternative to more familiar performance hatch names.

Performance

As with the estate version, the vRS hatchback comes with a choice of either a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel engine, both of which are the same turbocharged four-cylinders that feature in the Golf GTI and GTD.

The diesel is available with 182bhp and either a six-speed manual gearbox as standard or a six-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic for a little more, while the petrol features a choice of 217bhp or 227bhp outputs with the same transmission options.

Which option you go for depends entirely on whether you prefer performance, efficiency or a bit of both, but we tested the 217bhp petrol engine, which offers real pace and heaps of torque from low revs all the way up to the redline.

It’s got more than enough power for spirited on-road driving without feeling potent to the point of being unmanageable, and while earlier vRS models had almost comically long gearing, the six-speed manual transmission is slick and easy-shifting as you work your way up the gearbox.

Given the Octavia’s extra weight over the Golf, acceleration and efficiency does suffer slightly in comparison to the VW, but the hottest version of the vRS can still reach 62mph from a standing start in 6.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 154mph.

The diesel option is also fairly brawny with 380Nm of torque, with a smooth and effortless quality, particularly when paired with the DSG automatic gearbox. It’s nowhere near as brisk or as sporty as the petrol options, though, and it’s a fair bit noisier under hard acceleration too.

Ride and Handling

Sharp handling with a surprisingly neutral balance for a front-wheel drive car.

Sitting on stiffened sports suspension that’s 12mm lower than the regular Octavia hatch, the vRS version also benefits from a longer wheelbase than the Golf. While it does lose some of the nippy, agile qualities of the more compact hatch, it’s incredibly planted on the road, with a sure-footedness that’s uncanny. It’s still cut from the same cloth as VW’s sporty offerings as well thanks to its various shared parts, and the MQB platform on which it’s built, which focuses on reducing weight, makes for sharp handling with a surprisingly neutral balance for a front-wheel drive car. Predictable and precise at speed, the ride is as well-sprung as any other hot Volkswagen Group model, though it’s not perfect. Particularly at a more sensible pace and when specified with the optional 19-inch alloy wheels it’s not as comfortable as it could be, and it’s prone to being crashy and boomy over uneven road surfaces. New for this latest third-generation version is a progressive steering rack that increases the steering ratio as more lock is applied, along with selectable driving modes that can sharpen throttle response, weight up the steering and also apply synthesised engine noises for a sportier, albeit slightly artificial, soundtrack.  There’s also now the option of four-wheel drive for the diesel-powered model, which adds extra traction and stability in low-grip environments, and which also shaves around half a second off the diesel’s 0-62mph sprint time.

Interior and Equipment

The Octavia vRS’s mixture of pace, space and an under-the-radar appearance made it popular as an unmarked police car.

Compared with rivals like the Ford Focus ST or even the Golf GTI, the Octavia vRS is a lot less obviously sporty, both on the outside and on the inside. Handsome but slightly bland is probably the best way to describe it, and although it comes well equipped if you want something that’s got the looks to match the power, the vRS probably isn’t it. All the same, you get sports seats, vRS badging and aluminium pedals, while you can also specify the vRS 230 package which gives larger alloys, a boot spoiler and a flat-bottomed steering wheel in addition to leather upholstery. Standard equipment is comprehensive, with xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, plus dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors. Each vRS model also features a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though sat-nav will cost you extra on all models except the vRS 230. While it might appear rather demure compared to more raucous rivals, where the Octavia really excels is with its practicality. Probably the roomiest hot hatchback around, it’s got plenty of space for even the lankiest of passengers and a massive 590-litre boot, and that’s even with the rear seats folded up. Fold them down and you’ll have access to 1,580 litres of load space in total, giving the vRS more space in the rear than some estate cars, plus a small loading lip that makes easy work of carrying larger items.

Cost

A CO2 output of just 119g/km also makes it cheap to tax and also attractive for fleet buyers.

When the original Octavia vRS debuted back in 2001, it built a reputation as one of the greatest hidden gems in terms of bang for buck, and the current model still adheres to that cost-effective principle. The current third-generation version has a starting price of £24,230, just over £1,000 more than the original model cost when its £15,100 price tag is adjusted for inflation. For that money, it undercuts the Golf GTI by around £2,000, though the entry-level Ford Focus ST is just north of a grand cheaper. Running costs are likewise impressive; particularly if you choose the diesel engine then you’ll be able to return up to 64.2mpg, while its CO2 output of just 119g/km also makes it cheap to tax and also attractive for fleet buyers.

Our Verdict

It’s probably one of the most subtle cars in its class, but despite the fact that it’s not quite as thrilling or edgy as other performance hatches, the Skoda Octavia vRS represents exceptional value for money. Particularly as an everyday driver, it offers just the right blend of performance capability, practicality and affordability; the smart man’s hot hatch rather than a weapon for the backwards baseball cap demographic. Any buyer who’s not too fussy about badge appeal and who’s looking for an accomplished and well equipped large hatchback that’s just got that little bit extra when the pedal hits the carpet would do well to consider the Octavia vRS.