• Hit the road and even despite the 19-inch alloys, the ride on the vRS remains comfortable and refined. Corners can be also be attacked, especially in the Sport option of the ‘Driver Select’ system, because of the precise steering and the new limited-slip differential – the slick six-speed manual transmission just adds to the package.
• On top of the increase in performance (0-62mph acceleration now takes 6.7 secs – an improvement of a tenth of a second and the top speed is up to 155mph), Skoda have also worked on the sound of the 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged engine – with a deeper, sportier tone from the freer flowing exhaust, yet it still has the same 45.6mpg economy and emissions as before (142g/km).
• This sportiest Octavia falls into the 23% tax band.

What’s not?

• The vRS 230 might be cheaper than the mechanically similar Golf GTi with performance pack, but you have to make do without the Haldex differential and adaptive dampers. As thus, the Golf is the sharper, sportier drive.
• There might be a Driver Select System that has various different modes including a sport one. However, apart from the performance modes, it’s hard to tell the differences between them.
• The diesel version of the Octavia vRS is probably better-suited to SME buyers, but unfortunately that isn’t offered with the same power upgrade.
• At £26,650 the Octavia vRS seems good value against the hot hatch opposition, but there’s no such thing as a cheap Skoda anymore!

Verdict on the Skoda Octavia vRS 230

For just £2,500 more than the standard vRS hatch, the 230 has more equipment and better performance than the standard vRS. On top of this, despite the price increase, the vRS230 is cheaper than sister model, the Golf GTi and the price compares well with other hot hatch rivals.