2004 Skoda Octavia vRS review: Retro Road Test

Skoda’s vRS badge has come a long way since 2001. Back when the first Octavia vRS was launched, the idea of a sporty Skoda was too far-fetched for some people.

The Czech brand was still emerging from the dark days of ill-informed jokes, and continuing to find its feet under Volkswagen Group ownership. 

Yet with a knowing tap on the inside of its nose, the Skoda Octavia vRS emerged from nowhere, making the closely related Volkswagen Golf GTI look expensive and impractical. 

For those in the know, the Skoda Octavia vRS was the affordable performance car of choice.

What are its rivals?

We could argue that the original Skoda Octavia vRS had no direct rivals. With a launch price of £15,100, nothing could touch it for the money. 

The one notable exception was the slightly cheaper Seat Leon Cupra. Pound for pound, however, the cavernous Octavia vRS stood out like a big shiny beacon. 

Remember how the early press cars were all painted in striking Corrida Red? And we all know that red is faster, right?

The Octavia vRS trounced the contemporary Mk4 Golf GTI in just about every department, although the UK’s first Honda Civic Type R was waiting in the wings. 

The £15,995 Ford Focus ST170 was a palatable prelude to the blistering Ford Focus RS and was arguably the Octavia’s most direct rival.

What engine does it use?

The Skoda Octavia vRS made good use of Volkswagen’s ubiquitous 1.8-litre 20v turbocharged engine, also seen in the Audi TT, Audi A3 and S3, Volkswagen Golf, Seat Leon and the standard Octavia. 

In the Octavia vRS, the engine develops 177hp at 5,550rpm, plus 173lb ft of torque. Its 0-60mph time was quoted as a brisk 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 144mph. 

Back in the early 2000s, this was the fastest Skoda ever built. And it still feels quick today. Speaking of which…

What’s it like to drive?

Seriously good. Given the mediocrity of the equivalent Mk4 Golf GTI, you have to ask what wizardry was applied to transform the Octavia vRS into such a performance bargain. The same was true for the Seat Leon Cupra, which was also better to drive than the Golf. 

The Octavia’s gearing is comically long, with 70mph achievable in second. The engine also feels more characterful in the vRS, urging you to press on.

The steering on this Skoda UK heritage car, which had covered 77,000 miles when we drove it, seemed lighter and less communicative than it did when new. Subjectively, the Octavia vRS lacks the intimacy and immediacy of a more hardcore hot hatchback. 

However, considering the size of this car, not to mention the 528-litre double wardrobe over its rear wheels, the super Skoda is a huge amount of fun.

Reliability and running costs

The Skoda Octavia vRS offers a combined fuel economy figure of 35.3mpg, although figures in the mid 40s aren’t uncommon on a long motorway run. 

The availability of parts will not be an issue and there are number of excellent Volkswagen Group specialists who can service the car for less than a main dealer.

Could I drive it every day?

Oh, absolutely. The Skoda Octavia vRS is an easy car to drive, with a simplicity that is lost in so many hot hatchbacks. 

There are no driving modes to choose from, no concerns about all-round visibility, just a highly practical and immensely likeable performance hatchback. And if you require even more practicality, there is the vRS estate.

Back in the day, the Octavia was a motorway patrol car for many police forces. Its combination of pace and space, plus the unknown quantity of a hot Skoda, made for a brilliant unmarked cop car. 

How much should I pay?

Prices start from around £2,000 – still tremendous value for money. For that, you’ll get an Octavia vRS with a six-figure mileage and partial service history. 

A budget of £4,000 should secure a really nice example, but it’s worth noting the newer, Mk2 Octavia vRS is available for a similar amount.

We’d buy on condition and service history, rather than age or specification. Optional extras were few and far between, but it’s worth searching for cars with parking sensors (that’s a big boot when reversing), cruise control (to maximise those long-distance credentials) and an electric sunroof.

What should I look out for?

The excellent Briskoda forum offers an extensive Skoda Octavia vRS buying guide that should be your first port of call if you’re considering a purchase. 

The timing belt and water pump should be replaced every four years or 60,000 miles, and you should check for signs of accident damage. This is a performance car, so it may have been driven accordingly.

An engine misfire could be caused by a faulty coil pack, while water in the boot may be the result of a broken rear washer pipe. 

It’s better to wait for a cherished and much-loved example than to take a chance on a cheap vRS of iffy provenance and quality.

Should I buy one?

If you’re looking for a practical, spacious and quick hot hatch with a difference, you must consider the Skoda Octavia vRS. 

Green brake calipers may not appeal to all, but Skoda deserves huge respect for transforming an everyday hatchback into such a purposeful-looking machine. 

You also get a smattering of vRS goodies on the inside, such as a special gearknob, vRS seats with white inserts and silver-rimmed instruments. There’s even an ‘ASR’ traction control button.

Pub fact

The Octavia vRS WRC arrived in 2002, built to celebrate 100 years of Skoda in motorsport. Only 100 were sold, of which 25 were right-hand-drive cars for the UK. 

At £20,700, they were more expensive than the standard vRS, but they did offer a host of extra features, including Candy white paint, WRC replica graphics, a numbered plaque, xenon headlights and heated front seats. A future classic, for sure.