SMART motorists have been buying the Skoda Octavia in their droves for many years.
Its reputation for being richly equipped, superbly roomy, enjoyable to drive and competitively priced have ensured its popularity.
Now, though, the Czech brand is offering it with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engine that delivers the goods both in terms of performance and fuel efficiency.
And so the Octavia iV, as the PHEV is badged, enhances this family hatchback and estate’s appeal even more.
I recently tested the high-spec SE L hatch, costing from £33,150 on the road, and was instantly impressed by it.
Despite being a good bit bigger than most of its rivals, it was lithe and agile to drive, and looked smart inside and out.
This Skoda is driven by a 1.4-litre petrol engine, 85kW electric motor supplied by an under-floor 13kWh battery pack and a six-speed auto transmission.
The powertrain produces a sizeable 204PS – which is good enough to take the car from rest to 62mph in just 7.7 seconds.
A top speed of 136mph and the boost provided by kicking down on the accelerator means you’ll not struggle to quicken the pace at any legal speed on the open road.
And if you want to be green around town, you can opt for a pure-electric E-mode drive, with a range of up to 43 miles.
Hybrid mode will combine the two power sources seamlessly and you can even opt to charge the battery pack to your desired level using energy recuperation or the petrol engine on the move.
The whole set-up is simply operated by the press of a button and a selection menu on the dashboard-mounted 10in infotainment screen.
Use the wallbox/charge-point cable and you can fully restore the battery juice from empty in just three and a half hours. A traditional 10amp plug socket cable is also supplied as standard.
It all results in the iV being the most fuel-efficient Octavia ever built, with official combined figures of 188.3 to 282.6mpg and CO2 levels at just 22-33g/km.
I found it very satisfying to drive, too, with nicely weighted steering providing good feedback and brakes as impressively responsive as the accelerator.
Meanwhile, the suspension set-up ensured the hatchback displayed great roadholding – soaking up the bumps and cornering with confidence.
Adding to the enjoyment were four driving modes – eco, normal, sport and individual – that noticeably altered the car’s driving characteristics.
The cabin is a relaxing place to be, too, with faux suede for the upholstery and dashboard, as well as some striking use of metallic decorative inserts in the doors.
There really is ample space for four or even five adults to stretch out, while the 450-litre boot seems cavernous compared with many so-called competitors.
The infotainment system is very impressive as it includes split-screen functionality, sat nav, smartphone compatibility, voice control and access to many car features.
My daughter thought the way you could slide your finger along a bar just below the large digital display to alter the volume was particularly cool.
For my part, I liked the 10.25in Virtual Cockpit that can be customised to show a variety of vital information for the driver.
Other goodies and driver aids include keyless entry and start, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone air conditioning and heated front seats.
Also on the extensive list are parking sensors front and back with on-screen graphics, auto brake hold, front collision assist and lane keep assist.
This hatchback has a stylish road presence, too, and looks more like a larger saloon than the traditional family hatchback.
Slim light clusters fore and aft are complemented by some smart chrome detailing, dynamic body and bonnet creases, and unique 18in alloys.
The Octavia iV is yet another clever move by Skoda to keep ahead of the game.
