Skoda Octavia hatchback

cafedesreves · 2021-02-07T22:53:17+00:00

I have found what looks like a great deal on a 2011 Octavia hatchback but need a big boot for luggage! How does it measure up for size?

Original poster

cafedesreves · 07/02/2021 22:55

DM is adamant we need an estate car with two kids... is she right?

OP posts:

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 08/02/2021 10:41

Lots of people manage with 2 children without an estate. We had an Octavia estate, but we would probably have been fine with just the hatchback. The boot on an Octavia is pretty big, even on the hatchback. Obviously the estate is bigger.

This video shows you the boot size. Of course it's not the 2011, but it will be pretty similar

Original poster

cafedesreves · 08/02/2021 11:21

Thanks, that's helpful. Do you like the Octavia generally?

OP posts:

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 08/02/2021 11:39

Our Octavia was good enough to keep for 8 years. It was a 2003 Octavia, which didn't have great rear space, but it was fine for kids. The 2011 has more space in the rear, so that should be less of an issue.

AnotherEmma · 08/02/2021 11:46

We have a more recent Octavia hatchback (Not estate) and the boot is enormous. It was one of the reasons we bought it. Can easily fit pram (ie pushchair wheels and carrycot) plus small bike plus extra bags with room to spare. It's been very handy indeed!

AnotherEmma · 08/02/2021 11:49

This website says a 2011 Octavia has a boot volume of 560 dm3 and the estate version has 580 dm3 so there isn't much in it.
www.automobiledimension.com/car-comparison.php

Triffid1 · 08/02/2021 11:53

We love our Octavia hatchback. And honestly, I still don't understand why it's considered a hatchback as it looks like a regular car to me. The Estates are more like station wagons.

The boot is ENORMOUS. Our is a bit newer than yours - 2013 or 2014 I think - but I suspect it's very similar. I've yet to open the boot in the presence of another person who doesn't then comment on the size of it.

we fully expect to keep this car for a very long time still.

AnotherEmma · 08/02/2021 11:54

Agree people comment on it! My family christened it the Tardis

Triffid1 · 08/02/2021 11:57

@AnotherEmma

Agree people comment on it! My family christened it the Tardis

I think my dad would desperately like one, even though he really doesn't need one as he no longer has to cart children, dogs, luggage around. He's always telling people about a) the size of our boot and b) how incredibly economical the car is in terms of petrol considering it's size.

AnotherEmma · 08/02/2021 11:58

LOL!
I wonder if the Scala (next size down) is similar in terms of impressive boot and fuel economy for the size.
I'm a Skoda convert now!

Triffid1 · 08/02/2021 12:00

@AnotherEmma

LOL! I wonder if the Scala (next size down) is similar in terms of impressive boot and fuel economy for the size. I'm a Skoda convert now!

I think I took a passing glance at the Scala when we were organising refinancing etc for the Octavia as at one point financially it looked like we might have been forced to hand it back and get a new car instead. From memory, it wasn't as impressive. I think if you want to downgrade, downgrading to the Fabia is the better choice. But I suspect we'll be driving our Octavia for another 10 years frankly!!

Original poster

cafedesreves · 08/02/2021 12:06

Amazing thanks everyone! We have an ancient Fabia atm and love it!

OP posts:

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 08/02/2021 17:33

@Triffid1

We love our Octavia hatchback. And honestly, I still don't understand why it's considered a hatchback as it looks like a regular car to me. The Estates are more like station wagons.

The boot is ENORMOUS. Our is a bit newer than yours - 2013 or 2014 I think - but I suspect it's very similar. I've yet to open the boot in the presence of another person who doesn't then comment on the size of it.

we fully expect to keep this car for a very long time still.

It's called a hatchback because it is a hatchback.

I'm trying to think how to make that clear with just text, but a regular saloon car has a boot lid that is more or less flat and about level with the top of the seats, with a clear separation between the boot and the passenger compartment. Hatchbacks and estates have boot lids that goes up to the roof line and hinge there. The boot is part of the main body, rather than a separate compartment. The main difference between a hatchback and an estate is whether boot lid is slanted or more or less vertical when closed.

Triffid1 · 09/02/2021 09:36

I'm trying to think how to make that clear with just text, but a regular saloon car has a boot lid that is more or less flat and about level with the top of the seats, with a clear separation between the boot and the passenger compartment. Hatchbacks and estates have boot lids that goes up to the roof line and hinge there. The boot is part of the main body, rather than a separate compartment. The main difference between a hatchback and an estate is whether boot lid is slanted or more or less vertical when closed.

Exactly. Except, the boot on our "hatchback" does not hinge from the roof and the boot lid is flat, not slanted, when closed. That's why it's so odd. Here's picture from the internet:

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 09/02/2021 11:00

The Octavia in the video clearly shows that the boot is hinged from the roof line. Does yours not open the same way?

I can see from the video that there is flat section, but the boot lid (hatch) is mostly windscreen and mostly slanted.

Triffid1 · 09/02/2021 11:11

Mine is exactly like the picture so doesn't look hatchback-like. But good question re whether when you open it it opens up entirely just in a different way to "normal" hatchbacks. I think it does.

Thank you! This has clarified things for me because I've spent a lot of time (yes, this is a bit silly) being annoyed by the car being called a hatchback when it doesn't look like one! But I get it now - it's the way the boot opens up which is still very much like a hatchback ie making it easier to load etc.