Skoda Octavia vRS (2001-2005) review

vRS models get part-leather two-tone sports seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a chunky (and awkwardly shaped) gear knob and… that’s about it. Some versions do come with an electric sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and upgraded sound systems, but none of these - save for the sunroof - will make a huge difference in 2024.

The centre console is loaded with switchgear and buttons, surrounded by lots of hard touchpoints. It’s not pretty - we’d say it’s borderline dreary - but it does the job. We do like the white outline of the analogue dials though. 

The vRS’ saving grace is that it’s still an Octavia, so there’s space. Lots of it. Plenty for five adults to travel in modest comfort with many cubbyholes for storage, and up to 500 litres of boot space with the seats up. That’s the same as a modern-day M3 Touring, by the way.

Any tech worth mentioning?

Parking sensors and xenon headlights were the main optional extras, as was traction control. Otherwise, it’s pretty boggo in there: you get climate control, cruise control, electric windows and heated rear windows from standard, as you do a CD player and washers for the headlights. That last one is particularly cool for retro car goons.