"Octavia" or "Jetta" - which is better? "Volkswagen Jetta" and "Skoda Octavia": comparison

It is rather strange to observe how cars produced by one brand have become ardent competitors in their niche. Both belong to the golf class, are well known to all motorists and have a long-term, and very good history.

So, let's try to figure out which is better - "Jetta" or "Octavia". That is, in the first case we are dealing with the company "Volkswagen", and in the second - with "Skoda." Let's consider the main characteristics of both cars and compare them.

Maybe someone does not know, but these two machines, though they carry different marketing initials, are in fact the brainchild of the same brand. They were born thanks to the concern VW Group. Many will say that there is nothing to compare here: both cars in one segment and from one manufacturer, and therefore are made by analogy, but in reality things are somewhat more complicated. Therefore, many, especially meticulous consumers and are wondering what to choose: "Skoda Octavia" or "Volkswagen Jettu"?

A bit of history

The first step is to start with names. On hearing it seems that both cars are called like a woman, but then you will be surprised: according to the passport Volkswagen "Jetta" is a "boy". The brand recommends using the name in the masculine gender.

As such, the Jetta group was designed and built on the "Golf" platform, where in 1979 engineers provided it with a separate baggage compartment and turned it into a new line of machines. Since that time the Volkswagen "Jetta" has experienced a lot of design interventions, and in 2010 the sixth generation of this car was presented to the court of motorists.

Octavia

As for the femininity of Octavia, here it is undeniable, which proves the corresponding item in the passport. The roots of engineering refinements of the car go back to the distant 1959, where the car was just beginning to conquer the West European market under the brand of the Czech automotive company. The car was visually simple, but the driving characteristics of Skoda Octavia were impressive. At that time, the car was taken to a lot of international festivals and competitions, where he, without any hesitation, received many awards and awards.

Production line Octavia was frozen in 1971 for a number of marketing and technological reasons. After the brand "Skoda" was bought by the German concern Volkswagen, Octavia was given a second chance.

In 1997 the car again got on the conveyor. But now it was not recognized, and the concern has not lost with the purchase of the brand "Skoda" and played all the cards as it should. The car was well received, and somewhere even "cheers". "Volkswagen" put forward such a weighty argument, which is difficult to surpass, - an excellent German quality at an acceptable Czech price. That is, the owner received excellent driving characteristics "Skoda Octavia", coupled with an attractive appearance for a completely democratic price tag, and all this from a venerable brand whose products can not be called inexpensive. To offer something similar competing marketers, alas, could not.

Price of issue

Many motorists, when comparing "Jetta" and "Octavia", first of all looked at the price. For some, it frightened and misled its ambiguity. That is, on the one hand, Skoda is cheaper than Volkswagen, but on the other hand, price tags for external competitors of this segment are more attractive. Therefore, many motorists are somewhat confused about the brand's pricing policy regarding "Octavia" or "Jetta".

Let's give a simple example: for the purchase of Volkswagen you need to shell out about 24 000 dollars, and Skoda will cost 4000 cheaper. The average cost of a C-class car from the same Koreans or Japanese varies between $ 18,000, which makes you think not only about the choice between Octavia and Jetta, but Volkswagen as such. Here we will try to figure out whether they are worth it to overpay their blood for them.

Exterior

The choice between "Octavia" or "Jetta" for many is determined by the appearance. Putting both cars next to you can say that "Skoda" looks like a strict school teacher with a narrowed gaze and the right features of the body. Here you will not see any newfangled excesses and other "cheerful" attributes - everything is neat, simple and without frills.

But the "Jetta" - a guy of a completely different plane: there is progressiveness and hypermodernity. One time in the salons of "Volkswagen" was fixed reflecting the exterior of the machine motto - "Be fashionable, to be in fashion."

Interior

As for the internal component, then there are no options for choice: "Octavia" or "Jetta" - all one. It seems that the salons of these cars were made on one pattern - even the ashtrays are the same. Some cardinal differences can be found only on the steering wheel, and in all other respects they are the closest relatives.

Pleased with the interior material: the designers here have tried to fame and have chosen extremely quality components that will please even the most sophisticated motorists. In this part, the manufacturer clearly did not save. Here you can also include excellent chairs that protect your back from fatigue and scoliosis, as well as correctly positioned controls.

Test Drive

The roads of our respondents diverge at a time when the ignition is turned on. Here, Jetta is clearly in the lead, demonstrating its noise isolation characteristics in all its beauty, both during acceleration and at high speeds. "Skoda" unlike "Volkswagen" likes to make a noise, and somewhere even to wail, especially during the start or when working with the gearbox.

In addition, seasoned users note the almost perfect "Jetta" tandem with the owner. The car is so obedient, that sometimes it seems, but not whether somewhere in the panel there is a myelophone reading the driver's thoughts. In the case of Skoda, this, alas, is not observed. Of course, you can get used to, but it will take time and some skill, after which "Octavia" will become soft and complaisant.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the anti-slip system (ASR). Both machines strongly depend on it, that is, if you block ASR (accidentally or specially), then you can get a lot of trouble. In this case, the course of both cars becomes stiff, and in the fifth gear it seems that the car is driven by someone else, so unresponsive becomes the running gear.

Driving qualities

If you observe all the precautions while driving, then from the machines you can achieve very good dynamics. Both engines - by 1.6 liters - from Jetta and Octavia calmly give out 105 horsepower. Cars confidently gain speed and keep the pace, and are ready to almost instantly change the style of driving.

The only point that should be emphasized is the so-called deficit in the crankshaft, where the driver needs to act particularly neatly during the overtaking. In all other respects, the cars behave quite adequately and some critical remarks were not noticed either in the environment of professional testers or among ordinary owners.

Summarizing

The choice between these two cars is complicated and ambiguous. Here you can say this: if you are attracted to sports types of cars, then take a closer look at Jetta. This car is quieter in terms of noise insulation, but it has a characteristic bright personality.

If you want a reliable and nice car from the German concern, but are limited in money, then you should pay attention to the strict and solid "Octavia". The model was quite comparable to the specification of the German Volkswagen, but it has a more attractive price tag.