Driving Skoda’s 140 TSI Limited Edition Liftback sedan today – a 2.0-litre 140kW turbo seven-speed dual clutch automatic which recently joined the 1.4-litre 110kW Ambition and Style models.

This more premium model at $51,490 drive-away comes fully loaded with features and equipment, the only option a panoramic sunroof.

As part of the Volkswagen Group one could be forgiven for thinking you were driving a top end Volkswagen or Audi. Given there’s a shrinking number of sedans in the market I found it refreshing to be driving this very polished model which feels far more premium than its price indicates.

The exterior with its sharp edge but subtle styling opens to an interior that is very much a class above – the seats by any measure extremely comfortable and accommodating in a cabin with good legroom dimensions. Like many importers, Skoda recently lifted Octavia driveaway prices by $1,000 to cover increased transport logistics while sales in the first two months are down by over 50 percent due to the semi-conductor shortage.

Economy, I managed 7.3 L/100km on 95 RON petrol but disappointingly it only a 45 litre fuel tank. Despite an excellent range of SUV’s the Octavia sedan remains Skoda’s best seller – the 140 TSI Limited Edition in my opinion the pick of the range. Warranty: five-years/unlimited kilometre warranty, a pre-paid five-year service pack $1,550.

I’m David Berthon.

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