Octavia: yearly fuel cost
Big-car space with small-car fuel bills — that has always been the 2024 Skoda Octavia's trick, and the numbers confirm it: 8,000 miles a year at £1.45 per litre costs roughly £1,008 in petrol — about £84 a month, or £19.40 a week. Its 52.3 mpg combined figure sits just under the hatchback segment average of 53.9 mpg in our 20-car dataset, which is remarkable for a car with this much cabin and boot space, 150 PS, and an 8.7-second 0–62 time. Over five years, fuel totals around £5,040. The Octavia effectively gives you family-estate practicality at supermini running costs — one of the best space-per-pound equations in this comparison. Families get estate-car versatility without the usual estate-car fuel penalty.
Octavia owners typically see 48–51 mpg in mixed real-world driving against the 52.3 mpg claim — a modest gap that reflects the car's efficient aerodynamics and tall gearing. The 1.5-litre turbo is happiest at a steady cruise, so the key savings are holding 65–70 mph on motorways, using the coasting function where fitted, and avoiding unnecessary weight in the vast boot. Regular tyre-pressure checks pay dividends on a car this size. Verdict: the Octavia's economy is genuinely impressive for its footprint — few cars carry this much for this little at the pumps. Planning fuel stops at supermarkets rather than motorway services saves roughly 8–10p per litre, and keeping the petrol engine serviced on schedule — fresh oil, clean air filter — preserves its impressive efficiency.