SKODA has come a long way in a short time since becoming part of the VW group and a large part of that success is down the classy Octavia.

From the outset the famous Czech manufacturer offered something different - size.

Now in its third generation, it's better than ever and is rival to other models in the VW family with more than a passing resemblance to the all conquering Golf.

Despite huge steps in quality and refinement it is still an affordable car, although, the range topper I drove is not cheap.

Having said that, at a shade under £16,000 for the entry level car, you do get a whole lot of standard kit for your money and the Elegance adds a host of high tech safety wizardy.

But you do get what you pay for, in this case its plenty, quality, space, practicality and a range of modern, frugal, low polluting, yet powerful engines.

From the 1.2 petrol to the 1.6-litre turbo diesel tested there is plenty of appeal. Private and business users will be attracted to the diesel with CO2 emisisons of 99g/km, which means no road fund licence and for business users low benefit in kind taxation.

And with a claimed official economy figure of a staggering 74mpg and low insurance, it is cheap to run.

That 70-odd mpg attained under test conditions may not bear to much resemblance to day-to-day conditions, but this is an extremely frugal car.

Relaunched this year, exterior changes mean the car has a more angular look with its sharp creases and high waistline.

At the front the smart grille sports the new black and chrome logo. The rear end isn't quite so smart simply because it hides the largest boot area in its class.

The entry level includes smart alloys, air conditioning front electric windows and door mirrors, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, a six-disc CD changer and a USB socket.

The range topping Elegance adds more bells and whistles, including sat nav, leather seats, cruise control and automatic lights and wipers.

Inside, the car is a well built and classy and you and has the feel of an executive vehicle.

It has soft touch finish to the doors and dash while everything feels well engineered. The dashboard has an elegant simplicity dominated by the touch screen infotainment system.

As a hatchback, praticality is at a premium and as well as the cavernous boot, the car also features a number of cubby holes and drink holders as well as rear armrest that doubles as a storage compartment which also allows access to the boot.

With the split rear seat in place boot space is 590 litres, opening out to a huge 1,580 litres, almost a small removal van.

On the road the 105ps engine does deliver excellent economy although not the quietest diesel in the world or the quickest.

However there is enough power on tap for quick getaways in difficult situations and to sit comfortably all day on the motorway and watch the fuel gauge stubbornly refusing to move.

Cruising is also a comfortable experience with wind and road noise muted.

The car generally handles well gripping well on bends even if it can feel unsettled on poorer roads.

All Skodas have high levels of safety equipment, a key area nowadays when choosing car.

All have seven airbags, front, side, curtain and driver's knee airbag, enhanced braking technology and electronic stability control.

The top end models also get hi-tech additions like radar sensing and post collision braking system, driver fatigue detector, hill hold control.

Relatively inexpensive, cheap to run and excellent practicality. The Skoda is, now, just about as good as it gets.