HAVING a car with a Skoda badge on the drive usually means the buyer is, if nothing else, a sensible sort.

The Czech car maker has built a reputation among level-headed motorists for producing well-built, well-priced, practical vehicles.

The addition of the vRS badge to the rear of the Fabia and Octavia models has meant a huge boost in pulling power and a much sportier ride, but more frequent visits to the filling station.

Enter the new 2.0-litre, turbodiesel Octavia vRS, offering all the lowered suspension, twin-chromed exhaust and big-wheeled thrills of the petrol model, with the prospect of near 50mpg consumption.

The 170 horsepower engine develops most of its pulling power at very low revs, making it supremely easy to manage and every bit as fun to drive as its petrol-powered counterpart.

Available in both hatch and estate models, the fuel consumption gives a potential driving range of 589 miles.

Just as important as the ability to deliver big cruising distances is the Octavia's load-carrying capacity.

With ample space for five adults, one of the main advantages of the new Octavia is still its large luggage compartment.

The hatchback's basic loadspace - which is impressive - can be increased massively by folding down the rear seats.

As with the petrol vRS, both the hatch and estate enjoy the same luxurious specification, which means creature comforts such as climate control, six-CD autochanger and alloy wheels are fitted as standard.

Safety equipment includes electronic stability program and traction control, along with driver, passenger and side airbags.

Options fitted to the test car ranged from 18-inch alloy wheels at £450 and xenon headlights and washers at £550, to a £1,350 full-colour satellite navigation system.

Skoda is obviously doing something right, as the marque has just topped the BBC Top Gear magazine annual owner satisfaction survey.

More than 56,000 readers rated 152 cars in the magazine's annual survey and overall Skoda was voted the number one car manufacturer of 2006, with the Octavia, Fabia and Superb all making the top ten. So if you are looking for a car that blends driving pleasure and prudence in roughly equal measures, the turbodiesel vRS will deliver.

It is some achievement to overhaul the domination of a luxury brand such as Lexus, but it goes to show that producing cars that precisely match owners' needs is a sure way to success.

Auto facts Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD vRS

  • Price: £18,550
  • Ins group: 14E
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 48.7mpg
  • Top speed: 140mph
  • Length: 457.2cm/180in
  • Width: 176.9cm/69.6in
  • Luggage capacity: 19.7 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 12.1 gallons/55 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 157g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles