DESPITE many counter-attractions in the guise of midi MPVs and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), the tried and tested family hatchback is still a firm favourite with the car-buying public.
Currently one of the best buys around, notable for its blend of fine performance, space and economy is the Skoda Octavia, the car which did more than any other to kill off the joke book image which once plagued the Czech carmaker and enabled it to finally become a serious player in the marketplace.
The Mark I Octavia attracted more than 73,000 UK buyers with its "extra bit of car" reputation before, in the summer of last year, it handed over the baton to the second generation model.
Like the outgoing model, the new Octavia comes with all the benefits of parent company Volkswagen's latest technology but despite new front and rear styling cues, the overall styling effect is still a little on the conservative side.
Three trim levels were offered at launch - Classic, Ambiente and Elegance - the entry level model including electric front windows, four-speaker sound system with single CD player, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, central locking, immobiliser and ABS braking but, surprisingly, no air con.
In the spring of this year, Skoda introduced three additional trim levels, L&K, Sport and the 4x4, each model progressively adding to the standard kit manifest.
Available in hatchback form only, the new Octavia Sport - which is tested here under diesel power - adds even more goodies to the toybox including an air con system which even extends to the glovebox, electric windows all round, eight-speaker sound system with six CD autochanger, remote central locking, trip computer, leather trimmed steering wheel and a really useful piece of safety kit, a tyre pressure monitoring system.
However, included in many people's buying decision is the level of occupant safety aids and, while all models do include driver and passenger front and side airbags, curtain airbags are a £280 option throughout the range.
Adding to the spaciousness of its predecessor there's plenty of room wherever you sit in the new Octavia and this is definitely a car in which it is very easy to get comfortable.
Increased overall dimensions have translated well into a cabin in which the Skoda designers have created oceans of room which positively encourages a car full of six-footers to stretch their legs without disturbing the occupants in front.
The boot too is cavernous. The regular-shaped 560-litre luggage bay has no wheel arch intrusion and is capable of comfortably swallowing up family sized baggage for a fortnight away over a user-friendly loading lip. But it is worth noting that while you can extend the cargo carrying capacity to a huge 1,350-litres, the 60:40 split rear seats don't fold completely flat.
Although perhaps not quite so generous in the cubbyhole department as some rivals, the new Octavia still provides numerous places for your bits and bobs including a large glovebox and storage tray under the the front passenger seat, plus the mandatory bottle and cupholders. Fit and finish around the cabin is excellent with a high quality look and feel to the fabrics and plastics.
Seating is comfortable and stacks of movement in the two-way adjustable steering column plus driver's seat height adjustment combine to provide an excellent driving position facing a neatly laid out dash. Overall vision is superb - no recourse to the £260 optional parking sensors should be needed here.
The Octavia Sport also comes with the benefit of switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) to help keep drivers more safely on the long and winding roads while its dynamic DNA is illustrated by distinctive front and rear bumpers, front fogs and a twin chrome exhaust.
Power wise, the Octavia Sport offers either the VW-sourced two-litre 150bhp petrol engine or diesel urge via the two-litre 140bhp TDI PD which is also available with the clutchless Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission.
Paired with the well sorted, very slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, the two-litre diesel engine does everything you would expect from a VW-sourced oil-burner boasting the legendary TDI badging.
Using its 140bhp and some hefty torque to good effect, the 0-62mph dash is available in well under 10 seconds, maximum speed, where legally allowable, tops out at 129mph and, depending upon individual driving style, there is the promise of almost 50mpg over the official combined driving cycle.
Sharing the same chassis as the Mark 5 VW Golf, the new Octavia Sport is a very fine roadway companion and, although the Sports suspension is a little on the firm side, it's certainly not unforgiving, dealing effectively with uneven surfaces without compromising ride quality.
Agile and superbly stable through the bends, the Octavia combines the punch of the diesel engine and impressive athleticism to provide a comfortably refined ride for all, particularly over the long haul.
While perhaps not such a sexy looker as some of its rivals, the Octavia is a hugely competent car, boasting upper medium space and comfort at lower medium segment prices plus agreeable running costs.
With plenty of the fun factor thrown in for the driver to enjoy, it should attract even more buyers to Czech out its undoubtedly high family sector credentials.
FAST FACTS
Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Sport 5dr
Price: £17,115
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 129mph
0-62mph: 9.6 secs
Combined mpg: 49.6
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 154g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 3yrs paint; 10yrs anti-rust