After a decade of modest success, Skoda is now racking up the sales it deserves in this country as more buyers see the company offers a range of very appealing cars.

A lot of the credit for this recent upswing in the company’s fortunes can be attributed to a balanced and largely refreshed range of models that are well suited to our driving conditions. In Europe and the UK, Skoda is a real sales success and I sense the brand is now on the journey to achieving similar results in this country.

It won’t happen overnight, but I’m quietly confident it will happen as word spreads about what a good drive and buy Skoda cars are these days. They should be better than most, as they are made from components that come the same parts bins as those used Audi and Volkswagen models. Volkswagen has owned Skoda for over 20 years.

One of the most important models in the Skoda stable is the mid-sized Octavia, with the third generation of this best seller launched here in the latter part of last year. It offers more in most departments over its predecessor including performance, refinement, space, safety and technology. There are a wider range models based around the five door lift back and station wagon body styles that are carried over from the previous models. All the engines except the 1.8 litre petrol have also under gone significant power upgrades.

As if all of this wasn’t enough to tempt prospective buyers, prices have on average fallen by around $2000 compared to the old model. Not only is this latest Octavia an exceptionally well rounded car, it also represents exceptional value for money, with prices starting at $34,900 for the entry level Ambition liftback. From there, they climb all the way to a smidgen over $52,000 for the high performance RS wagon. The wagon has been a stronger seller than the liftback on our market and given it now cuts in third generation form a more dashing figure, it should remain the model of choice for the majority of buyers.

I test drove two wagon versions of this newest Octavia. One was the base Ambition version with the 2.0 litre turbo that retails for $40,300. The other wagon I clocked drive time in was the RS that came with the biggest reputation and price tag at $52,200 tag.

Both turbo diesels impressed, although one did more than the other and it’s not the one you might expect. On paper, the RS enjoys a 25kw power advantage over the 110kw motor used in the Ambition wagon, yet on the open road the RS never felt as though it was that much more potent. Given the massive amount of pre-match publicity swirling around what this much vaunted performance king of the Octavia wagon range, I found it slightly underwhelming. I think the petrol version of the RS using the same 165kw 2.0 litre turbo charged motor from the highly acclaimed Volkswagen Golf GTi, is the real performance hero in the Octavia stable.

For its smooth, effortless power delivery and excellent and instantaneous throttle response, the 110kw turbo diesel in the Ambition wagon gets my vote. It seals the deal with its superb flexibility and extraordinary pulling power in the higher gears. There were a few hills where I found the motor needed to kick back into a lower gear. Neither engine suffered from any irritating engine noise or wearisome droning at highway speeds on long trips. The only audible sounds I detected was some gentle wind rustle gnawing away around the A pillar, plus varying degrees of tyre rumble over coarse chipped surfaces. These were the major contributors to the on-road sound tracks of both wagons.

A Volkswagen-designed DSG automatic in both test wagons delivered swift and accurate gear changes. This transmission seems to have the ability to read what the engine and driver are up to, interpret what it all means and then 99 percent of the time make the right gear changing call for any given driving situation.

You don’t need a tape measure to see this Octavia is bigger in every direction than the outgoing model, with noticeably more front and rear legroom. Further back, the already a voluminous rear cargo area, balloons out to warehouse like 590 metres.

Standard features on the Ambition set the standard for a wagon in this price category, with front fog lamps, electric heated and folding exterior mirrors, alloy wheels and USB and auxiliary ports. The RS also comes with full leather trim, nine airbags. LED daytime running lights, satellite navigation and sits on aggressive looking 18 inch alloys, that reflect its go hard and fast image.

The RS also packs some seriously good safety smarts. There is technology that helps the car from straying out of its traffic lane and also has the ability to avoid a rear end impact with another vehicle. On board radar can detect when a pending rear end hit job is looming, if the driver is to distracted to have noticed, then slows the vehicle, before things get ugly, bent and very costly.

The low-slung sports suspension that underpins the RS has the inherent staunchness expected from a wagon created for the enthusiast driver. Having said that, it manages to provide just enough suppleness and absorbency to soak up rougher road surfaces without making the vehicle occupants feel as though they had a couple of cycles in a tumble dryer.

For every day driving, I would find easier to live with the softer suspension settings, strike a ride and road holding compromise of the Ambition wagon than the road gladiator tuned suspension used in the RS.

What's the verdict? A great value for money high performance, high quality Euro wagon with the turbo petrol version particularly quick and nimble.