What to buy: Liftback or Wagon?

[Vlad Tepesz]

Hi.

I’m thinking about getting Skoda Octavia RS but not sure which one.

Liftback or wagon?

Wagon seems like a bit more practical option. But it costs extra and I’m concern about noise level.
Any thought?

Thanks.

[brad]

I have the liftback & it's far more practical than the previous 2 sedans & Cabrio that I had but if I was doing it again I'd stump up the extra dollars for the wagon. Better shaped cargo area & roof rails.

Also the liftback hatch goes higher than the wagon, so you have to be careful if you park in low ceiling carparks.

[dru]

We also wanted to get the wagon but found the liftback to look more sporty! The space in the boot is great, but there are days I wish I did have the wagon.

Whichever you decide, you'll be happy with the RS

[K1W1]

I'm not sure what you would put in a wagon in the real world that you couldn't get into a liftback. Sure the wagon has more space if you just use measurements but the extra space in the wagon is behind and above the rear seat top and you really have to ask yourself how often will that space be needed.
The extra noise will be there each and every km you drive, the missing space might be a problem once or twice during your ownership.
Having said that I think the wagon is a really good looking vehicle and if you were buying on looks and you preferred the wagon then I'd agree that you had made a good choice. If you are buying on the extra carrying space I suspect that like most people you are wasting your money.

[Gnat]

Have the Liftback too.
= Sporty
= Huge usable boot space
= Doesn't look like I have dogs or kids (well, I dont anymore!)

[JP-009]

Wagon for me

There has been plenty of times that I have had stuff in the back that has protruded into the the space that is restricted by the hatch. It hasn't taken the whole space behind the headrests, but without the wagon - this stuff could not be carried. Odd shaped stuff like bikes, chairs, etc where one bit sticks up.

I am sure that just because I can, I do. The extra space is available, so it gets used. Often, I don't need to take the trailer because of the height of the cargo area. Especially for weekend trips away.

I do use the roofrails fairly frequently too, so the wagon suits me even more.

Noise is not an issue for me in the wagon. The cargo 'blind' is good for hiding stuff that you do not want seen.

I've had it for two and a half years now, and do not regret spending the extra for the wagon at all.

But, horses for courses - it is your choice.

Hope this helps.

JP

[dArK5HaD0w]

I'm not sure what you would put in a wagon in the real world that you couldn't get into a liftback. Sure the wagon has more space if you just use measurements but the extra space in the wagon is behind and above the rear seat top and you really have to ask yourself how often will that space be needed.
The extra noise will be there each and every km you drive, the missing space might be a problem once or twice during your ownership.

+1
my exact reasoning.

plus i'm not old enough for a wagon!! hehehehe.

.......each to their own

an advantage the wagon has over the liftback is the extra 12v power outlet in the boot. i wish i had that in the liftback.

[zach]

i bought the wagon based on looks though I don't have an RS which does look good in either body but still prefer the look of the RS wagon v liftback.

[Vlad Tepesz]

i bought the wagon based on looks though I don't have an RS which does look good in either body but still prefer the look of the RS wagon v liftback.

I prefer the look of wagon too, but I'm not sure my preference is worth ~2k plus extra noise.

[Jake02]

Looked at the wagon, but found that the extra bootspace is above the window line (as K1W1 touched on) so unless you're filling it fully, there's really no reason to buy the wagon (other than looks which I regard to be less sporty but overall classier than the liftback), especially for that $2k extra price ask. In saying that, I'd probably actually buy the wagon again because I've had the liftback already .

[Vlad Tepesz]

. In saying that, I'd probably actually buy the wagon again because I've had the liftback already .

not helping!

[Makk]

I bought a wagon (1.8TSI)...I'm traditionally more into sedans & hatches as far as looks go, but the octavia wagon has a nice balanced look, especially from the side.
As a drummer, boot space was very important to me. The liftback has a great boot too (same size?) and I could have easily been happy with it but the chance for a nice square area was too good to refuse for objects that stick up awkwardly. Trips to Ikea with back seat passengers!

Another factor for me was the rear visibility - I think it's really great in the wagon, all around.
When I drove the liftback I found it to be not as good due to the pillars.
I had a Mazda 3 hatch previously, I found that akin to peering through a porthole - in the Octavia with the huge rear vision mirror and side mirrors, there's almost no blind spot!

[Jake02]

not helping!

I am fully aware of this .

[onyertod]

IMHO the wagon looks a whole lot better than the liftback. The roof rails are handy.
The liftback is more akin to a hatch rather than a conventional sedan.
I wonder, with the cargo blind closed, how much noiser if any, is the wagon over the liftback in everyday use?

[MarksVRS]

Wagon hands down!

No-one has mentioned the loading height and rear door opening although I doubt the access in the hatch is anywhere near as convenient as the wagon. In 18 months of ownership I have use the WHOLE wagon space many times, and the extra $2k will be a blur in the past as soon as you get behind the steering wheel.

And I am sure there is not much difference in noise between the hatch and wagon, as the hatch still does not have a completely separate boot anyway. Either way, it is nothing that you cannot fix with a couple of spare hours and some sound deadening....