Corolla more comfortable and better appointed but Skoda is built to last

The Corolla's interiors immediately impress you with its contemporary design and upmarket feel. The clever use of lighter shades and a two-tone theme that extends to the door pads, seats and lower half of the dash livens up the insides. What gets your attention is the large, high-mounted sound system and six-CD changer which is standard on the 1.8 G/1.8 E versions. The central console has logically laid out switches but the fake wood doesn't stand up too well to closer examination and the switches themselves don't feel as meaty as the Octavia's. The electro-luminescent dials look great at night, however we occasionally wished we could have dimmed them, especially when driving on a dark highway. The front seats are ample and comfy but we wish they were a touch firmer especially on long drives. As the steering and seats have a wide range of adjustments, it's easy to find a comfortable driving position.

Passengers at the rear are also extremely comfortable as legroom, seat width, seat height and support, especially under-thigh, are excellent. If the rear seat is where you're going to be most of the time, look no further than the Corolla.

The short VW Golf wheelbase on which the Octavia is based hampers comfort at the rear of the Skoda. Legroom is less and the angle of the seat and seat back is compromised as a result. Things are however quite different at the front. The seats are massive, extremely well bolstered and you don't feel tired even after hours of driving. However, unlike the Corolla which has a cab-forward design, the Octavia's insides don't give you that same sense of space. The Octavia's dashboard is much closer to the driver and feels 'in-your-face' when you step into it after driving the Corolla.

Though the Octavia's cabin doesn't look or feel as rich as the Corolla's, it is extremely well built. The thick dashboard switches, airvents, and click of the glovebox all give an impression that the Octavia has been built to last. The large round black-on-white dials are very easy to read and typify the sense of functionality usually associated with cars of German origin.

Equipment levels are a mixed bag in both cars. The base 1.8 J Corolla does not get climate control, only a good old air con, four-speaker cassette deck and no fog lamps. The E and G versions come with useful features like electrically retractable mirrors, in-dash six-CD changer and climate control.

The Octavia's trip computer is one of the best around and is standard even on the base 'Ambiente' version. Another interesting feature but not very essential for our country are the heated wing mirrors.

The Octavia's sound system is not as well-speced as that of the Corolla and an in-dash CD player is not even an option. Also the optional leather trim in the 1.8 G Corolla feels much more luxurious than the half-hearted leather option on the Elegance version of the Octavia. An electronic climate control system is standard on the higher versions of both cars.

Skoda Octavia

front seats are excellent and adjust well too.

Skoda's cramped rear and upright set a tight squeeze

Solid build of Octavia is carried over to the facia, exudes quality but is uninspiring due to mass of grey.

Toyota Corolla

front seats are not as comfy as Octavia's.

More legroom and better seat results in more rear comfort.

Fresh design is complemented by good finish, well chosen colours, but plastics could be better built.