Speeding in a Skoda

"I got caught speeding in a Skoda, but got let off because the copper was laughing too much."

How many Skoda jokes are there? There must be hundreds and I've certainly told more than my fair share. Thing is, are they still a joke? They're no longer the comedy-fodder little boxes they were in the past. They're just cheap Volkswagens with a different badge aren't they?

Well, I'm not afraid to admit this: I was able to drive a new Skoda Octavia and it's a pretty decent motor.

Hands-up, I wasn't expecting much and the "knock off VW" phrase was in my head - it's based on the new Golf after all, but inside this car really feels solid and comfortable and there's enough room in the cavernous boot to fit all those old Skoda jokes and a weekly shop.

I've yet to drive a Golf but the marketing for this, not to mention the salesman, all say this handles equally well. What I can say is that the new Octavia doesn't sweat the bumps or curves and the 1.8 I drove does nip along at a fair pace, plenty enough pace to speed.

There's even the 170bhp, 2.0 TDI PD vRS Octavia with a top speed of 140mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds which means those jokes about the rear-wiper being there to get rid of flies that crash into it are now irrelevant? Even the Paramedics are using Skodas now and they're not likely to go for a motor that dawdles getting to the scene.

Looks wise, well, it's not one that makes a daring change from the norm, but that's the point, isn't it? Skodas used too stand out like a sore thumb whereas now they're just as styled and polished as every other new car. The only thing that makes it obviously a Skoda is the badge, which just shows how ballsy VW are in keeping the brand alive.

Plus there's more reasons to consider a new Skoda now, they've picked up a bevvy of awards lately including that most hallowed JD Power customer satisfaction award which means they now use the phrase "a Skoda driver is a happy driver."

It looks it's the case that Skoda are now having the last laugh at those who once told the jokes by producing quality cars that silence the critics. It's still a shame about the badge though.