Skoda's large, sturdy and attractively priced Octavia works rather well with a 1.2-litre petrol engine installed.

The 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged direct injection unit offers performance and economy well in excess of its compact size. The basic specification is far from opulent and the Octavia will never be a head-turner but otherwise, it's a very hard car to fault.

The Volkswagen Group has had great success with its TSI turbocharged petrol engine technology.

From the high-performance 2.0 TSI in cars like the Octavia vRS and Golf GTI to the less intense 1.8 and 1.4 litre units that are now fitted throughout the group's family car model ranges, the TSI powerplants have consistently impressed with their free-revving performance and smooth power delivery.

Economy and torque are strong too.

In fact, the TSI engines share many of the characteristics that buyers value in diesel engines and the TSI acronym is fast assuming the dominance in the VW Group petrol range that TDI has over the diesel side of things. So, TSI turbocharged direct injection petrol engines are not units to be taken lightly, even with a 1.2-litre capacity in a vehicle of the Octavia's heavyweight dimensions.

Despite its size, the 1.2-litre TSI unit achieves 104bhp and an even more useful 175Nm of torque. That torque is available across a wide expanse of the rev-range from 1,550rpm all the way up to 4,100rpm, creating similar flexibility to that which you'd expect to get from a diesel engine.

Performance against the clock is far from lacklustre too. The Octavia 1.2 TSI can achieve 60mph from a standing start in 10.8s and will eventually hit a 119mph top speed.

The Octavia is a solid-looking, nicely sculpted car with more than a hint of Volvo in its design make-up. It's not one for buyers looking to make an impression with their choice of wheels but its size and quality will still secure the car its share of admirers.

Enhancements to the switchgear, entertainment systems and trim on the latest facelift work well.

There's a smarter steering wheel, classier instrument panel graphics and the option of a hi-tech touch-screen sat nav.

Overall then, the gap between this and the acclaimed interiors of Volkswagen and Audi products is not a big one.

If there's a lesson to be learned from the Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI, it's that in the modern car market, we needn't be as wary of the small engine, big car combination as we may have been in the past.

The impressive 1.2-litre TSI unit punches far above its weight with strong performance and economy that belie its modest capacity.

At the prices Skoda is asking for its large and roomy Octavia, this entry level model makes all kinds of sense.