A high-performance car with an unassuming exterior, one that looks far more ordinary than it really is. It slips into everyday traffic unnoticed, its true capability hidden on purpose. To those who don’t know, its speed and power come as a real surprise. That, my friends, is the very definition of a sleeper.

And while sleepers ruled the streets back in the ’80s and ’90s, the trend today has flipped completely. Flashy add-ons, oversized badges, and “sporty” trims now dress up even the most basic models. That is, until you come across one of these, the Skoda Octavia RS.

Amidst a sea of overly sporty SUVs and angry-looking rivals, the Octavia appears almost restrained. Even after its mild facelift to keep things current, the angular lines and classic three-box sedan shape give it one of the most unassuming silhouettes you’ll find on the road today.

There are, of course, a few tells, the blacked-out trim, snazzier wheels, and subtle badging hint at a playful side. But it takes a true automotive otaku to really notice.

And yes, that badging: RS. Often short for RennSport or Racing Sport. But on this very rapid Skoda, it could (and should) just as well stand for Really Stealthy. With its 265bhp EA888 engine lifted straight out of the Golf GTI, things get moving very quickly in this otherwise sedate-looking sedan once your foot hits the floor. And when the front tyres finally stop scrambling for grip to put all 370Nm down, 100km/h arrives in just 6.5 seconds, quick enough to humble plenty of “faster-looking” cars.

That speed doesn’t come without sophistication either. Equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control, Skoda’s take on adaptive suspension, the Octavia’s ride and handling change noticeably as you toggle through the drive modes. Sport, understandably, serves up the firmest ride while delivering the tautest handling of the lot.

That said, there is a sense that the Octavia’s center of gravity sits somewhat high when hustling through bends, regardless of drive mode. While it can be slightly unsettling, it never detracts from the Octavia’s sure-footedness on the tarmac, no doubt helped along by its electronically controlled limited-slip differential, allowing for very quick directional changes and confident mid-corner corrections, much to the chagrin of certain Singaporean drivers whose specialty is accelerating the moment you try to overtake them. Something I notice happens quite often behind the wheel of this humble looking Skoda.

Steering feel, though, remains a touch vague, keeping you slightly removed from the experience. Response is still sharp and immediate, undeniably effective, if not especially stirring.

Speaking of which, once inside, one thing that immediately stands out are the generous equipment levels and solid build quality of the Octavia. Diamond-stitched sports seats, adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, and a 13-inch navigation-equipped infotainment system are all part of the package. Granted, while some materials (ahem, piano black plastics) do reveal the car’s more humble origins, there are plenty of thoughtful touches in the cabin to more than make up for them, the integrated umbrella holders in the doors, mobile phone pockets in the seat backs, handy hooks in the boot, and even properly lined door bins, an area we’ve noticed some premium manufacturers have started cutting corners. Overall, the Octavia’s cabin quality is such that there’s very little to suggest this is a brand positioned just below Volkswagen on the company’s brand hierarchy.

In terms of usability, Skoda has retained a good mix of physical buttons alongside its touchscreen interface, although using them seamlessly does take a bit of practice. The touchscreen itself is clear and responsive, with large text and equally generous touch areas that make for a relatively painless user experience. Worthy of praise too is the ability to customise what’s displayed on the main screen, something I certainly wish more manufacturers would adopt.

Boot space is certainly massive for a sedan, 600 litres (expandable to 1,555 litres), and easily accessible thanks to its large lift-back tail that opens wide, making it easy to load groceries, shopping, golf bags, or even the occasional set of wheels.

At S$269,900, the Octavia RS sits at the upper end of Skoda Singapore’s lineup, yet it still manages to slightly undercut the Volkswagen GTI while coming in noticeably cheaper than both the BMW 316 and the Audi A5 sedan. It might not have the same visual drama or brand cachet as its rivals, but it more than makes up for that with its hidden talents,the kind only those in the know will truly appreciate. As the saying goes, beware of the quiet ones.