Skip advert
Advertisement

Car of the Year 2020: Skoda Octavia

The Auto Express Car of the Year for 2020 is the Skoda Octavia

To be crowned Auto Express Car of the Year, any vehicle has to have a special blend of talents that set it apart from not only rivals in its class – seeing it crowned a category champion – but also all of the award-winners from the different sectors we judge. The Skoda Octavia is that car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’ll be a plug-in hybrid version joining the range in time, but the Octavia also proves that a pure-combustion engine vehicle still has the ability to be brilliant.

A range of efficient petrol and diesel engines means there’s lots of choice, while even the relatively high-spec trims on offer at the moment, shortly after the Octavia went on sale, still have the Czech brand’s trademark focus on value, offering lots of practicality at an affordable price.

Yet it’s clear Skoda has an eye on the future, and the tech in this Octavia will underpin the model’s success for years to come. That’s because there are more semi-autonomous driver-assistance systems, with tech that should allow the Octavia and its platform to be further developed to offer more of these features in the future as legislation changes.

Here and now, the updated infotainment is excellent, with plenty of connectivity and clever tech, such as the smart climate-control feature and up to five USB-C points to keep gadgets charged. Skoda knows this will be a car people depend on, and such kit is what modern families are after.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Space is another key commodity it has vast reserves of, in either hatch or estate forms, hence both versions winning awards already. This shows how versatile the car is and that, pretty much, there’s an Octavia for everyone. A hot vRS will join the range soon, with petrol, diesel and plug-in powertrains.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But the Octavia hasn’t won for the models in the pipeline. It’s claimed overall victory for its mix of real-world attributes that car buyers want. It combines space and practicality with affordability and efficiency, tech and kit with refinement, comfort and solid driving dynamics, a new-found premium feel with robust, solid build quality and bags of usability. It’s a brilliant all-rounder; it’s our brilliant Car of the Year for 2020.

New Car Awards 2020: the winners

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best hatchbacks to buy 2025
Best hatchbacks - header

Top 10 best hatchbacks to buy 2025

We’ve selected our top 10 best family hatchbacks so you don’t have to
Best cars & vans
9 Jul 2025
Three car garage: Jaguar I-Pace, Land Rover Discovery and Skoda Octavia award winners, all for £45k
Three-car garage - 45,000

Three car garage: Jaguar I-Pace, Land Rover Discovery and Skoda Octavia award winners, all for £45k

A Jaguar I-Pace, Land Rover Discovery and Skoda Octavia are a fantastic group of former Car of the Year winners
Features
7 Jul 2025
Family Car of the Year 2025: Skoda Octavia
Family Car of the Year 2025: Skoda Octavia

Family Car of the Year 2025: Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia is the 2025 Auto Express Family Car of the Year, with the Citroen C4 and Dacia Jogger commended
Awards
2 Jul 2025
Auto Express New Car Awards: all the previous winners
New Car Awards 2024 header

Auto Express New Car Awards: all the previous winners

A look back at previous winners of the Auto Express New Car Awards
Awards
27 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025