Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2023 Skoda Octavia facelift: specs, prices and release date

Skoda is testing out its updated Octavia in hatchback and estate guises

The Skoda Octavia is one of our favourite cars. We like the current one so much we even gave it our coveted Car of the Year award in 2020, but Skoda isn’t resting on its laurels because a facelifted Octavia is due to launch later in 2023. 

A refreshed Octavia is expected to be unveiled later this year and we’ve already caught it testing in both hatchback and estate body styles.

Advertisement - Article continues below

From our spy shots we can see the fourth-generation Octavia will keep plenty of the outgoing car’s styling. The hatchback model we’ve spied looks like a higher specification than the estate and we can see a different lower grille with side air intakes in the same vein as the hot vRS models. 

The sportier vRS will feature larger alloy wheels, red brake calipers and black door mirrors. The rear is entirely covered by camouflage but it looks like it will have new rear lights, and a revised rear bumper and spoiler. 

The estate model features a new front bumper and headlight design as well as smaller alloy wheels and body-coloured door mirrors. There’s more camouflage to the rear, but with a simpler rear bumper design to the hatch. 

Skoda Octavia platform and engines

Underpinning the new Skoda Octavia will be the same MQB Evo platform as the current car, so we can expect the same range of powertrains to feature. Kicking off will be the 108bhp, 1.0-litre petrol three-cylinder engine, then the 1.0-litre mild-hybrid version of that unit which will come with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Above those there’s the 1.5-litre TSI petrol with 148bhp, which is also available as a mild hybrid

Skoda is likely to retain the selection of 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel powertrains, made up of 114bhp, 148bhp and 197bhp versions. Then there’s the 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 1.4-litre petrol with plug-in hybrid technology – both come with 242bhp. Four-wheel drive should again be available on some of the more powerful models. 

We expect the Octavia will update its infotainment system, made up of a central 10-inch touchscreen set-up with sat-nav, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay and a 10-inch driver’s display screen. The system itself will borrow plenty from the Volkswagen Golf - which itself received an infotainment upgrade in 2022.

The facelifted Octavia should be fully revealed later this year. Pricing is yet to be announced but there’s likely to be a small increase on the current model’s £24,540 starting price.

Check out more Skoda news and reviews here...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

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
New electric Skoda Octavia will go on sale alongside combustion-powered options
Skoda Octavia exclusive image

New electric Skoda Octavia will go on sale alongside combustion-powered options

The first electric version of Skoda's popular family car will be previewed by a concept later this year
News
25 Jun 2025
Volkswagen Golf alternatives: great options for family hatch buyers
Volkswagen Golf alternatives - header image

Volkswagen Golf alternatives: great options for family hatch buyers

The Volkswagen Golf is often thought of as the default family car, but there are plenty of other models to consider in this class
Best cars & vans
10 Jun 2025

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025