Skip advert
Advertisement

2024 Skoda Octavia facelift shown in new sketches

The evergreen Skoda Octavia’s subtle facelift will be revealed in full on Feb 14th

The facelifted 2024 Skoda Octavia will be revealed in full on 14 February. But if you can’t wait that long the Czech brand has decided to give us one final sneak peek in the form of a few design sketches.

Clearly previewing the new Octavia’s aesthetic, its changes look to be subtle and in keeping with the brand’s existing underlying design language. Key changes include a new set of LED headlights that bleed into the black surround framing a subtly reshaped grille. These sit above a reshaped bumper with vertical ducts at their outer edges, which will likely help clean the air as it flows around the front wheels.

 A hot vRS model will also debut alongside the mid-life refresh, likely featuring unique alloy wheels, body styling and red accents throughout. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Octavia is part of a major update to all MQB-based models across the wider VW Group, including the recently revealed Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5. We expect the two cars to use much of the same interior technology, although Skoda’s focus on retaining physical switches for the climate controls and a number of other functions will likely stand – something Volkswagen has reverted to with the latest Golf.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Octavia’s 10-inch central touchscreen, could be replaced by a 10.4-inch touchscreen or even a 12.9-inch unit in higher-spec versions - should it borrow the same set up from the facelifted Golf. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity will remain, but we expect tweaks to the infotainment display, albeit limited to new graphics or menus.

As for the powertrains, given that the Octavia sits on the same MQB platform as the VW Golf, there’s no chance of an all-electric Octavia just yet. The cheapest versions will most likely stick with the 108bhp, 1.0-litre petrol three-cylinder unit, while those with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox will also benefit from fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology. A more powerful 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI four-cylinder will also be offered.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology has featured on the current Octavia since 2020. The new Skoda Superb PHEV has a larger 25.7kWh battery, but it’s unlikely we’ll see this carried over to Octavia, although modest increases in range and efficiency aren’t out of the question. The Golf plug-in hybrid models recently received a battery expansion from 10.6kWh to 19.7kWh and it wouldn’t be too surprising to see this unit used for the Octavia PHEV to increase its range from 35-40 miles up to around 60 miles. 

As we’ve seen with the new Superb and Kodiaq, Skoda hasn’t forgotten about diesels. With the Octavia we expect to see the same selection of 2.0-litre turbocharged diesels with either 114bhp, 148bhp or 197bhp. The mix of petrol, diesel and PHEV vRS models should also be carried over.

Precise UK specs will be revealed after the Feb 14 reveal  but there will probably be a small increase over the current Octavia’s starting figure of just less than £26,000. Estate models will continue to command a premium of around £1,000.

Click here for the latest Skoda news and reviews...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior staff writer

Senior staff writer at Auto Express, Jordan joined the team after six years at evo magazine where he specialised in news and reviews of cars at the high performance end of the car market. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car Deal of the Day: Bag our Family Car of the Year for less than a £180 a month
Skoda Octavia UK - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag our Family Car of the Year for less than a £180 a month

There’s no better family car right now than the Skoda Octavia, and it’s our Deal of the Day for 15 July
News
15 Jul 2025
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

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
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
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025