Skip advert
Advertisement

Skoda Octavia GreenLine review

Skoda Octavia GreenLine promises 88mpg, but demands a few compromises

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,549 off RRP*
Find your Skoda Octavia
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Skoda Octavia GreenLine isn’t particularly exciting to look at, or drive, but if your priorities are value for money, interior space and low running costs, it’s hard to fault. The dynamics are just as polished as the standard car’s, as is the interior, while fuel economy shows the outer edges of what’s possible in a combustion-engined car. It represents everything Skoda stands for, which makes it the pick of the range.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If there’s one thing you expect from a new Skoda GreenLine model, it’s a big improvement in running costs. But along with impressive gains in economy and CO2 emissions, the new Octavia GreenLine promises more power and a step up in performance, too.

It uses the same 1.6-litre diesel engine you’ll find in other versions of the Skoda Octavia, but with an extra 5bhp, which takes the total to 109bhp – plus there’s a six-speed manual gearbox in place of the standard five-speed.

It’s enough to knock one-tenth-of-a-second off the 0-62mph time, but more importantly, the headline figures are 88.3mpg and 85g/km of CO2, matching the VW Golf BlueMotion as the most economical non-hybrid car in its class. Being a Skoda, though, it’s also a lot more spacious and cheaper.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Octavia

2019 Skoda

Octavia

41,653 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,999
View Octavia
Octavia

2024 Skoda

Octavia

33,400 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £14,700
View Octavia
Octavia

2020 Skoda

Octavia

55,861 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £10,400
View Octavia
Octavia

2015 Skoda

Octavia

87,000 milesManualDiesel1.6L

Cash £6,350
View Octavia

Fitting an extra ratio in the gearbox and adding fuel-saving technology such as stop-start, low-rolling-resistance tyres and brake energy regeneration has enabled Skoda to dramatically improve efficiency over the 74.3mpg and 99g/km 1.6 TDI standard model on which it’s based.

The newcomer also obliterates the previous Octavia GreenLine’s claims of 64.2mpg and 114g/km of CO2. As a result, it’s exempt from tax, plus has some of the cheapest company car costs of any diesel, with a 14 per cent Benefit in Kind rate.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Given such phenomenal economy, you might imagine that the driving experience has become a bit rough around the edges, but that’s not the case. Okay, so the engine can feel a bit sluggish when you let the revs drop, but when you get going it provides decent shove, without too much rattle from under the bonnet. The steering is light and precise, the manual gearshift has a well oiled action and the tyres offer lots of grip in corners, despite their slightly harder compound rubber.

If we have one complaint, it’s that the ride doesn’t feel as cosseting as a Golf’s. Show the GreenLine a relatively smooth surface and it will waft along with little fuss, but hit a bump and less sound deadening means you not only feel the jolt, but hear it too. The interior is simple, and only available in black, but the fit and finish is excellent.

All models come with a responsive 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, climate control, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors, but sat-nav is on the options list. It’s £550 for the most basic set-up or £1,350 for the Columbus system, with a bigger eight-inch screen.

The amount of passenger and luggage space is second to none. A 590-litre boot is in a different league to the Golf’s 380 litres, and it expands to 1,580 litres with the seats down – just 40 litres behind the Golf Estate.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Octavia

Skoda Octavia

RRP £21,750Avg. savings £2,549 off RRP*Used from £11,300
Skoda Superb

Skoda Superb

RRP £35,925Avg. savings £2,890 off RRP*Used from £10,295
Skoda Scala

Skoda Scala

RRP £18,965Avg. savings £1,845 off RRP*Used from £7,999
Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £1,554 off RRP*Used from £8,900
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025