Skoda Octavia review

Is the Skoda Octavia a good car?

A recent update for the Skoda Octavia tweaked the looks, but nothing much changed in terms of whether you should buy one; if you need a hugely practical family car that’s comfortable, refined, good to drive and well-equipped, then the Octavia should be near the top of your shopping list. 

The Octavia is available in hatchback and truly cavernous estate forms, and it’s the former that we’re focusing on here. It’s Skoda’s biggest-selling car – more than seven million units have been shifted in the Octavia’s 28-year lifetime – and it has now reached the mid-life refresh of its fourth generation.

How much does the Skoda Octavia cost?

In some ways, the Skoda Octavia has transformed significantly over the years, but in the key areas where it excels - comfort, practicality and value for money - it hasn’t. The fourth generation arrived in 2020 and was given a handful of styling changes and a revised engine range earlier in 2024. However, it’s still the same high-quality family car with a huge amount of space that it always has been.

The current Octavia was crowned Auto Express Car of the Year and Family Car of the Year in 2021, and the estate model took the honours in the Estate Car of the Year category in 2021 and 2022. The facelift arrived while the car was still at the top of its game, so the revisions - a refreshed look and updated tech - didn’t need to be major to keep the car competitive.

The most notable tweak to the range is the arrival of a ‘low-power’ 1.5 TSI petrol engine. This replaces the previous 1.0 TSI three-cylinder, and is the same four-cylinder motor that’s found elsewhere in the range, but it has been detuned to make 114bhp (5bhp more than the 1.0 TSI) and 220Nm of torque. The result is a smoother and more responsive unit that offers similar fuel economy. The more powerful version of this engine has 148bhp and 250Nm of torque.

Both engines come with the option of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic gearboxes, with the latter featuring mild-hybrid tech to keep emissions down. There’s also a 2.0-litre diesel with 114bhp in manual form and 148bhp in automatic form, though the diesel auto doesn’t come with the mild hybrid set-up. 

The Skoda Octavia vRS models will be available with a 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine. We’ve loved previous versions, but we’ve not tried the facelifted car yet.

Although the Octavia is still available as a five-door hatchback or estate, Skoda has trimmed the trim levels slightly, with SE Technology, SE L and SportLine options available. Prices for the well-equipped SE Technology start from around £27,000, which is a similar entry point as the Volkswagen Golf – a car that was previously sold at a price premium. Higher-spec SE L and SportLine versions with the most powerful engines come in around £35,000 mark, while the vRS is closer to £39,000.

Under the skin, the Skoda Octavia sports an engine line-up that shares much with other VW Group stablemates. The powertrains have benefitted from a sensible dose of rightsizing, too, which sees the 1.0-litre TSI superseded by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit as part of the facelift. 

The range kicks off with the 1.5 TSI producing a grunty 220Nm of torque, which means that it feels more lively than the 114bhp maximum power output would have you believe. Above that sits a 148bhp version of the same 1.5 TSI unit, adding a further 30Nm of torque to boost in-gear flexibility. 

These engines also dictate the trim level you must have, because the less potent version is only offered with the entry-level SE Technology, while the more powerful choice becomes available in SE L and SportLine trims. Automatic versions get mild-hybrid tech to improve fuel economy by as much as 4mpg over the manual gearbox option that goes without. 

Diesel choices come in the form of a pair of 2.0-litre turbocharged units that produce either 114bhp and 300Nm or 148bhp and 360Nm. The latter makes that peak torque figure from just 1,600rpm, offering excellent real-world flexibility. In this instance, the lower-powered unit has a six-speed manual transmission, while the latter is equipped with a DSG automatic.

At the top of the Octavia range sits the hotter vRS. In its latest incarnation, this version is more powerful than ever before, producing 262bhp from its turbocharged four-cylinder EA888 petrol engine. Peak torque is 370Nm, all of which is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

What is the Skoda Octavia like to drive?

In town

The Octavia is a big car for the class – it’s almost 4.7 metres long – and most of that extra bodywork is hanging out the back, which means positioning the rear in a tight parking space requires a touch more care than in some rivals. Fortunately, front and rear parking sensors are fitted on all trim levels. Meanwhile, the Skoda’s steering is light, as is the clutch pedal for the slick manual gearshift. The automatic gearbox can be a little jerky when moving off, however.

On A- and B-roads

On the move, comfort is the name of the game for the Czech hatchback. There’s not much driver involvement to be found because the steering doesn’t offer much feedback, and the chassis feels a little nose-heavy. A soft suspension set-up delivers great ride comfort.

The Skoda’s suspension is among the most supple examples in the segment, and relaxed damping means the car tends to float across bumps rather than thump into them. It’s at its most relaxing in base models, where modestly sized 16-inch alloy wheels and a generous tyre sidewall help to soak up most imperfections in the road. 

Sporty vRS aside, straight-line performance isn’t outstanding (the vRS gets a unique chassis tune, which makes it much more engaging through the turns), but the engine line-up scores well for overall refinement, and the petrol and diesel variants all deliver smooth, consistent power. 

On the motorway

Those engine traits work well at high speeds, where the engines’ low-down responsiveness means that the gearbox doesn’t need to be worked too hard to maintain speed up steep hills or when performing overtakes.

While straight-line stability at 70mph isn’t quite as unshakeable as a Volkswagen Golf – the standard-setter in this class – it’s still a superbly refined and relaxing place to be. One or two alternative models are marginally more refined, but road noise is kept fairly low in the Skoda, similar to the Golf.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

As part of the facelift, the entry-level 1.0 TSI engine has been replaced by a smoother and more powerful 1.5 TSI four-cylinder. The entry-level version has a 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 126mph, while the 148bhp version of this engine cuts the 0 to 62mph time to 8.5 seconds, and the top speed increases to 142mph.

Those seeking a diesel can go for the 2.0-litre TDI unit. The 114bhp/300Nm version manages 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds, while the more powerful 148bhp/360Nm variant does the same in 8.5 seconds. The top speed of the former is 132mph, while the latter manages 141mph.

The sporty Octavia vRS is the quickest from 0-62mph, with the 261bhp model capable of 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, and goes on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

At just under £27,000, the Skoda Octavia range has a fairly modest starting price when compared with many of its most popular competitors, and undercuts the entry-level version of the Volkswagen Golf by around £250. While Skoda’s badge might not have the same appeal to some, you’re getting a physically larger car for less money, so that seems like strong value.

It’s a shame that diesel has been so demonised in recent years, because the Octavia proves a modern diesel can still return mpg figures that even the most efficient petrols (or electrically assisted PHEVs) will struggle to match, especially on a long motorway run where the Octavia diesel will easily surpass 60mpg. That means it should be possible to top 500 miles on longer journeys despite a fairly modest 45-litre fuel tank. 

That’s not to say the petrol models aren’t impressive, though; expect fuel economy of 50-plus mpg on a similar journey, while those engines equipped with mild-hybrid tech cut the power for short periods and when coasting to minimise unnecessary petrol usage.

The Octavia vRS focuses more on performance than economy, but official figures in the 40mpg range are still pretty impressive for a model that’s not designed to be frugal.

Coming soon will be the plug-in hybrid Octavia iV, which will use the same powertrain as the VW Golf eHybrid and faster GTE. The 201bhp version manages a claimed 288.1mpg in the Skoda on the official test cycle, while the 242bhp version in vRS-spec can achieve up to 233.4mpg, and, when fully charged, should deliver up to 28 miles of all-electric range.

Tax 

Since the plug-in hybrid Octavia iV hasn’t landed in showrooms yet, the Octavia won’t be as great a choice for company car drivers as the plug-in versions of Peugeot 308 and Vauxhall Astra. The least expensive option for Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) drivers is the 1.5-litre TSI e-TEC SE Technology, which currently sits in the 27-per-cent bracket, which means basic-rate income taxpayers will face bills of more than £1,500 each year.

Insurance groups

Depending on which Octavia you choose, its insurance groups range between 14 for the 1.5-litre TSI SE Technology and 22 for the 2.0-litre TDI, all of which are roughly standard for this category of car. The powerful vRS model has a higher rating of 27.

Depreciation

Residual values are a little below the class average for the Octavia, particularly if you go for the higher-spec diesel models, which are predicted to hold onto barely 40 per cent of their initial value after three years or 36,000 miles. 

The safest bet financially is the base 1.5-litre petrol powertrain in SE Technology trim, which is predicted to maintain 46.5 per cent of its original price over the same time and mileage.

To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool...

The facelifted Skoda Octavia has revised daytime running lights, a sharper looking front bumper, fresh tail lights with animations, and some new alloy wheel designs and colour options to choose from.

The facelift also saw some trim level and engine changes. The base model is now SE Technology, which has 16-inch alloys - great for comfort - LED lights, umbrellas in the front doors, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, dual-zone air-con, keyless start, and heated front seats.

Mid-range SE L specification includes bigger 17-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control and front parking sensors, while SportLine models get 18-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, a black spoiler, tinted windows, chrome exhaust pipes and sports seats.

What is the Skoda Octavia like inside?

The fourth-generation Skoda Octavia took a noticeable leap forward in design over its predecessor when it was released, with the old car’s worthy but slightly dull design replaced with something much more contemporary. 

The horizontal dashboard arrangement – it does away with its predecessor’s monolithic central dashboard layout – is dominated by a large touchscreen display, with a few key short-cut buttons, such as shortcuts to the climate-control menu and driver-assist functions, located below the infotainment screen.

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Unfortunately, this means that the climate controls are primarily operated through the touchscreen. While it’s a logical set-up for its type, we’d still prefer to have physical buttons to work these functions.

What is the interior quality like?

The knurled thumbwheels on the two-spoke steering wheel, the slender chrome-finished door handles, and the soft materials that cover the dashboard all add up to make the Octavia’s understated and neatly laid-out cabin feel a cut above almost anything else in the class. 

It’s got the edge over the Volkswagen Golf, with only one or two alternatives, such as the Peugeot 308, able to deliver a similar sense of occasion. The buttons on the dashboard feel well damped, and the overall architecture looks sturdy. Even the font on the digital driver’s display is understated and classy.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

All versions of the facelifted Skoda Octavia have a 13-inch touchscreen. It’s very similar to the system fitted to the VW Golf, but it comes with unique Skoda graphics and colours. 

Over-the-air updates keep the infotainment system up to date with the latest navigation and traffic data for the standard sat-nav system, and also allows Skoda to introduce firmware revisions. The screen responds quickly to touches, and its interface is largely straightforward and easy to work out. Also included is wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a standard wireless charging pad.

There’s no volume knob, with a slider function located beneath the screen allowing you to adjust the level. This works okay; at least you can tap the slider to a point for your desired volume.

There are also no physical climate dials, with the dual-zone temperature controls integrated into the bottom of the touchscreen. There are pre-set climate-controlled commands to warm your feet or cool your face, but you can also set everything up as desired in a dedicated climate settings menu on the screen. Overall, having some of the climate controls on permanent display at the bottom of the screen is a positive step, but we’d prefer a few more analogue controls, such as the smart dials that feature on the Skoda Superb and Skoda Kodiaq.

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The Skoda Octavia has traditionally been one of the more practical cars in its class, and this latest version is still extremely roomy, even if there are some similarly sized electric vehicles and SUVs that offer comparable or better rear-seat accommodation. Factor in the Octavia’s gigantic boot, and few other models at this price point can compete with the space this Skoda offers.

​​No new Skoda would be complete without a range of the brand’s ‘Simply Clever’ items. Some familiar features have been updated; the umbrella mounted in the driver’s door and the ice scraper/tyre-tread depth gauge stored in the fuel filler flap are now made from more sustainable materials. Other features include a ticket holder on the driver’s side A-pillar and a handy AdBlue nozzle for diesel-powered cars all make life just that bit easier.

A new addition is the optional storage box; it comes as part of the £250 Family Package on SE L models and above, and brings a small storage area that sits between the centre console and the rear-seat bench. 

There’s plenty of storage in the cabin without this, though, with the individual door bins capable of holding a 1.5-litre drinks bottle and the front central ‘jumbo box’ also available for keeping assorted items.

There are five USB-C ports in the Octavia – two in the centre console, two in the rear, and a final charging port in the rear-view mirror for those who want to hook up a dash camera.

Dimensions and size

The fourth-generation Octavia has a larger footprint than the previous model, and the facelift hasn’t changed this, with the hatchback being 19mm longer and the estate growing 22mm in length when compared with the Mk3. Both cars are 15mm wider, too. 

The overall dimensions for the Octavia hatch are 4,698mm (length), 1,829mm (width, excluding mirrors), and 1,470mm (height). In comparison, the Volkswagen Golf is smaller at 4,396mm long and 1,789mm wide (excluding mirrors), although it stands a touch taller at 1,491mm.

Seats & space in the front

The driver’s seat and steering wheel feature a wide range of adjustments, making it easy for a huge variety of body types to get comfortable. Also helping on the comfort front are the seats themselves; they’re approved by the independent German organisation AGR, which promotes back health.

A deep cubby beneath the centre armrest, huge door bins and a pair of cup-holders hidden beneath a sliding cover all contribute to a driver’s environment loaded with useful storage spaces.

Seats & space in the back

Rear kneeroom is fairly impressive by the standard of this class, rivalling even some taller SUV-based family models such as the Nissan Qashqai, if not delivering quite as much as the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3, whose dedicated electric platform has created more space for people on a smaller footprint. 

The centre seat is wide and soft, but taller passengers on each side will find that the way the roofline curves inwards at the sides compromises headroom ever so slightly

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Boot space 

At 600 litres, the Octavia has the largest boot in its class by some margin. But the load bay isn’t just big, it has some useful features, too. Beyond a couple of bag hooks, there are also levers in the luggage area so that the rear seats can be easily folded down. 

Unlike some rivals, including the VW Golf, the Octavia hatchback doesn’t have a split-level load floor like you’ll find in some versions of the estate, which means that when those back seats are dropped, there’s quite a significant step left in the boot. Still, the Octavia offers a gigantic 1,555 litres of luggage space. 

Another small gripe is that the load lip is quite high when compared with some rivals. So even though there’s lots of space, getting the items on board is more awkward than it could be. The Skoda Octavia Estate addresses this with a variable height boot floor in SE L trim and above that removes the awkward loading lip. It also boasts a huge 640-litre load capacity with all five seats in place, and 1,700 litres of cargo space when you fold the rear seats down.

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Towing

The Octavia’s practical appeal continues with its decent towing capability. The entry-level 1.5 TSI has a braked trailer towing capacity of 1,300kg, while the more powerful 1.5 TSI 150 and the vRS have a maximum towing weight of 1,500kg. The 2.0 TDI 150 has the greatest towing capacity in the range of 1,600kg.

The Skoda Octavia didn’t feature in our latest 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but Skoda as a brand hasn’t wowed its customers according to the manufacturer rankings, taking a below-average 23rd-place ranking out of 32 manufacturers table of the 2024 Driver Power survey. While owners are happy with the boot space and rear legroom of their cars, feedback on the infotainment and safety systems is much less positive. 

Euro NCAP tested the Octavia in 2022 and awarded the family hatchback its maximum five-star crash safety rating. The Octavia received strong scores for adult and child passenger protection of 89 and 84 per cent, respectively.

The Octavia offers good levels of safety kit, with top-of-the-range cars featuring front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection and a head-up display. Optional safety technology on lesser models includes the Assisted Drive Package Plus, which adds blind spot detection, park assist and speed assist.

Warranty

Skoda provides a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty as standard, which is par for the course within the VW group. This can be extended to five years/100,000 miles at extra cost, but rivals such as Hyundai and Kia offer more extensive standard coverage. 

Skoda does include three years’ of breakdown cover with every brand-new model, though. That’s two more years than some rival models, including the Volkswagen Golf, can offer.

Servicing

Service intervals for the Octavia are every 12 months or 10,000 miles, and the manufacturer offers fixed pricing for all servicing and maintenance work.

Skoda Octavia alternatives

The Skoda Octavia shares its mechanical underpinnings, engines, and elements of on-board tech with the Golf, while there’s also the SEAT Leon rival within the Volkswagen Group family. Other competition includes cars such as the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, but the family hatch opposition doesn’t stop there, because customers in this class are also likely to be considering the Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed, Peugeot 308, and Vauxhall Astra. What the Octavia offers over all of its rivals, though, is greater boot space, courtesy of the car’s long rear end.