Skoda Octavia (2020) Review

November 2019

New Skoda Octavia revealed

Skoda has revealed its new Octavia - with bigger dimensions, a premium interior and a range of engines, including mild and plug-in hybrids. Prices are expected to start in the region of £20,000 when it goes on sale early next year.

Unsurprisingly, the latest Octavia takes a similar approach to the new Volkswagen Golf - a car with which it shares its underpinnings. By moving upmarket and growing in size, the Octavia is distancing itself from Skoda's recent Ford Focus rival, the Scala.

The interior is noticeably classier than its predecessor, with an abundance of soft-touch materials, a touchscreen infotainment display in the centre of the dash (available in sizes from 8.25 to 10 inches) and LED ambient lighting. Massage seats are available as an option, as is a head-up display - a first for Skoda. Buyers can also select an updated 10.25-inch virtual cockpit digital display instead of conventional dials.

Available as both a hatchback or estate, the Octavia continues to be one of the most practical offerings on the market. The hatch has a 600-litre boot (up 10 litres compared to its predecessor), while the estate has 640 litres of luggage space (up 30 litres).

In terms of engines, buyers are offered the usual 1.0- and 1.5-litre petrols, now available with mild hybrid tech (provided you opt for the DSG automatic gearbox). This uses a 48-volt belt-driven starter motor and lithium-ion battery pack to recuperate energy normally lost under braking, allowing the car to coast with the engine off at certain revs.

There's also a 2.0-litre turbodiesel, available with a variety of power outputs from 116 to 200PS, while a plug-in hybrid combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. Badged the Octavia iV, this produces a total of 204PS and uses a 13kWh battery to provide an official range of up to 34 miles when fully charged.

For the first time, the DSG automatic gearboxes uses shift-by-wire technology to electronically transmit the driver's gear selection to the transmission. This means there's a small rocker switch for selecting drive modes on the centre console in place of the conventional DSG lever.

Full LED matrix headlights are now offered as an option, while high spec models will get LED tail lights as standard. There's a host of safety systems including collision avoidance assist, turn assist and a local traffic warning function. Up to nine airbags are fitted as standard.

Being a Skoda, the new Octavia also comes packed with what the brand calls 'Simply Clever' features. These include smartphone storage pockets in the front seatbacks, an umbrella and hand brush in the front doors and a funnel integrated into the lid of the windscreen washer tank.

Prices for the new Skoda Octavia are yet to be confirmed but we'd expect it to start from around £20,000 - making it marginally more expensive than the outgoing car. We'll find out more ahead of orders opening early in 2020.

May 2020

Skoda Octavia priced from £22,390

The new Octavia range launches with two body styles, two special First Edition trim levels and three engine options. Prices range from £22,390 for the 1.5 TSI 150PS SE First Edition hatch model to £29,515 for the 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG Estate SE L First Edition.

Additional derivatives and powertrain options will join the range later this year, including an entry level S trim, a 1.0 TSI engine available with a manual transmission, the introduction of mHEV (mild hybrid) DSG on both the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI, and PHEV (plug-in hybrid) models. A sporty vRS model, available in diesel, petrol and PHEV, will also be added to the range. The Octavia vRS iV will be the first ever electrified vRS model.

The launch range consists of three value-packed trim grades: SE First Edition, SE Technology, and SE L First Edition. To celebrate the launch of the most advanced Octavia ever, all First Edition models incorporate exceptionally high equipment levels with a host of technologies and safety systems.

Octavia SE First Edition – from £22,390 OTR

In terms of safety systems, the SE First Edition comes with Front assist, Lane assist and e-Call system that automatically alerts emergency services in the case of accident. SE First Edition models also feature an infotainment system with 8.25” touchscreen display, eight loudspeakers, and full smartphone connectivity. The cabin features five USB-C ports, including one in the rear-view mirror for connecting to a dashcam. Prices for the Octavia SE First Edition range start from £22,390 OTR for the 1.5 TSI 150PS hatch model.

Octavia SE L First Edition - from £25,150 OTR

Positioned at the top of the new Octavia launch range is the SE L First Edition. SE L First Edition models ride on striking 17-inch Rotare AERO alloy wheels, while the exterior is distinguished from other models in the range by chrome window surrounds and a chrome strip in the lower front bumper.

Inside, SE L First Edition models come with microsuede upholstery, heated front seats and LED ambient lighting, along with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory and lumbar support. ŠKODA’s feature-laden Columbus infotainment system is also standard, and comes with voice control, Remote Access and Infotainment online (1year). In terms of safety and assistance systems, the SE L First Edition comes with Blind spot protection, front and rear parking sensors with manoeuvre assist and Adaptive cruise control with follow to stop. Drive mode selection and keyless entry on all four doors with start/stop are also standard fit on all SE L First Edition models. Prices for SE L First Edition models start from £25,150 OTR for the 1.5 TSI 150PS hatch.

Octavia SE Technology – from £22,640 OTR

Octavia SE Technology models are aimed at business users and add 16-inch Twister AERO alloy wheels, range-topping Columbus infotainment system with 10-inch touchscreen display, Remote Access, and Infotainment online (1 year). SE Technology buyers also get voice control and front and rear parking sensors with manoeuvre assist. Despite the significant specification boost over the SE First Edition, prices for the SE Technology start at just £22,640 OTR for the 1.5 TSI 150PS hatch model.

The new Octavia range launches with three engine options with power outputs ranging from 115PS to 150PS. The petrol option is a 1.5 TSI 150PS while the entry-level diesel offering is a 2.0 TDI unit that develops 115PS. Both drive through a six-speed manual gearbox. SE L First Edition customers have the additional option of a 2.0 TDI 150PS engine that comes with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard. More engine and transmission options will be added to the new Octavia range as the line-up expands throughout 2020.

The new fourth-generation Octavia will be open for order in June with cars in dealers from July.

June 2020

2020 Octavia gets new safety tech designed to prevent collisions with cyclists and pedestrians.

The fourth-gen Octavia will feature Exit Warning (as part of the Blind Spot Detection system), which alerts drivers and passengers if there's an oncoming cyclist so doors aren't opened into their path. Cameras on the new saloon are able to observe potential hazards to the rear of the vehicle up to a distance of 35 metres and at angle of approximately 120-degrees.

Additionally, Predictive Cycling Protection triggers a series of warnings to the driver if a cyclist is detected ahead – and will even engage the emergency brakes if necessary to avoid a possible collision.

From November 2020, a Turn Assist feature will be available too. This uses on-board cameras to monitor oncoming traffic when turning right at a junction, as well as identify cyclists and pedestrians. If immediate danger is detected when executing a manoeuvre, the vehicle will be brought to a complete standstill, triggering the warning signal and preventing a possible collision.

Finally, Collision Avoidance Assist uses the front cameras to detect an impending accident and perform a controlled, evasive manoeuvre around the hazard, be that a cyclist or another vehicle. The system uses real-time data provided by cameras and radars to calculate the safest trajectory.