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Fourth generation of Skoda's family car gains tech- and style-focused updates without sacrificing key strengths

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Few cars encapsulate the spirit of the brand that produces them like the Skoda Octavia. Whether in hatchback or estate form, the model has become known for its understated charm, all-round practicality and tremendous value for money. 

The formula clearly works: across four generations since it was launched in 1996, Skoda has now sold more than seven million Octavias, making it easily the firm's best-seller. And the values of the Octavia have seeped into the brand's whole line-up today.

The appeal of the Octavia continues to centre on its outstanding versatility, rather than its driving dynamics

The history of the Octavia essentially charts Skoda's growth under Volkswagen Group ownership. It sits on the group's MQB platform, which it shares with the Volkswagen Golf, and its storied history showcases Skoda's rise from budget brand to a credible mainstream player. 

The fourth-generation Octavia arrived in 2020 as an altogether more mature offering than previous generations, with bolder styling and a plusher interior. And it’s now been given a mid-life facelift, with subtly refreshed exterior styling, an upgraded infotainment display inside and a revamped powertrain line-up – including a new entry-level petrol.  

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DESIGN & STYLING

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Skoda octavia side

There's something of an old-school charm about the Octavia. In an era when buyers are flocking to SUVs and car firms are pushing plug-in hybrid and electric cars, it's offered as a hatchback and estate, and with only the merest hint of mild-hybrid electification. No shame in that: Skoda is playing to this car's strengths, and there's still huge appeal for such cars.

Underneath its sharply drawn exterior, the Octavia uses the versatile MQB platform that it first adopted in 2012 and is now used extensively across the Volkswagen Group – albeit in a lightly modified form, with added rigidity and stiffness to its hot-formed steel and aluminium structure.

The fourth-generation Octavia retains the 2686mm wheelbase of the car it replaces but, in a move aimed at providing greater interior accommodation and more load-carrying space, it has grown moderately. The hatch measures 4698mm long, 1829mm wide and 1470mm tall, while the estate is stretched to 4705mm.

The retention of the MQB platform means many of the 'hard points' of the third-generation Octavia are also carried over, such as the electromechanical steering system and the suspension, which uses a combination of MacPherson struts up front and either a torsion beam or multi-link arrangement at the rear, depending on the model, but all with detail changes aimed at making the car more comfortable. There have been some minor tweaks for the facelift because of updated safety regulations.

Overall, there are four chassis options, with top-spec models offered with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that features the Driving Mode Select system. The Sportline cars have a 10mm-lower ride height, while bringing adaptive damping and a range of different driving modes that allow you to alter the characteristics of the steering, damping and throttle mapping.

Skoda has mirrored the developments brought to the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf, alongside which the Mk4 Octavia was conceived, by providing the car with a reworked electric architecture. With this comes more advanced active safety systems, including optional adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance with level-two autonomous functions, as well as matrix LED headlights (optional on Sportline models, standard on the forthcoming vRS models).

The visual changes made to this car have been kept purposefully light, although there are new designs of LED lighting and a revamped bumper. It’s subtle, almost too subtle, but remains distinctive, and it shouldn’t alienate the many fans of the Octavia.

INTERIOR

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Skoda octavia interior

With the fourth-generation model, the Octavia took a clear step upmarket, with plenty of premium-looking trim and technology on display in the cabin. That’s been further emphasised by the 2024 facelift, which brings in changes introduced on other VW Group models that use the MQB platform.

The most notable is that the Octavia now gets a 13in central touchscreen, and all UK models also have a 10.25in digital instrument display. The infotainment features redesigned graphics and the system is generally clear and simple to use.

The system comes with a permanent internet connection that allows for features and services from Skoda Connect, and also features a ChatGPT-aided AI digital voice assistant.

While the touchscreen has grown, there are still a useful number of physical buttons, on both the lower reaches of the dashboard and the steering wheel. The slightly contentious volume control slider is here, but given you can also adjust the sound with a rotary dial on the steering wheel spoke, that shouldn’t worry you too much.

The cabin feels hugely spacious for a car of this size. Adults will have plenty of room in the back, whether it's in hatch or estate form, and there’s a bright, open feel throughout. Dual-zone climate control is standard, and Skoda has also promised a function that will turn on all the in-car heating features (front and rear windscreen, steering wheel and seats) with a single button press. 

Even the entry-level SE Technology car comes equipped with sat-nav, a rear parking camera, heated front seats, wireless charging and smartphone mirroring, as well as 16in alloys. Despite its full roster of equipment, though, you will pay more for a similarly specified Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus.

The facelifted Octavia also includes new upholstery, trim and door panels. Skoda trumpets the use of sustainable materials, including recycled fabrics in the seat and trim materials. The cabins of both the SE Technology and Sportline models were pleasant places to be. If anything, the matt effects of the SE Technology trim looked and felt nicer than the faux-carbonfibre dash effect featured on the Sportline models.

Another example of Skoda’s sustainability push is found with the leather seats offered on certain trim levels, which are tanned using coffee husks from beans used by the staff at the firm’s Mlada Boleslav factory. They consume around 25 tonnes of coffee a year, if you were wondering.

On the subject of sustainability, that now extends to two of Skoda’s most popular ‘Simply Clever’ features: both the umbrella hidden in the door and the ice scraper in the fuel cap are now made from recycled plastics.

The Octavia has long found appeal because of its practicality, and both the hatch and estate retain a large boot. The hatch has a 600-litre storage compartment and the estate's stretches 640 litres. That gives the Octavia a substantial boost over class rivals such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

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Skoda octavia engine bay

The revised Octavia comes with a range of five four-cylinder engines: three petrol units and two diesels. At launch, only front-wheel-drive models will be offered, with a high-performance vRS coming later, as well as an all-wheel-drive version.

The previous entry-level three-cylinder engine that was offered with the fourth-generation Octavia has been replaced by a 114bhp 1.5-litre TSI unit, which drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. A more potent 147bhp TSI unit is also offered.

Both those powertrains are also available with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox that features an integrated mild-hybrid unit. While it doesn’t change the output, the mild-hybrid system can be used to boost efficiency and smooth acceleration by providing extra power and it enables engine-off coasting.

A 2.0-litre TDI diesel will continue to be offered, either as a 114bhp manual or in 148bhp tune using the mild-hybrid DSG automatic.

The vRS version will have 261bhp and 273lb ft from a 2.0-litre four-pot, which it will share with the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The 4x4 will use that engine in detuned, 201bhp form, while the diesel vRS is no longer offered.

The 114bhp petrol is pleasingly smooth and quiet, and the six-speed manual is crisp to use. That said, the unit does need to be worked somewhat to get the best out of it and it can occasionally struggle if you call for extra power at motorway speeds. It is still a pleasant and relaxing unit to drive, though, and ideal for most use cases.

The mild-hybrid 1.5, meanwhile, is a quiet and frugal unit, with the efficiency-boosting electrical assistance helping it to average 52mpg during our time with it. On longer motorway journeys and with the drive mode set to Eco, it will hit 70mpg.

While the engine alone provides enough power to keep up with other traffic, like the entry-level unit it can start to feel asthmatic in the upper reaches of the rev range.

Another gripe we have with it is that it is irritatingly slow to respond at lower speeds. Not much happens when you initially apply some throttle, but thereafter the motor delivers a burst of acceleration that causes the front wheels to spin. Not only is this embarrassing, but it also makes it very difficult to drive smoothly in traffic or a built-up area.

This issue is mostly ironed out in the diesel by its extra torque, however, and you can easily feel its power throughout the rev band. As a result, it serves as a reminder of the strengths of the fuel: unobtrusive, untroubled long-haul cruising. It’s a refined and quiet unit that's capable of making effortless progress, with near-seamless interaction between the combustion engine and the mild-hybrid system.

It’s not rapid by any stretch of the imagination and can become a bit breathless beyond 4500rpm, but it manages to deliver fairly vigorous acceleration when you load up the throttle in lower gears, thanks to its 265lb ft peak of torque at 1600rpm.

Both the petrol and diesel feature relatively tall gearing, which helps considerably when it comes to constant motorway cruising, married to the impressively smooth mechanical refinement. 

RIDE & HANDLING

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The Octavia’s dynamic traits mirror the performance of its engines: there’s a quiet competence to the whole thing that makes for unruffled, pleasing progress. The emphasis is on the overall ease of driving, while the handling is controlled but never excitable. Operate within the car’s limits and it’s satisfying in almost every situation. Just don’t expect much in the way of all-out athleticism. 

The steering isn’t exactly alive with feel and feedback, but it’s accurate and suitably weighted for the Octavia’s positioning. There’s a distinct lightness to the steering wheel at low speeds that makes for excellent manoeuvrability around town and it weights up nicely for greater engagement at higher speeds.

The Octavia corners with a good deal of agility. Turn-in is crisp and precise, while body roll is pretty well controlled, with progressive movement as lateral forces rise. 

Even when fitted with 18in wheels instead of the standard 17in versions, the car is still smooth and unruffled, although on coarser surfaces there is a small amount of jostling, which should be less apparent on smaller wheels, based on our previous experience of the pre-facelift Octavia.

Sportline models with Sports suspension and a ride height lowered by 15mm sacrifice some rolling refinment on rougher roads, although the ability to adjust the drive modes offers some compensation. And buyers will still find little to complain about.

MPG & RUNNING COSTS

Skoda octavia front three quarter

The entry-level TSI petrol hatch has an official economy figure of 49.5-54.3mpg, and our experience suggests it is possible to get close to that. 

The 1.5 mild-hybrid car, meanwhile, can reach truly impressive levels of frugality in the right conditions. With the car in Eco mode and sticking to motorway speed limits, you can expect to see north of 70mpg.

Meanwhile, the 2.0 TDI estate with the mild-hybrid system has a claimed economy of 57.6-62.7mpg, which, allied to a 45-litre fuel tank, makes it a true long-range warrior. Expect to be able to get close to 500 miles out of a tank.

It comes in four standard trim levels, all of which will be offered on both hatch and estate models. There are also a number of Design selection interior options.

The line-up starts with SE Technology, priced from around £26,500 for the hatch and a little more for the estate. That will include 16in wheels, LED front and rear lights, and heated front seats. 

SE L models will start from just over £30,000 (hatch) and just under £32,500 (estate) and gain 17in wheels, animated rear lights, artificial leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control and other driver assistance features.

Sportline trim will be offered with the more powerful TSI powertrain and will be priced from around £32,600 (hatch) and around £33,300 (estate). As well as bespoke Sportline design features, the lowered sport suspension and dynamic steering, there are 18in wheels and gloss black trim pieces.

For fleet buyers, the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine will be the best bet, with great economy and a 27% CO2 benefit-in-kind tax band making it competitive with the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Honda Civic.

VERDICT

Skoda octavia front three quarter

There’s nothing particularly dramatic about this mid-life facelift of the Octavia: instead, there are a few well-placed changes and updates that serve to strengthen its overall package.

The Octavia is not exactly the last word in excitement but it does everything it’s designed to do very well. It's a potent blend of practicality, refinement, space and value for money, now mixed with a decent dash of premium allure. It captures the spirt of the Skoda brand – and more importantly offers excellent all-round family motoring.

It's also as easy to drive as it is to get comfortable in. It has massive boot space and even its entry-level engine doesn’t feel underpowered. Combine all that with this round of targeted updates and you have an already good car that has been made even better.

Jonathan Bryce

Jonathan Bryce
Title: Editorial Assistant

Jonathan is an editorial assistant working with Autocar. He has held this position since March 2024, having previously studied at the University of Glasgow before moving to London to become an editorial apprentice and pursue a career in motoring journalism. 

His role at work involves running Autocar's sister title Move Electric, which is most notably concerned with electric cars. His other roles include writing new and updating existing new car reviews, and appearing on Autocar's social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

Skoda Octavia First drives