For nearly 30 years, the Octavia has been at the heart of Škoda’s product line-up and has been a key pillar in the brand’s remarkable success. To date, more than seven million modern-era Octavias have been produced.
For nearly 30 years, the Octavia has been at the heart of Škoda’s product line-up and has been a key pillar in the brand’s remarkable success. To date, more than seven million modern-era Octavias have been produced.
The facelfited model features a redesigned front grille, headlights and rear lights, while the interior now incorporates Škoda’s innovative ‘Design Selections’ that give buyers greater freedom to choose their perfect look. Technology has also been upgraded across the line-up with the introduction of a new 13-inch infotainment display and Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display on every model in the range. Škoda has also simplified engine options to streamline the customer journey.
The facelifted Octavia is available to order with four trim level options: SE Technology, SE L, SportLine and vRS with all models available in hatchback and estate forms. These models join the Octavia First Edition model, a stock-only trim which will be the first variant to arrive in the UK in June 2024 and will be available for a limited time only.
Despite its position as the entry level model in the new Octavia range, the SE Technology comes loaded with equipment. The standard specification includes 16-inch Matar Aero alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights, heated front seats and 13-inch touchscreen display with satellite navigation and three years remote access and infotainment online. Living up to its name, the SE Technology also features Virtual Cockpit digital instruments, Wireless Smartlink for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as three times faster wireless phone charging at 15W with an inbuilt cooling function.
Practical design includes electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors and Keyless start/stop function. New safety features, found on the entry model upwards, include Turn Assist, which when the car is turning, sensors will detect oncoming cars and automatically brake if needed to prevent a head-on collision.
SE Technology models come with Loft Design selection as standard, with Lodge available as an option.
Building on the generous specification of the SE Technology model, the new SE L variant adds larger 17-inch Mensa Aero alloy wheels, LED rear lights with animated indicators. The Lounge Design Selection interior featuring microsuede and artificial leather upholstery comes as standard and the Suite Black Design Selection is available as an option. The SE L offers a two-spoke, heated, leather multi-function steering wheel and heated windscreen, customers also benefit from Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist Plus, Keyless entry with walk-away locking and an Electrically operated boot with Virtual Pedal.
The SportLine trim makes a welcome return to the Octavia range, introducing a new performance look inside and out. All SportLine models feature a bespoke SportLine Design selection that includes sports seats trimmed with fabric and artificial leather upholstery. Metallic paint, 18-inch Vega Aero alloy wheels and gloss black sports styling complete the design package, while Sports suspension (lowered by 15mm) and Progressive dynamic steering ensure that the Octavia SportLine delivers a suitably sporting driving experience.
The performance range-topper of the updated Octavia range, the new vRS comes with 19-inch Elias anthracite alloy wheels, full LED Matrix headlights and a bespoke vRS Design Selection interior. vRS customers also benefit from Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, vRS engine sound, Electrically operated boot and Keyless entry with walk-away locking as standard. Pricing for the new vRS models will be confirmed at a later date.
Available for a limited time, the First Edition comes with a raft of features including Full Matrix headlights, Rear View camera, sunblinds for the rear side windows and Tablet Holder on the rear of the front seats. First Edition models also feature a Lounge Design Selection as standard, along with Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Turn Assist and 17-inch Mensa Aero alloy wheels.
The updated Octavia features a new front end design with second-generation Matrix-LED headlights that incorporate new crystalline elements for the first time. The bumper and grille has also been updated with SE Technology and SE L models gaining a chrome strip in the bumper. Revised lower air intakes and Air Curtains complete the new front end design package.
At the rear, the Octavia now features LED lights with dynamic direction indicators, a new bumper design and badging that reflects the brand’s recently updated corporate identity.
Like other models in the Škoda range, the Octavia offers customers the chance to choose between a range of new Design Selections. Inspired by modern living environments, the Octavia’s Design Selections are more than just seat upholstery changes and come as a broader package of features that include décor strips, dashboard material and in some cases increased equipment levels. All updated Octavia models now come with a 13-inch infotainment screen, Virtual Cockpit, heated front seats, Traffic Sign recognition and wireless smartphone charging.
As before, the Octavia also delivers unrivalled practicality. Both hatch and estate variants offer exceptional levels of cabin space with boot capacities of 600 litres and 640 litres respectively. With rear seats folded, capacities rise to 1,555 litres and 1,700 litres.
Octavia customers can choose between five engine options with three petrol and two diesels forming the new line-up. The petrol range now starts with a 1.5 TSI unit available with a six speed manual gearbox and power output of 116 PS while the seven-speed DSG unit also includes mild-hybrid technology. From the SE L trim upwards there is a 1.5 TSI engine with a 150 PS power output that is available with manual gearbox or DSG automatic with mild-hybrid technology. The most powerful petrol engine in the revised line-up is a 2.0 TSI reserved for the range-topping vRS. It generates 265 PS and drives through a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard. For diesel customers, Škoda offers a 2.0 TDI unit with outputs of 116PS and 150PS with the higher output version coming with the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission. First UK deliveries of the facelifted Octavia are expected in the summer.