Škoda sweeps 2025 Auto Express Awards

Leading the charge was the new Elroq, which was named Best Mid-size SUV of the Year. The second Škoda to be built on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform, the Elroq impressed the judges with its broad skill set and intelligent design. Explaining why it proved unbeatable in its category, the Auto Express test team said: “It offers impressive performance and all of the practical touches that Škoda is now famous for to make it a front-runner in the family electric car class. An SUV-sized car for hatchback money, the Elroq is impressively spacious compared with similarly priced alternatives.”

While the Elroq took its first Auto Express wins, the Octavia added to its impressive collection of award silverware by taking top honours in the fiercely competitive Family Car category. Summarising the Octavia’s appeal, Auto Express’s road test team said: “In some ways, the Škoda Octavia has transformed significantly over the years, but in the key areas where it excels – comfort, practicality and value for money – it hasn’t. Few family cars offer this much space, let alone combined with such a comfortable driving experience.”

The Octavia’s latest win makes it one of the most successful models in Auto Express awards history. It was crowned Auto Express Car of the Year and Family Car of the Year in 2021, while the estate model took the honours in the Estate Car of the Year category in 2021 and 2022.

Another Škoda adding to its already sizeable award collection was the new Superb, which again proved unbeatable in the Best Estate Car category. Repeating its victory from 2024, the Superb wowed the judges with its practicality and unbeatable value. Explaining why the Superb took top honours, the Auto Express road test panel said: “The Superb Estate delivers on space, quality and cleverness just as strongly as the previous model. There have been thoughtful improvements to the interior design and to the hybrid powertrains to boost efficiency and lower running costs. It roundly covers all the bases a family car buyer looking for something with additional practicality could want. For those not taken with an SUV, the Superb Estate makes for a brilliant package.”

Completing Škoda’s quartet of category wins, the new Kodiaq took a comfortable victory in the Large SUV sector. In another dominant performance, the Czech SUV impressed the judges with its practicality, driving experience and attention to detail. Confirming its status as the best large SUV on sale, the judging team said: “We’re fans of the second-generation Škoda Kodiaq because it builds on the proven formula of the original model. It’s spacious, efficient and features plenty of clever touches, while the cabin has taken a step upmarket when compared with the original. A cargo volume of 2,035 litres is among the best of any seven-seat SUV on sale.”

Summarising Škoda’s exceptional performance across all categories, Auto Express Editor Paul Barker said: “It was another fabulous year for Škoda at the Auto Express New Car Awards, picking up four class wins as well as the big prize of Auto Express Car of the Year for the brilliant new Elroq. Škoda is building great cars no matter what segment you’re shopping in, and the new models continue to go straight to the top of the class.”