Skoda's fourth generation Octavia has been usefully updated. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The fourth generation version of Skoda's Octavia gets a light refresh as part of this Czech model's mid-term update. Once, this car was the least sophisticated of all the Volkswagen Group's family hatchback products. Not any more - thanks to mild hybrid electrified engine tech and cutting-edge media cabin provision. This car's still bigger and better value than most of its rivals, pretty much a Passat-sized medium range model for the price of a Golf-sized one. And it's clever enough, once again, to change the way you think about Skoda.

Background

You can trace the Skoda success story of the last few decades back to the original launch of one model: this one - the Octavia. Right from its very first appearance in 1996, this has been a car that's always super-sized its value proposition, offering more space than the class norm. For first and second generation versions, that class saw competition amongst Focus and Astra-class family hatches. The MK3 model of 2012 took a step up in the world, virtually big enough to compete with Mondeos and Insignias in the larger medium range segment and this fourth generation version, originally launched in 2019, has continued to offer that kind of proposition. In this updated form, launched in mid-2024, the MK4 Octavia has become more sophisticated than ever before - and cleverer too, as it has to be to distance itself from the simpler, but not much smaller Scala model that sits below it in the range. The Scala is the car to choose for Skoda motoring as it used to be, light on frills and cutting-edge technology but solid, reliable, value-laden and built to last. This improved Octavia, in contrast, is more a signpost to a direction the Czech brand wants to go in the future: one that shares the very latest technology with more luxurious brands in the Volkswagen Group stable.

Driving Experience

The subtleness of this car's mid-term is equally evident by the minimal changes made to the engine range. As before, the core of the range is made up of 1.5-litre TSI petrol or 2.0 TDI diesel engines, each with either 116PS or 150PS options. As previously, if you pay extra for the petrol unit with a DSG 7-speed automatic, you get the brand's mHEV mild hybrid tech thrown in. The diesel, which remains unelectrified, comes in lower-powered form with a manual gearbox and in higher-powered guise with the DSG auto. So far, there's no PHEV drivetrain available, but we expect one before the end of this car's life cycle. The previous entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine is no longer offered. Nor is the uprated 2.0-litre diesel in the vRS, though vRS customers do now get an upgraded version of the 2.0-litre TSI petrol unit - now with power boosted to 265PS, along with a sports exhaust that produces a more characterful sound. As previously, the vRS sits 15mm lower than the standard model on firmer sports suspension. It can't now be had with AWD though. Actually, AWD (once an Octavia calling card) is generally noticeable by its absence, though you can talk to your dealer about an AWD 2.0 TSI petrol variant with 204PS. As before, all Octavias use the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform - the evolved version of it engineered for the current MK8 Volkswagen Golf. Whatever flavour of Octavia you happen to prefer, it'll come with plenty of drive assist technology, including a standard Adaptive Cruise Control system that uses the car's front camera system, GPS data and a host of sensors to drive the car predictively. So when 'ACC' is set, the car knows in advance about bends, roundabouts and upcoming traffic flow, plus this Skoda will adapt itself to speed limits as you enter them.

Design and Build

You'd have to be quite a Skoda loyalist to notice the visual changes made to the updated version of this fourth generation Octavia. A subtly revised front grille is flanked by more angular restyled LED headlamps positioned above a pronounced crease in the front bumper that's supposed to present a visual reference to the Czech flag. Both front and rear bumpers have been revised too - to be more aerodynamic; which is the main reason why overall length of both hatch and estate models is up by 9mm. The rear LED lamp clusters have been redesigned too. And there are some fresh wheel designs. The changes are equally subtle inside. In fact, if you happen to be familiar with the original version of this fourth generation model, you won't initially notice any differences at all, unless you happen to notice the new recycled cabin materials, or the steering wheel's new two-dimensional Skoda badge. Or you've paid extra for the new larger 13-inch centre infotainment screen - now added as an option. There are hidden changes though; even the standard 10.25-inch centre screen now had flexibility and capability 'far beyond' the original monitor - and now incorporates ChatGPT artificial intelligence. Which means that if you ask it something it doesn't know, it'll go online to find the answer, then return it to you via the voice control. There are cabin charging upgrades too: the 'Phone Box' wireless charging mat now provides for up to 15W wireless charging; and the USB-C ports deliver up to 45W - triple the amount offered with the pre-facelifted car. For the instruments, the Digital Display is standardised at 10-inches. Otherwise, things are much as before. As usual with an Octavia, back seat space is class-leading. Three adults can be accommodated more easily in this car than in any other rival. And boot capacity remains class-leading, rated at 600-litres in the hatch, or 640-litres in the estate.

Market and Model

The core trim level is 'SE Technology' and pricing starts from around £27,000. The mid trim level is 'SE L', then 'Sportline', with the top of the range marked by the sporty vRS models. Whichever trim level you opt for, as usual, there's a premium of £1,000 if you want the estate rather than the five-door hatch. Choose 'SE L' trim and you'll be offered a wide range of cabin upgrade packages - 'Loft', 'Lodge', 'Lounge', 'Suite Black' and 'Suite Cognac' - using combinations of fabric and artificial leather. As usual with a Skoda, all variants get as standard a range of practical 'Simply Clever' features, a number of which (the ice scraper and the optional umbrella) have made the switch to sustainable materials. An extra storage box is now available for rear seat passengers and estate customers can now order an optional luggage cover that will retract when the tailgate is opened. There's loads of safety kit of course - and Skoda has updated the car's 'Attention and Drowsiness Assistant'. The brand's 'Collision Avoidance Assistance' autonomous braking system is standard across the range, along with lane departure warning (featuring steering assistance) and predictive cruise control, which works alongside a traffic sign recognition set-up. There are also new Park Assist features; and revisions to the keyless-entry system, with proximity sensors that now automatically lock or unlock the car as you approach or walk away from it. The other option you'll want to consider is the new, larger 13-inch centre screen which, like the smaller monitor, has a new ChatGPT version of Skoda's 'Laura' voice control system built into it (named after one of Skoda's founders, Vaclav Laurin).

Cost of Ownership

The efficiency figures are much as before, though Skoda claims that the volume 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine's turbocharger has been re-worked to improve economy and minimise thermal loses. As before, the mHEV mild hybrid system that's fitted to 1.5-litre TSI auto models doesn't make a huge frugality difference. To recap, it pairs a 12-volt belt-driven starter motor with a small 48-volt lithium ion-battery, which stores energy that's recuperated under braking. The setup assists the petrol engine with a small electric boost, while also enabling this Skoda to coast with the engine completely disengaged at speed on the highway, improving efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. You'll be wanting the WLTP emissions figures that'll determine this car's tax status. For the manual 1.5 TSI petrol, it's 121g/km (and 52.7mpg on the combined cycle). For the 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel DSG auto, it's 114g/km (and 64.9mpg). As for servicing, well as usual with Skoda models, there's a choice of either 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' maintenance packages. You'll choose the 'Fixed' approach if you cover less than 10,000 miles a year and with this, the car will typically be looked at every twelve months. If your daily commute is more than 25 miles and your Octavia will regularly be driven on longer distance journeys, you'll be able to work with a 'Flexible' regime that in the first two years of ownership could see you travelling up to 20,000 miles or waiting up to 24 months before a garage visit. A single inspection service every year or 20,000 miles will be required thereafter, whichever comes sooner. And warranties? Well the standard package is three years and 60,000 miles. We can't see why Skoda couldn't extend that mileage limit to 100,000 miles, since that what you get with a mechanically very similar Volkswagen Transporter model. Doing that though, wouldn't give Skoda dealers so much of an opportunity to sell extended warranty packages.

Summary

The Octavia name - based on the latin for 'eight' - is an almost inseparable part of Skoda's history, dating all the way back to 1959 when it arrived to designate the eighth design produced by the Czech brand following World War II. In modern era guise, Octavias have sold prolifically, enough, if placed end-to-end, to fill all three lanes of the complete M25. But many of those sales of course date back to a time when this was a slightly smaller and much less sophisticated car. Here's a version of this Skoda that's quite a lot more expensive and sophisticated. The Czech maker knows the kinds of people it's aiming at here and no longer wants to serve them as a 'value brand'. That market will be left to the Chinese. Instead, this manufacturer wants a higher quality image developed alongside higher quality products - cars like this one. The company looks forward to an era where the purchase of something like an Octavia is viewed not as a cheaper choice but instead as rather a clever one. That time may already have arrived.