Skoda's fourth generation Octavia has been usefully updated. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

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 update is equally evident by the minimal changes made to the engine range. As before, the core of the line-up is made up of turbocharged four cylinder 1.5-litre TSI petrol or 2.0 TDI diesel engines, each with either 116PS or 150PS options. If you prefer petrol, Skoda would ideally like you to have your Octavia with the brand's e-TEC mHEV mild hybrid electrification, which requires use of DSG auto transmission. That's what we're trying here. If you still want a petrol manual, an un-electrified 1.5-litre 150PS green pump-fuelled powertrain's still available. When it comes to the 2.0-litre TDI diesel, well it's a straight choice between the 116PS version with manual transmission; or the 2.0 TDI 150PS drivetrain, which has to be had with the DSG auto. As for other Octavia engine options, well the previous entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine is no longer offered and, from the launch of this updated model, there was no sign of the iV PHEV petrol drivetrain either, though we'd bet on seeing that before the end of this car's life cycle. Another engine deleted as part of this model update was the uprated version of the 2.0 TDI diesel previously used by a version of the sporty vRS. vRS customers do now though, 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 is the only Octavia variant that gets the more advanced multi-link rear suspension system we referenced earlier and sits 15mm lower than the standard model on firmer sports suspension. 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. Once you get behind the wheel, you'll find the changes made this this updated MK4 model are as subtle as they were outside. If you happen to be familiar with the original version of this NX-era design, the main thing you'll probably notice is the new, larger 13-inch central screen; before perhaps going on to note the new recycled cabin materials and the steering wheel's smarter two-dimensional Skoda badge. 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. The 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instrument screen has now been standardised in its largest 10.25-inch size and, as before, can display in a choice of four graphic layouts that include twin dials and full-screen mapping. In the rear, as usual with an Octavia, back seat space is class-leading, thanks to this Octavia's unusually long 2,686mm wheelbase - that's 67mm lengthier than a Volkswagen Golf. As a result, it's more spacious in the back than any other family hatch-segment model - at least for legs and knees anyway. Out back, cargo space remains class-leading, though you'll only get a powered tailgate to access it if you avoid base trim. Once the hatch rises, 600-litres of space is revealed in the hatch - it'd be 640-litres in the estate.

Market and Model

Let's take a closer look at the Octavia line-up. The core trim level is 'SE Technology' and as we compiled this Review in late 2024, pricing was starting from around £27,000. The mid trim level is 'SE L', then the 'Sportline' version we tried, 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. If having considered all of that, it's an Octavia you really want, then you're going to need to know how generous Skoda has been with the standard spec, so let's take a look at that now. Base 'SE Technology' spec gives you most of what you really need; so 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED tail lamps, power-folding mirrors, all-round parking sensors and cruise control with a speed limiter. Plus there are the usual Skoda 'Simply Clever' touches like an umbrella in the door and an ice scraper built into the fuel filler flap, both of which have made the switch to sustainable materials. Inside, there's a 'Virtual Cockpit' 10.25-inch digital instrument display, dual-zone air conditioning, heated front seats, a 15W wireless phone charger and driver's seat lumbar support. Infotainment is dealt with by a 13-inch central touchscreen display with navigation, voice control, built-in ChatGPT and Skoda's wireless 'Smartlink' connection via 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Upgrade to mid-level 'SE L' model and you get 17-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, predictive adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, a power-operated tailgate with 'Virtual Pedal' swipe control, keyless entry, a heated front windscreen, boot netting, nicer microsuede/faux leather upholstery and (for the estate version) an electric sliding parcel shelf and a variable-height boot floor. The more dynamic-looking 'Sportline' variant further builds on that tally with 18-inch wheels, metallic paint, a gloss black spoiler, gloss black roof rails, chromed exhaust tailpipes, progressive dynamic steering, a sports steering wheel, sports seats and upholstery in fabric and artificial leather. Finally, there's top vRS trim, which gets you 19-inch wheels, full-LED Matrix headlights, vRS suspension that's lowered by 15mm, an electronically controlled limited slip differential for extra cornering traction, specific vRS bumpers and black tailpipes. Inside there's special vRS 'design selection' upholstery with carbon-effect decorative inserts.

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 efficiency figures - which we'll quote for the hatch body style; it's hardly any different for the estate. For the 1.5-litre e-TEC mild hybrid petrol engine we tried, you're looking at up to 112g/km of CO2 and around 57mpg on the combined cycle in both forms. For comparison, the un-electrified manual gearbox 1.5 TSI 116PS model manages up to 118g/km and up to 54.3mpg. It's instructive to compare those stats to those of the alternative 2.0 TDI diesel engine, which manages up to 66.2mpg and 112g/km in manual 116PS form - or up to 63.2mpg and up to 117g/km in its 150PS DSG auto guise. For completion, we'll tell you that the 2.0 TSI 265PS turbo petrol unit of the top vRS variants records bests of up to 40.8mpg and 158g/km. 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.