Skoda Octavia review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The interior of the Octavia is a lesson in sensible, user-friendly design. The dashboard is clean and logical, with all the controls exactly where you’d expect to find them. The build quality is excellent, with high-quality materials that give the cabin a solid, durable feel that’s very similar to its cousin, the VW Golf.

Most recent models come with a slick touchscreen infotainment system, which includes DAB radio and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you can use your phone’s apps for navigation and music directly on the car’s screen. Higher-spec models get a larger screen and a digital driver’s display, adding to the modern, upmarket feel.

Comfort

The Octavia is a very comfortable car, especially on long motorway journeys where it feels quiet, stable, and refined. The seats are supportive, and there's plenty of adjustment for both the seat and steering wheel, making it easy to find a perfect driving position.

Around town, the ride can feel a little on the firm side, meaning you might feel bumps and potholes more than in some rivals. It’s not uncomfortable, but it lacks the sophisticated smoothness of more expensive cars. Some models are available with adaptive suspension (called Dynamic Chassis Control), which allows you to soften the ride for extra comfort.

Quality

The quality of the Octavia’s cabin is one of its most impressive features. It feels very well put together, using materials that are on par with those found in a Volkswagen. Everything feels built to last, from the solid-feeling switchgear to the hard-wearing seat fabrics. It might not have the flair of a Peugeot 3008, but it exudes a sense of robust, dependable quality that’s very reassuring in a family car.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

When it comes to space, the Skoda Octavia is the undisputed champion of its class. It’s incredibly roomy inside, with huge amounts of head and legroom for passengers in both the front and back. Even very tall adults will have no trouble getting comfortable in the rear seats, which is something you can’t say about many of its rivals.

This cavernous interior makes the Octavia a fantastic family car. There’s loads of room for fitting bulky child seats, and the wide-opening doors make access easy. It’s also packed with Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ features, like an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap and an umbrella under the passenger seat on some models.

Boot space

The Octavia’s boot is simply massive. The hatchback version offers a gigantic 590 litres of space, which is more than you get in many estate cars from the class above. It’s big enough to swallow pushchairs, holiday luggage, or a huge weekly shop with ease. The hatchback-style boot opening also makes loading large items much easier than in a traditional saloon.

If you need even more space, the Octavia Estate is also available, which increases boot capacity even further. Whichever version you choose, you’ll be getting one of the most practical cars on the road.

Versatility

With its huge boot and spacious cabin, the Octavia is one of the most versatile cars you can buy. The rear seats fold down to create a van-like load area of 1,580 litres, which is perfect for those trips to the DIY store or for moving large items. The sheer amount of space and the thoughtful, practical touches throughout the cabin make the Octavia incredibly easy to live with every day.

Driving

Driving experience

The Octavia is a safe, comfortable, and predictable car to drive. It’s not designed to be a thrilling sports car, but it’s a very competent and relaxing companion for everyday driving. The steering is light, which makes it easy to park and manoeuvre in town, and it feels stable and secure on the motorway.

While it handles corners neatly and safely, it doesn’t have the same fun, agile feel as a Ford Focus. It’s a car that prioritises comfort and ease of use over driver excitement. For the vast majority of family buyers, this sensible and reassuring approach is exactly what they’re looking for.

Performance

There’s a wide range of engines to suit all needs, shared with other cars from the Volkswagen Group. The petrol range often kicks off with a small but surprisingly capable 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, which is great for town driving. The 1.5-litre petrol offers a brilliant blend of performance and economy, making it a popular all-rounder.

For high-mileage drivers, the diesel engines are a great choice. The 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI engines are strong, smooth, and incredibly economical. For those who want high performance, there’s also the brilliant vRS model, which is available with a powerful petrol or diesel engine and offers hot-hatch thrills in a practical family package.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

The Octavia is a very affordable car to run, thanks to its range of efficient engines. The diesels are the champions of fuel economy, with the 1.6 TDI capable of achieving nearly 60mpg in official tests. The petrol engines are also impressively frugal, particularly the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre units.

CO2 emissions are competitive across the range, which helps to keep annual road tax bills low. Insurance groups are also reasonable, making the Octavia a sensible choice that won't break the bank.

Value for money

Value is at the very core of the Octavia’s appeal. It’s priced competitively against smaller hatchbacks like the Ford Focus and VW Golf, yet it offers the space of a larger car like the Ford Mondeo. Standard equipment is generous, with even entry-level models getting a touchscreen infotainment system, air conditioning, and alloy wheels. It represents a huge amount of car for the money, especially on the used market.

Reliability & Warranty

Skoda, as part of the Volkswagen Group, has a strong reputation for reliability, and its cars consistently perform well in owner satisfaction surveys. The Octavia feels like a solid, well-engineered car that's built to last. From new, Skodas come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

Safety

Safety features

The Skoda Octavia is a very safe car, achieving the maximum five-star rating when crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP. It’s a solid and secure choice for your family.

All modern versions come with a good level of safety kit, including automatic post-collision braking, which helps to prevent a secondary impact after a crash. Many models also feature advanced driver assistance systems like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a driver fatigue sensor to help keep you safe on the road.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The Octavia is available in a wide range of trim levels. The range typically starts with S and SE, which are well-equipped with alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, and electric door mirrors. SE Drive adds features like satellite navigation and parking sensors.

SE L is a popular choice, adding more luxurious touches like microsuede upholstery, privacy glass, and adaptive cruise control. Sportline models get a sportier look with larger wheels and black exterior trim, while the top-of-the-range L&K (Laurin & Klement) is packed with luxury features like leather upholstery, heated seats and a premium sound system.

Engines

You’re spoilt for choice with engines in the Octavia. The petrol lineup includes a 1.0-litre, 1.5-litre, and 2.0-litre TSI units, offering a great mix of efficiency and power. The diesels are typically 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI engines, which are perfect for long-distance drivers thanks to their fantastic fuel economy.

The high-performance vRS models get their own powerful 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. Most engines are available with either a slick manual gearbox or a quick-shifting DSG automatic.

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