Skoda keeps its compact Octavia fit with slight optical retouching. The large Czech car, which therefore only formally belongs to the compact class, is still quite fresh anyway. ntv.de ran the second series for the first time.
A so-called facelift can be a nice thing for a car manufacturer. Refreshing the model while keeping the cost of the changes as low as possible has the potential to bring in a wave of new buyers. And if you, as an existing customer, decide not to exchange your vehicle early, at least you won't have a completely old car on your doorstep. So everyone involved is happy? You could say it like this.
The design of the refreshed daytime running lights of the Skoda Octavia is quite striking. The LED headlights still come with Matrix technology as an option.
(Photo: Skoda)
The look of the newly updated Skoda Octavia has carefully evolved. In particular, the designers have now made the graphics of its daytime running lights much more eye-catching and thus a striking feature in the area of Front section placed without affecting the basic layout.
For the journalist who is supposed to discuss the revised product, the manufacturer always includes a little meanness. The marketing colleagues know exactly how to present certain features as premieres, for example in the context of new overall solutions, even though they may have already existed before. They emphasize that the new look headlight has adaptive matrix LED technology. But it was already in the old price list. But that's only on the sidelines.
Skoda Octavia has a long history
The first generation of the Skoda Octavia from the late fifties is a feast for the eyes.
(Photo: Skoda)
Before I continue to inspect the latest model Octavia, let me take a look in the rearview mirror. Skoda also brought the original model, which was launched in 1959. At a time when the manufacturers of the Eastern Bloc were not yet technologically behind and had attractive vehicles on offer. However, driving was a different story back then.
A short excursion at the wheel of the 60-year-old Czech with a fiddly four-speed central gearshift, poor synchronization (changing gear ratios without a crunch requires sensitivity) and fairly indirect steering demonstrates how easy cars have become to operate these days. However, the technicians from the Skoda classic department have spruced up the model. The 1.2-liter engine should now have 300 cubic meters more and produce around 70 hp instead of 45. It's no wonder that the compact car (4.07 meters), which weighs around 900 kilograms, is comparatively sporty.
In the more wiry “Sportline” there is largely no chrome.
(Photo: Skoda)
The current Octavia is definitely more about comfort than sportiness, at least that applies to the bread and butter variants. With an external length of 4.70 meters, the impressive representative of its class has long since outgrown the compact segment and is poaching in the middle class environment, which gives it a particularly generous amount of space. A supple suspension – adaptive if desired – ensures balanced driving behavior. And optional air-conditioned massage seats add a touch of luxury and delight those who travel a lot. On the other hand, the entry-level variants are modest with just 115 hp engine power – namely 1.5 TSI (from 30,730 euros) and 2.0 TDI (34,430 euros). And that's exactly what ntv.de deliberately tested, because it doesn't always have to be the horsepower monsters.
The 150 hp versions represent the middle and the middle
The Skoda Octavia now has a significantly larger touchscreen. It's nice to look at and responds promptly. The operating system could use a bit of a diet.
(Photo: Skoda)
This means that the 1.4-ton truck needs around ten seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and travels at a maximum speed of 203 or 214 km/h. This configuration is sufficient in everyday life, although in this case overtaking should be a little more carefully considered. Of course, the 150 hp versions with the same displacement (from 33,400 euros for the petrol engine and 36,000 euros for the diesel) have more reserves and accelerate to country road speeds one and a half seconds faster. They are recommended as a compromise and represent moderation and middle ground. Their more snappy approach is clearly noticeable in practice. In terms of (excellent) running culture, however, the weaker editions do not differ from the stronger ones.
It is noticeable that the engineers have insulated the Octavia well, because the interior is extremely quiet. If you order the petrol engine in conjunction with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, it comes as a mild hybrid with a sailing function. When you lift the accelerator pedal, the system responds by temporarily switching off the four-cylinder engine, which happens imperceptibly; You can only tell when the machine is paused on the tachometer.
There is by no means a lack of space in the second row of the modern Skoda Octavia.
(Photo: Skoda)
Those who drive moderately should only consume just under five liters of fuel per 100 kilometers on average, while Skoda promises a smooth four liters for diesel. The diesel has a range of around 1,000 kilometers, which is particularly appreciated by long-distance drivers.
Anyone who enjoys the infotainment will come across a number of innovations in the current year's Octavia. At 13 inches, the screen is larger than before and the integration of ChatGPT is supposed to make the voice assistant better, although this still needs to be tested extensively. And finally you can charge your smartphone properly wirelessly thanks to 15 watts of power and built-in cooling. In order to grasp the most important functions on the screen, it takes a bit of getting used to. The touchscreen responds promptly, but is slightly overloaded with buttons.
In the future, you can also park from outside using your smartphone.
(Photo: Skoda)
By the way, Skoda can also be really innovative: the Octavia will soon be able to be parked from the outside using an app. He's been able to park automatically while you're sitting in the car for a long time. And there are even more tried and tested ones. These include the so-called Simply Clever details such as the built-in ice scraper in the fuel tank flap or the umbrella that is always carried with you. Or a practical 1,700 liter trunk volume in the station wagon, which is already popular in this country.
What the customer will initially no longer find in the price list is the plug-in hybrid version. The manufacturer is not yet answering whether it will be submitted later. This is certainly a topic of demand. An electric Octavia drive is not to be expected. Here the Czechs are generally more cautious than the other brands in the Volkswagen Group.
All-wheel drive variants and a 265 hp top model will definitely follow. This means that in addition to being comfortable, the Octavia should also have a sporty nature.
