Skoda Octavia Review (2020-present)

What is the Skoda Octavia?

You could argue that the Octavia epitomises everything that Skoda buyers love about the brand. Like most offerings from the Czech carmaker, you get a bigger-than-average car for a smaller-than-average price. What’s not to love about that? No wonder, then, that despite the introduction of a variety of fashionable SUVs into Skoda’s model line-up, the Octavia remains the firm’s best-selling car.

The latest version reviewed here was launched in 2020 and given a midlife update in 2024. It is available as a five-door hatchback and estate, and goes up against models such as the Volkswagen Golf, Kia Ceed, Seat Leon and Vauxhall Astra.

How practical is it?

Predictably, the Octavia's size advantage over other cars of its type equates to class-leading practicality. The car has considerably more space in both the front- and the back seats than any rival - particularly when it comes to legroom - and there's space for three across the rear bench if needs be. What's more, the enormous 600-litre boot is around 200 litres bigger than those of most rivals.

And that’s in the hatchback. If you need even more space, then the Estate version boosts cargo space to 640 litres. Granted, there’s a load lip to contend with and there’s also a step in the floor when you fold down the 60/40 split rear seats (which also lie at an angle), but for outright space, no rival can get anywhere near it.

What's it like to drive?

Importantly, the Octavia is an impressively civilised car to drive. The ride isn’t quite as cosseting as you get in a Volkswagen Golf, but it’s still impressively comfortable, and the impressive rolling refinement also helps make this a quiet, serene and peaceful way to get around. Granted, the Octavia isn’t the most agile car in its class, either, due in part to its extra size and weight, but it always feels assured and stable and the balance of comfort and control you get is just about spot on for the family buyers to whom the car will appeal.

The engines we’ve tried also contribute to the car’s easy-going nature, with easy-to-access muscle resulting in eager, easy performance. The engines do a good job on efficiency, too, so not only is the Octavia affordable to buy, it’s also just as affordable to run.

Initially, the mainstream petrol range included a 108bhp 1.0-litre three cylinder and a 148bhp 1.5-litre four cylinder, while the mainstream diesel range included two 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines with 14bhp and 148bhp. The sporty vRS hot-hatch version, meanwhile, could be had as a 242bhp 2.0-litre petrol, a 197bhp 2.0-litre diesel, or a plug-in hybrid with a 1.4-litre petrol engine combining with an electric motor to give 242bhp.

A facelift in 2024 saw the entry-level 1.0 petrol engine replaced by a 114bhp version of the 1.5 four-cylinder, while the rest of the mainstream petrol and diesel options remained. The vRS, meanwhile became available exclusively with a 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

When the mk4 Octavia was first launched, it was offered in a limited range of introductory trim levels. The SE First Edition was the entry-level car, and even this came superbly well equipped. For a suitably modest outlay, buyers got alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, a leather-covered multifunction steering wheel, and the swanky-looking infotainment system complete with 10.25-inch display, digital instruments, DAB radio and Apple Carplay/Android Auto.

Two other trims were offered on top of the entry-level car, the SE L and the SE L First Edition. The former added desirable items like satnav, voice control, keyless entry and go, front parking sensors, heated front seats, microsuede upholstery and adaptive cruise control. The latter, meanwhile, gave you blind spot assistance, electrically folding door mirrors, a powered driver’s seat and cool ambient cabin lighting.

Later on, Skoda's more familiar trim structure was introduced, with the trim levels available becoming SE Technology, SE L, SportLine and vRS. Again, even the entry-level car was fabulously well equipped, with LED lighting, powered mirrors, two-zone climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, front- and rear parking sensors, and heated front seats. The infotainment system included wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, five USB ports and voice control. You also get a 10.25-inch digital screen behind the steering wheel to act as your driving instruments. Early cars came with a 10.0-inch central touchscreen, but a 2024 facelift saw this replaced by a bigger 13.0-inch item. Chat GPT was also added to the voice control functionality. For some reason.

SEL added adaptive cruise control, a heated windscreen, a powered bootlid with virtual pedal function (kick your foot under the rear bumper to open the tailgate), ambient lighting and faux suede and leather upholstery. SportLine replaced some of that with sporty styling inside and out, plus sports seats and a reversing camera.

vRS maintained the sporty styling and added the powered bootlid and adaptive cruise control back in, along with a lowered suspension (15mm), and electronic limited slip differential and a synthetic engine noise generator.

Skoda Octavia running costs

Periodic price rises mean that Skodas are no longer the incredible bargains that they once were, but by and large, they’re still really good value for money due to the enormous amount of car and technology you get for your outlay. Prices are competitive with those of most mainstream rivals, and although the Octavia will cost you a shade more than some of them, there are plenty of others that it undercuts. Used car prices should see similar differences due to the fact that the Skoda sheds its value at roughly the same rate as most mainstream rivals, so long-term costs should also be much-of-a-muchness.

Official WLTP fuel figures suggest that you'll get MPG in the mid-fifties if you go for one of the mainstream petrols, regardless of whether it's one of the early 1.0-litre units or one of the 1.5s. The equivalent official figures for the 2.0-litre diesels stand in the mid-sixties, and will still be the best option for high-mileage drivers. Those who buy the vRS get an official figure of about 40mpg.

Recommended service intervals stand at every one year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first, but if you do mainly higher-mileage journeys at a constant speed (lots of motorway, in other words), then you can choose to opt for condition-based servicing that might spread the maintenance out a bit further. Skoda offers fixed price servicing plans to help buyers budget for their maintenance costs more effectively, and all the Skoda-approved parts used have a two-year guarantee.

Skoda Octavia reliability

Once upon a time, Skoda tended to do very well in the various reliability and customer satisfaction surveys doing the rounds. As recently as 2019, Skoda came second out of 24 carmakers assessed in the JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study. However, thing appear to have been on the slide in recent years. Take a look at the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, and sure enough, you'll find the previous third-generation Octavia sitting right there at the top of the rankings in the Family Car class. However, you'll find the latest fourth-generation Octavia languishing down in 24th place out of 26 cars assessed. And the two cars below it? The Seat Leon and Volkswagen Golf with which it shares its mechanicals...

You'll be hoping for generous warranty cover, then, but again, you might be disappointed. Don’t get us wrong, the three-year/60,000-mile arrangement (mileage limits don’t apply for the first two years) is on a par with what you get from most other manufacturers, and is therefore totally acceptable, but rivals like Hyundai offer five years of cover, while Kia extends that to seven, and Toyota's warranty could last up to ten years.