► Facelifted Skoda Octavia driven
► Five-door hatch with loads of space
► Remains practical and great value
The 2024 Skoda Octavia is like a nice comforting cup of tea – a staple of the car market that ultimately, above all else, continues to be reassuring. That might make it sound boring, but just as there’s a difference between tea made with care and tea slung together without thought, while the fundamental principles of the Octavia may be basic in a world filled with fancy SUV and electric vehicles, it remains a carefully executed, very well-rounded family car.
Although there are no real surprises about this facelifted model, that doesn’t mean you should let it pass you by without consideration. The updated Octavia continues to be great value, comes well equipped and, as ever, some of the thinking and everyday practical touches are rather smart.
At a glance
Pros: Spacious inside, well equipped, poised and polished driving experience
Cons: Diesels a little noisy, manual 1.5 TSI misses out on mild-hybrid assist
What’s new?
I have just spent several month driving around in a pre-facelift example of the Skoda Octavia (you can read the long-term test reports on our sister site, Parkers.co.uk), which was a fine-looking machine but perhaps just a touch bland. Skoda hasn’t changed a huge amount on the outside for the new version, but the revised headlights are surprisingly dramatic.
To get the full effect you need the more expensive second-generation matrix LED version – the standard items are also LED but have a more subtle daytime running light signature – but either way the light output is brighter and the changes successfully make the car seem wider. Helped by the accompanying bumper redesign.
New rear lights – again in two versions, depending on spec – a redesigned rear bumper, and some changes to the wheel designs complete the exterior makeover. The return of Sportline specification offers buyers a dash of extra attitude below the range-topping vRS, with lowered suspension, progressive steering, and gloss black finishing to areas that are otherwise chrome on the outside.
Speaking of deleting shiny stuff, the Octavia’s interior now has highlights in ‘Unique Dark Chrome’ instead of the bright original finish. And although you can’t tell, many of the plastics are now more sustainably sourced. All models get a generous new 13.0-inch infotainment screen, alongside a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster.
New Skoda ‘Design Selections’ give buyers more choices of cabin trim, while the 15W wireless phone charger is three times as powerful as before. It also includes a cooling system to reduce overheating, a problem I experienced enough in the old version to prompt me to use wired charging on longer trips where I was relying on the Android Auto connection. Apple CarPlay is standard, too.
Increased safety kit is the final enhancement, with features such as Turn Assist (stops you turning into other traffic…) now standard. Intelligent and Remote Park Assist functions are coming later.
What are the specs?
The engine line-up has been ‘streamlined’ so there’s now a choice of just five power units – although the DSG versions of the 1.5-litre petrol are different enough that I’d have counted seven.
Entry-level is the 114bhp version of that 1.5 TSI; with the standard six-speed manual gearbox this will do 0-62mph in 10.4sec and 126mph flat out. Opt for the seven-speed DSG automatic and this becomes an e-Tec motor with mild-hybrid assistance; on paper this is slower (0-62mph in 10.6sec) but in reality it will feel keener, thanks to the extra gear and small but noticeable torque-boost from the starter-generator.
There are 148bhp manual and DSG 1.5-litre Octavias as well. These have identical 8.5sec acceleration times and 142mph top speeds, but again the DSG feels more convincing. The manual version is quite lethargic from low revs, so you have to work the gear lever to get the most out of it.
Refreshingly, Skoda still offers diesel Octavias, using a 2.0-litre TDI that comes in 114bhp six-speed manual or 148bhp seven-speed DSG variants. With a sizeable increase in torque (221 and 265lb ft, respectively, compared with 162 and 184lb ft from the petrol equivalents) and fine cruising capability, these remain the proper choice for long-distance drivers.
Top of the range will be the 261bhp Octavia vRS, powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol. But the facelifted version of this isn’t out until later in 2024.
What’s it like to drive?
Skoda isn’t drawing attention to it, but there have been some other changes under the skin. The EU’s new cyber security legislation meant the firm had to completely redo the software for the steering and the ESC system. And though the aim was reproducing a very similar feel to the fundamentally sound previous model, customer feedback has resulted in a little less steering assistance.
Are you going to notice? Well, it’s not a radical alteration but there is a touch more precision to the direction changes. You’re more likely to be struck by how well the Octavia tackles poor surfaces – a carry-over from the pre-facelift model that treads a careful path between authority and compliance.
Patchwork tarmac is absorbed but also controlled, so that the Octavia manages to avoid becoming soft and wallowy while also rarely jarring, even on the 18-inch wheels of every launch test car. Poised is the word that springs to mind, as both the steering response and the body control create a reliable sense of composure. Standard or variable suspension, the impression is commendably the same – including for the 15mm lower Sportline suspension, which is a touch firmer without ruining that laudable compliance.
It’s not a car that necessarily encourages you to push towards the limit, but it can be driven quickly, and with some satisfaction. Chatting to a chassis engineer, he explained Skoda’s philosophy continues to focus on everyday driving rather than chasing laptimes, and that the Octavia is set up to give drivers the time to absorb and react to what they’re experiencing. To help with this, the chassis’s reactions are as linear and consistent as possible.
This results in car that you can get stuck into if you really want, but also one that’s calm and easy to drive over long distances without becoming tiring. Quiet competence is again something that might easily be mistaken for boring, and the Octavia isn’t that.
As for engine choice, avoid the 114bhp variants. Even the torquier diesel is pretty gutless (it’s also rather loud) and given budget I’d ditch the manual gearbox as well. There’s nothing especially wrong with this – the change action is tidy enough, if a little slushy – it’s just that the DSG is better.
In the punchier 148bhp diesel it keeps the car in the right part of the powerband effortlessly, reducing the engine noise and making everything less shuddery and quicker. Petrol buyers will benefit not only from the cog-swapping but also that MHEV assistance. This boosts efficiency as well as performance. It also restarts incredibly smoothly.
What about the interior?
Not hugely different from before. The new Ultimate Dark Chrome finishing means fewer nasty reflections, and the larger infotainment screen is certainly eye-catching. This gets updated software, which is a little easier to use, but most importantly, Skoda has retained plenty of actual buttons – making shortcutting to the climate control and reaching other functions as straightforward as before.
Sustainable material changes include many of the cabin plastics but also the famous ice scraper under the filler flap and the cover for the umbrella in the door. Sportline models get natty diamond stitching for the seats, and some relatively subtle faux carbonfibre. An optional storage box add-on to the rear centre console is a new ‘simply clever’ feature.
One of the things I loved about my old Octavia long-termer was the button on the steering wheel that takes you straight to active safety menu – which appears in the instrument cluster ahead rather than on the infotainment screen to the side. I’m pleased to report this is still there, and is now not only a super-quick way of disabling the active lane-keeping assistance but also means you can turn off the EU-mandated speed limit exceeded alarm within seconds of getting in the car.
Should you be the sort of person who’s bothered by that kind of thing, it may also be worth nothing that Skoda’s version of this has one of the least intrusive chiming noises I’ve experienced.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
UK buyers get a choice of three trim levels: SE Technology, SE L and Sportline. All are generously equipped, and though SE L has traditionally been the sweet spot of the range, the return of Sportline may be hard to ignore. It looks that bit sharper, inside and out.
As for rivals, the UK doesn’t have too many alternative saloon cars for buyers to choose from at this level, so the Octavia is instead up against a selection of family hatchbacks and SUVs. The Skoda does well against both types of alternative thanks to a load of space for passengers and luggage (the boot is 600 litres big without the rear seats folded).
The most obvious competition includes the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra, not to mention the VW Golf, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Starting at £26,775, Skoda’s pricing is very competitive versus all of them.
Verdict
If you want a no-nonsense family car you should continue to start here. This latest Skoda Octavia facelift is in no way at all radical, but why should it be? The updates sharpen up the looks and provide buyers with some extra trim choices without compromising the Octavia’s core appeal – its exceptionally polished value and fundamental competence. As such, it’s still my cup of tea.
Specs below are for the 148bhp Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI e-Tec DSG