Added: 01 April 2025
So you have been thinking about getting a new car, and you have a lot of Skoda Octavia questions that you would like to get answered first? Such as are Skoda Octavias actually good cars, what is the best colour to get it in, does the Skoda Octavia come in an electric vehicle variant, or is the Skoda Octavia vRS reliable?
Well, in that case, this guide is just for you.
For instance, here you will find out if this family car is really spacious, reliable, and great value for money, or not.
So, whether you go for the hatchback or the estate, we have you covered in this guide to them.
So, let's find out if this car is right for you.
The Škoda Octavia is very popular, with around 200 - 250K being sold every year, mainly because it gives you a good balance of affordability, reliability, and practical features all in one body.
For instance, it has a spacious interior, a large boot, and, as we will find out, some very efficient engines, including its 7-speed DSGs and responsive automatic transmissions.
Many people also tend to like it for being a very comfortable ride with a high-quality build, as you will see in our reliability section below.
Consequently, this gives you good value for money, especially when compared to other cars in its class - again, as we will find out further down - making it a great option for families and professionals alike as a result.
The Škoda Octavia is known for being very fuel-efficient.
This is in part thanks to the petrol car versions, which can achieve around 50 MPG, while the diesel models can go up to 70 MPG.
The plug-in hybrid model - called the Octavia iV - offers you even better efficiency as it can run on electricity alone for short distances of up to 43 miles, helping to save fuel with an eye-watering 188.3 MPG to 282.5 MPG range.
The Škoda Octavia comes with several engine options, including TSI engines, turbo-petrol engines, diesel, and hybrid choices.
The petrol engines range from 1.0-litre to 2.0-litre variants, while the diesel options are mostly 2.0-litre engines.
The hybrid version then gives you a 1.4-litre petrol engine which is combined with a fully electric motor - offering you both power and efficiency as a result.
For instance, when it comes to its engine stats from the Octavia 1.6 TDI, TDI CR all the way to its TDI PD, here you have:
The Škoda Octavia vRS is the fastest version of this car, which has in its petrol model and its 2.0-litre engine can give you up to 245 horsepower and can reach a top speed of around 155 mph.
The diesel vRS is slightly slower but we should still note that it still gives you great performance and fuel efficiency here.
Keeping your Škoda Octavia's software up to date helps improve your performance and add new features.
But you may be wondering if this is easy or not.
Well, here’s how you can update it easily:
Firstly, you go to the infotainment system in your car and open the settings menu, then look for the "System Update" or "Software Update" option.
Next, your car needs an internet connection to check for updates, so you need to connect to it via Wi-Fi or use the built-in SIM card (if available in your model).
If an update is then available, you then need to follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it, all while making sure your car is switched on during the process.
Some updates may need to be downloaded from Škoda’s website onto a USB stick, though. In this case, if you download the updates, store them on a USB stick, and then plug the USB into your car, you will just need to follow the update instructions to complete them this way.
Once the update has been completed, your system may restart automatically.
If not, please restart it manually to ensure the update is applied properly.
That’s literally it. Your Škoda Octavia will now be running the latest software - it is as easy as that.
If your service light is on and you want to reset it yourself, you can do it in just a few steps.
For example, here is how:
1. Make sure the car is switched off.
2. Press and hold the trip reset button on the dashboard.
3. While still holding the button, turn the ignition on (but don’t start the engine).
4. Keep holding the button until the service message disappears.
5. Release the button and switch off the ignition.
6. Turn the ignition back on to check if the reset worked.
If the light is then still on, you might need to repeat the steps or get it reset at a garage. Remember, resetting the light won’t service or fix your car, and you should always look to rectify the reason the light came on in the first place.
You can fit a roof box on a Škoda Octavia, and the car has official ones available to buy.
The car also comes with roof rails and fixing points, depending on the model you have, so you can easily attach roof bars and a roof box when needed.
This is a great option if you need extra space for luggage, camping gear, or just your sports equipment for a trip away.
The Škoda Octavia is considered a reliable car in many reliability surveys, most certainly. For example, it is built with high-quality materials and proven VW Group's technology.
Many Octavia owners have also reported that their Octavia has run well for years with minimal issues, and this is especially true with regular servicing and proper maintenance, all of which help keep it in great condition for a long time.
However, it isn't just the owners who have said this as the car has won many industry awards factoring this in, including, for example:
The Škoda Octavia has a very large boot, making it one of the most spacious cars in its class as a result.
For instance, here, the standard hatchback model offers you around 600 litres of boot space, while the estate version goes up to 640 litres.
If you fold the rear seats down, the space increases even more, making it perfect for carrying large items with up to 1,555 litres to 1,700 litres of space in total.
The Škoda Octavia is built in several countries, with the main factory located in the Czech Republic.
For instance, here, this Czech car manufacturer has plants based in:
Mladá Boleslav, with this being the main Škoda factory, where the Octavia has been produced for years.
The fourth-generation Octavia was also launched here in 2024 as well.
Vrchlabí is another factory in the Czech Republic that also makes the Octavia as well.
Bratislava also produces the Octavia and is also one of Slovakia’s main car factories.
Shanghai also sees the Octavia being built as part of a joint venture with Shanghai Volkswagen.
Kaluga, where this Volkswagen plant assembles the Octavia for the Russian market.
Pune, this facility then not only makes Octavia's for India but also exports "CKD kits" (completely knocked down kits) to Vietnam for assembly as well.
Škoda also has a production facility in Kazakhstan where the Octavia is manufactured here as well.
So, while the Octavia has its roots in the Czech Republic, it's made in several countries due to its popularity worldwide and to help Skoda meet its overall global demand for this car as a result.
Heated front seats are standard on the Skoda Octavia SE Technology trim and are also available on the SE L and Sportline trims, as well as the First Edition trim.
A Skoda Octavia car comes with many safety features, including automatic emergency braking, an automatic gearbox to allow you to spend more time focusing on the road ahead, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control, to name a few.
For instance, it also has airbags, parking sensors, and stability control, and some models even have blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera to help with parking and driving safely.
Consequently, some of its most standout features consist of the following:
So, if you are thinking, well, those features are good, but does the Škoda Octavia actually come with a lot of modern technology? Then, this section is for you.
This is due to not only does it include a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, and voice control, but, higher trims also come with digital driver displays, wireless charging, and head-up displays as well.
Along with all of this, it also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to connect your phone to your car as an end result.
In fact, in regards to its technology, here you have:
The main difference between the hatchback and estate versions of the Škoda Octavia is the boot space really.
Here, the estate version has a longer body, giving you more room for your luggage, especially since both versions have the same engine choices and interior features. However, the estate is better for those who need extra storage space.
When it comes to how it drives, the Škoda Octavia is very comfortable to drive overall. This is due to it having a soft suspension, supportive seats, and good sound insulation on the whole.
For instance, the ride is smooth, even on rough roads, and the cabin feels spacious, all while your driver’s seat is adjustable, and both the front seats can come with heated seats too - making long journeys more enjoyable, especially in winter.
The newer model Skoda Octavia you choose can vary as it can come in different trims, including Skoda Octavia RS, Skoda Octavia Scout SE, SE L, Skoda Octavia Elegance, SportLine, Skoda Octavia Estate and vRS.
Here, the SE is the base model that comes with many essential features, while the SE L can add more luxury options like leather seats for example.
The SportLine then gives you more sporty styling, and the vRS is a performance model with a powerful engine for those who want sports-level suspension.
The price of a new Škoda Octavia depends on the trim if you want to buy a used car and the engine you want, and this can change over time as well.
The base SE Skoda Octavia model starts at around £27,390, while the higher SE L and SportLine models cost more, and the performance vRS version costs the most.
For the most up-to-date price, please see our dedicated Skoda Octavia pricing page.
The Škoda Octavia is great for long-distance driving, thanks to it giving you a comfortable ride experience overall, a quiet cabin, and efficient engines.
This is all while the seats are supportive, and there is plenty of legroom for your passengers as well.
Then, when you also combine this further with its range, large fuel tank, and good fuel consumption, it means you can drive long distances without often stopping for fuel as well - which is nice to know on a long drive.
The Škoda Octavia iV is the plug-in hybrid version, giving you an electric car version.
This then combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, allowing it to run on electricity alone for short distances.
This makes it more fuel-efficient and better for the environment overall than its diesel engine and petrol engine models do on their own.
Most Škoda Octavia models can come with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), but some versions, like the 2.0-litre turbo diesel models, offer you All-Wheel Drive systems as well if that is something you are interested in.
These, for instance, will give you better grip control on slippery roads and rough terrain, and the All-Wheel-Drive version is a good option for those who regularly drive in snowy or wet conditions.
The Škoda Octavia usually needs servicing once a year or every 10,000 miles - whichever comes first.
When looking at its warranty, the Škoda Octavia comes with a standard three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, which covers repairs for manufacturing defects, but wear and tear items like tyres and brake pads are not included.
You can also get extended warranties for extra peace of mind as well if you want.
The Škoda Octavia is a good car for towing as well.
For instance, here, the Skoda Octavia diesel models, especially those with a 2.0-litre engine, can tow up to 2,000 kg.
This makes it suitable for towing caravans, trailers, or boats, while the all-wheel-drive versions offer you better stability when towing heavier loads as well.
As you can see, the Škoda Octavia is an excellent family car, as it has a spacious interior, a big boot, and good safety features.
This is all while it offers you a very comfortable ride and fuel-efficient engines - making it perfect for everyday use and long journeys alike.
It is also a practical and affordable choice for families looking for a reliable car as well in our view.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares against a Ford Focus, then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares to a Volkwsgan Golf GTI then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares against a Ford Mondeo, then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares against a Toyota Corolla, then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares against an Audi A4, then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares to a Volkswagen Passat, then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia compares against a Superb, then this section is for you.
If you are wondering how Octavia Estate compares against a Superb Estate, then this section is for you.
So, as you can see, the Škoda Octavia is a fantastic all-rounder.
It’s comfortable, practical, and won’t break the bank either, so if you need a car for everyday driving, the hatchback is a great pick.
However, will you need more boot space? Then you want to go for the estate.
Alternatively, do you want something with a bit of power? The vRS model is the way to go.
Overall, with its modern tech, great fuel economy, and solid build quality, the Octavia is a car you can rely on, especially if you want a car that is easy to live with and great to drive - meaning that the Octavia should be high on your list in our view!
If you liked our Skoda Elroq car review, then you may like some of our other latest news, in-depth electric and hybrid car reviews, car buying guides and car news, such as, for instance:
So why not find out in person if a Skoda Octavia is your best car option, especially if you like what you have read? Then why not book a road test drive in one of our test cars at one of our local Skoda dealerships near you today - and experience this car first-hand by getting behind the wheel?
Here at Heritage ŠKODA, we are proud to be part of the Heritage Automotive Group, a privately owned business established in Salisbury in 1996, and your local dealer.
Our Skoda dealerships serve Dorset, Gloucester, Somerset, and Wiltshire, and we represent several franchises, including ŠKODA, at our Yeovil showroom.
Our friendly staff are also trained to ŠKODA's high standards and are always ready to assist you, whether you are interested in purchasing a new or used SKODA car, need servicing, or are looking for accessories, our friendly team is here to help you.