Skoda Octavia

Featuring a dual-tone theme, the interiors present coziness with a subtly different shade and a new glossy black finish around the climate control unit and the gearshift knob. Interestingly, Skoda has also worked around the door trims and upgraded them to offer a brushed aluminum finish. Interestingly, Skoda has also worked on achieving a clutter-free dashboard layout that now comes with an 8-inch infotainment unit. The other accessibility features in the car include Bluetooth, SmartLink connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.

Skoda Octavia also picks up a wheelbase of 2,686mm, making it longer by 66mm more than its Golf cousin. The improved space inside the cabin gives way to plenty of legroom to adjust six-footers in the car without having to go through any trouble. The car also offers 590 litres of space which can be further updated to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded.

On the exterior, Skoda Octavia has received an aesthetic makeover with its dual headlamps to give it a more modern and appealing look. The updated Octavia now comes with full-LED headlamps over the Bi-xenon lights that were a part of the previous generation models. Interestingly, these high performing, energy-efficient LED’s add on seamlessly to the entire styling approach of the car. The fog lamps are halogen and also feature a cornering functionality in the Octavia. The re-designed bumpers of the car also work effectively in adding to the total performance of the car.

With practicality in its total styling appeal, Skoda packs the Octavia with a crisp angular styling that revolves around the front and rear end of the vehicle. The aerodynamical styling also lends a premium touch to Skoda’s compact sedan.

The Skoda Octavia is very close to the flagship sedan from the Czech automaker and so, the handling is as brisk and amazing as ever. It borrows its performance from Superb and is right on the money when it comes to brisk acceleration and the lightness of the steering. The gearbox smooth, especially with quick-shifting. Its century sprint benchmark at 8.2 seconds, is a welcome improvement over the former 1.0’s already decent 10-second sprint timing.

The Octavia is powered by a similar engine across its lineup. Powering the vehicle is a Volkswagen-sourced 1.4L four-cylinder TSi petrol engine, which delivers a maximum power output at 148 bhp and peak torque of up to 250 Nm, maxing out at the top speed of 219 km per hour. Drive to the front wheels is mated to a quick-shifting 7-speed DSG transmission. Coming to its fuel economy, Octavia gives out the combined fuel efficiency of 19.2 kmpl which is commendable. Lastly, there are no driving modes offered in the car.

Braking of the Octavia is handled by MacPherson strut on the front-end and a multi-link torsion beam on the rear end of the car. The suspension and braking of the car come together to serve a comfortable ride at almost every form of terrain for the occupants. Interestingly, the effective braking and suspension work well in co-ordination for the long wheelbase. The setup promotes a much relaxed and comfortable ride. The Octavia also caters to efficiently smooth handling along with the corners, thanks to the 17-inch wheels and adjustable steering positions.

Coming over to the safety and other driver aids present in the Octavia, are a rear-view camera with Park Distance Control (PDC), Blind Spot Detect with Rear Traffic Alert, Airbags, EBD, Vehicle Stability Control System, Crash Sensors, and Door Ajar Warning among others.

The Skoda Octavia is a perfect mix of styling and modernity. It gets a sleek styling besides the best in its segment features. The compact sedan is surely a very affordable offering when it comes to the amount of space it has to offer. Lastly, considering the spec sheet, performance, and safety features of the Octavia, it is surely a go-to option for buyers of the compact sedan.