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What’s it like?
Following on from 24 years and three previous generations of service, when the Mk4 Skoda Octavia launched in 2020, we all knew the basic formula we were getting from this Czech car. What we mean by that is the Octavia offers big-car space and practicality, only for the same price (or less) and using the same hardware as the Volkswagen Golf. But while it was familiar stuff from the latest Octavia, that doesn’t make it any the less likeable or excellent.
An update to the entire range in 2024 did little more than tidy up the looks and interior infotainment, while also making a change to the entry-level petrol engine, but in essence the fourth-gen Skoda family hatch has remained the same – and as brilliant – throughout its life.
Which model to go for?
Prior to the 2024 update, Octavias came with twin 10-inch screens, one for the infotainment and one for the instrument cluster. From 2024 onwards, higher-spec models came with a larger and slicker 13-inch infotainment system, but either version of the Skoda’s cabin is magnificent. What you get for your money is a huge amount of space, with even the Fastback cars packing in 600 litres of boot room (there’s a Combi estate with 640 litres if you’re regularly carrying huge items in your car).
Broadly speaking, the Octavia most commonly comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine of some sort, although prior to the 2024 update the entry-level petrol option was a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI with 115hp. However, that was replaced with the 116hp 1.5 TSI Evo, with four cylinders, as part of the facelift, and that engine has been available all along in a higher 150hp state of tune as well. There are also a pair of 2.0-litre TDI diesels, again with either 116- or 150hp, a plug-in hybrid petrol badged the 1.4 TSI iV (204hp), and plug-in hybrid and petrol TSI variants of the high-performance RS model (245hp).
The plug-in hybrid and RS models are rarer on the used market, being comprehensively outnumbered by the regular TDI and TSI models. In truth, you can’t go far wrong with any of the engine choices in the Octavia, but the 150hp versions have the sweetest balance of power and performance, without breaking the bank to run.
Does anything go wrong?
The main issues with this generation of the Skoda Octavia relate to the automatic gearbox option, a dual-clutch ‘DSG’. It has been known to have problems, both mechanically and electrically, so if you’re concerned about it, simply seek out a manual model and all will be well. There may also be electrical glitches with the infotainment systems, especially on earlier cars that haven’t been updated, while some owners do report failures of the water pump on the Octavia.
Skoda has put out five recalls for this generation of the Octavia, which were for a possibly defective left steering knuckle; a voltage flashover in the iV plug-in hybrid model; loose-fitted engine covers; a disengaged belt pulley in the steering system; and a malfunctioning eCall service.