Skoda Octavia

Expert Review by Maxabout

Overview

Demand for the sedan has clearly been in decline for the past few years. These days, car purchasers desire a huge SUV as a mark of their prestige. Or perhaps you prefer a small, compact hatchback that is easy to manoeuvre in the expanding urban jungles. Despite falling demand, few sedans have weathered the storm, at least globally. The Skoda Octavia is one of the notable names that has survived the expanding SUV craze. The Skoda Octavia, now in its fourth generation, has developed both physically and electronically.

Skoda Octavia Design and Style

2023 Skoda Octavia has grown in size with the new-generation jump. It is now 4689mm long, 19mm longer than the third-generation model. And the width has increased by 15mm to 1829mm, with a height of 1469mm. The enlarged wheelbase is now 2680mm, and they have increased the ground clearance to 137mm.

What the figures don't tell you is how dignified the new-generation Octavia looks. It's easy to mistake it for its older brother, Superb. Despite having a notchback roofline, Octavia's three-box form is rather appealing. Sharp character lines can be visible on the side, the bonnet, and in a few other locations. The newly styled low-slung snout with a ‘sleeker moustache' grille gives the Czech sedan a new persona up front. It's flanked by the sharpest-looking headlight design on the market, which features a dual-barrel L-shaped LED from Skoda's Matrix lighting. Similarly, the complicated lighting signature of the slim tail lamps appears extremely upmarket in the back. The new Skoda Octavia's appearance is less dramatic, yet it doesn't look out of place in a modern setting.

Skoda Octavia Engine and Gearbox

Skoda has powered the revised Octavia by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine that powers the Superb and will make its way to the upcoming upgraded Kodiaq. As we all know, the Skoda Volkswagen family does not have a diesel engine, thus the Octavia no longer has an oil burner. This TSI produces 190 horsepower and 320 Newton-metres of torque and comes with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive-by-wire technology, suggesting that there are no mechanical links beneath the gear selector and computers and electronics control all the shifting.

Despite having a greater displacement than the previous Octavia, the power output is nearly comparable. At idle, it is silent and refined, with no vibrations or noise entering the cabin. This smoothness remains the same throughout the rpm range. There's enough grunt to keep up with traffic at city speeds. When driven with a light foot, it's nice, progressive, and quite efficient. The Octavia's dual-clutch DSG gearbox, known for its smooth and rapid shifting, carries it over completely intact.

Skoda Octavia Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

2023 Skoda Octavia has a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear Multi-Link suspension with one longitudinal and three transverse arms. 17-inch wheels fitted with 205/55 section tyres support the Skoda Octavia. The PSI recommendation for tyres is unexpectedly high, at 38 PSI (F) / 39 PSI (R). That, as well as the lack of a 16-inch wheel option, makes the ride stiffer than the previous generation. The suspension setup is also a snugger. Despite being harder, we might describe the ride as cooperative. The vehicle can handle small to medium-sized potholes, but larger ones register sharply in the interior. The all-wheel disc brake configuration gives very good braking capability, and it handles the emergency braking scenarios extremely well, with the car effectively decelerating to a halt.

Interior and Instrument Console of Skoda Octavia

The cabin of the new-generation Octavia has improved significantly over its predecessor, as has the appearance. Inside is simple, with fewer buttons, digital panels, and an attractive steering wheel. Two-point steering looks sophisticated and appropriate for a museum showcase. The latest edition of a programmable all-digital driver's display is behind the steering wheel. It provides a lot of information and can also serve as a navigation screen. We loved the minimalism option, in which the display blacks out, revealing only the most important details.

The free-standing touchscreen in the centre console is novel and easy to use. Its home screen's tile pattern makes it easy to operate, especially while on the go. Touch response has also been enhanced, and there are many connecting choices available. The centrally located air vents visually separate the flowing dash from the centre console. There are a few controls visible above the vents, but the centre console takes the minimalist idea to its logical conclusion. The new drive-by-wire gear selector appears impossibly small, especially since it's the only visible item in the centre console. A huge tray hosts a wireless phone charger, and there's further storage space behind the driver's armrest.

Key Features of Skoda Octavia

The long feature list of the new Octavia includes Matrix headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, welcome lights, ambient lighting, all-digital instrument cluster, a smart dual-zone climate control, 610 watt Canton premium music system, smartphone connectivity, wireless charger, park assist, 17-inch alloy wheels, and Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever.

2023 Skoda Octavia also comes with eight airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, EBD, TPMS, iBuzz fatigue alert, and AFS. Besides giving many new-age telematics capabilities such as geo fence, time fence, driving behaviour, trip analysis, and much more, the MySkoda Connect has integrated technology that assists in the event of an emergency with features such as roadside assistance and SOS.

Top Speed and Mileage of Skoda Octavia

The ARAI rating for the 1.8 TSI engine with the DSG automatic was 15.1 km/l. This 2.0 TSI + DSG combo achieves a slightly greater fuel economy rating of 15.81 km/l. In the city, the real-world expected mileage is 7 to 10 km/l, depending on traffic density. Please keep in mind that turbo-petrol is quite sensitive to throttle input, and if you drive it aggressively, the fuel gauge will drop significantly faster. The Skoda Octavia can achieve a top speed of 200 to 210 km/h and it can achieve 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.47 seconds and the 0 to 200 km/h in around 22.54 seconds.

Skoda Octavia Colour Options

Skoda offers the new Octavia in 5 different colours, namely Brilliant Silver, Lava Blue, Magic Black, Candy White and Graphite Grey.

Skoda Octavia Competitors

There are no direct rivals to the new Skoda Octavia in the Indian market. But you can also get SUVs like Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson, Citroen C5 Aircross, Honda City and Volkswagen T-Roc in a similar price range.

Conclusion

2023 Skoda Octavia is, without a doubt, a significant improvement over its predecessor, as has been the case with each iteration of the Octavia over the last three decades. It is both comfy and attractive on the inside and out. It's also fun to drive with newer hardware, which incorporates every bit of modernity into the way it feels on the road. The new Octavia is unafraid of our poor road conditions. Because the Octavia is a superb mile muncher, you can cover the Indian subcontinent with ease.

To summarise, the new-generation Skoda Octavia has remained a formidable sedan that has held its own against the growing popularity of SUVs. It maintains its legacy as a large, practical, comfortable, and luxury sedan that is as enjoyable to drive as it is to live with.