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Skoda Octavia

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Expert Rating

Skoda Octavia

(2020 - present)

    Summary


    The Skoda Octavia is a medium-sized family car, available as either a five-door liftback or an estate. It it sits above the smaller Scala and below the larger Superb in the Skoda family.

    The current model is the fourth-generation Octavia, which arrived in the UK in summer 2020. The conventional petrol and diesel engines will be joined by a plug-in hybrid model before the end of 2020. The range-topping Octavia vRS performance models will also join the rest of the range before the end of the year.

    Based on the UK reviews published to date, the Skoda Octavia holds an Expert Rating of 75% from 53 different reviews on The Car Expert’s unique Expert Rating Index (as of October 2023). That’s a fairly competitive score, although it does lag behind its illustrious predecessor’s score when new.

    The Skoda Octavia has received praise for its spacious cabin, practicality and value for money, which all build on the strengths of previous-generation models. However, its infotainment system has drawn criticism, while the front-end styling with its enormous BMW-style grille has also seen mixed reviews.

    Octavia highlights

    • Class-leading legroom
    • Practical and refined interior
    • Value for money package
    • Leisurely driving experience
    • Low running costs

    Octavia lowlights

    • Confusing infotainment
    • Polarising front-end aesthetic
    • So-so engine performance and handling

    Key specifications


    Body style: Five-door liftback and estate
    Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
    Price: From £23,650 on-road

    Launched: Summer 2020
    Last updated: N/A
    Replacement due: TBA


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

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    Car

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    Daily Mirror

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    Eurekar

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 5 stars
    Date tested: December 2022
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 86%
    Child protection: 84%
    Vulnerable road users: 68%
    Safety assist: 81%

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    Model tested: Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI Diesel 4X2 Manual

    Overall score: 3.5 stars
    Date tested: February 2021
    Read the full Green NCAP review

    Clean Air Index: 6.7 / 10
    Energy Efficiency Index: 7.7 / 10
    Greenhouse Gas Index: 4.6 / 10

    The Skoda Octavia 2.0-litre diesel manual estate received a 3.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021.

    Green NCAP said: “The Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI demonstrates what can be achieved from a modern diesel equipped with the latest exhaust after-treatment technology. The car scores highly in all three areas of assessment: 6.7/10 for Clean Air, 7.7/10 for Energy Efficiency and 4.6/10 for Greenhouse Gases.

    “This leads to a rating of 3½ stars, a remarkable achievement for a combustion-engined car with no electrification to assist its efficiency.”

    This rating only applies to the 2.0-litre diesel manual estate version of the Octavia, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range (although there will be no significant difference between estate and hatchback body styles).

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    As of December 2022, the Skoda Octavia has a better-than-average reliability rating of 64%, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score covers both the current model and previous (pre-2020) generations.

    The average repair cost of just under £600 is fairly average, although obviously still more than the cost of a used car warranty so that’s worth bearing in mind. The most notable individual item is the gearbox, which has an average repair cost of almost £2,000 in cars repaired to date.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models42 mpgD34 – 44 mpgC – D
    Diesel models54 mpgB43 – 61 mpgA – C
    Plug-in hybrid models186 mpgA157 – 202 mpgA – A
    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models155 g/kmB145 – 191 g/kmB – C
    Diesel models136 g/kmB119 – 172 g/kmA – C
    Plug-in hybrid models33 g/kmA30 – 40 g/kmA – A
    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    Plug-in hybrid models34 milesE30 – 37 milesD – E
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models33C24 – 42B – D
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£236B
    Year 2£539B
    Year 3£932B
    Year 4£1,203B
    Year 5£1,611B
    Overall£4,521B

    The Skoda Octavia is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

    The fuel consumption of pure-petrol models is a bit lower than the market average, with diesel variants being a much more economical choice. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. It is unlikely that you will ever travel for 186 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…

    While insurance premiums follow the market average, service and maintenance costs over the course of five years of ownership are predicted to be on the cheaper side when compared to other mid-sized saloons and estates.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Skoda Octavia has received

    2023

    • Carbuyer Awards – Best Estate Car
    • UK News Motoring Awards – Best Dog-Friendly Car (estate)

    2022

    • Carbuyer Awards – Best Estate Car
    • Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Lower Medium Car
    • Fleet News Awards – Best Lower Medium Fleet Car
    • News UK Motor Awards – Best Used Car
    • What Car? Awards – Best Family Car for Practicality
    • What Car? Electric Awards – Best Hybrid Estate Car

    2021

    • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Family + Best Estate
    • Auto Express Awards – Best Family Car + Best Estate Car
    • Business Car Awards – Best Family Car
    • Carbuyer Awards – Best Estate Car + Best Used Estate Car
    • DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Medium Car + Best Medium Estate Car
    • Fleet World Awards – Best Lower Medium Fleet Car
    • Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Family Hatchback + Best Estate Car + Best Plug-in Hybrid
    • What Car? Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid (Octavia iV estate)
    • What Car? EV Awards – Best Hybrid Estate

    2020

    • Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year + Best Compact Family Car + Best Estate Car
    • Autocar Britain’s Best Car Awards – Best Family Car (Octavia estate)
    • Business Car Awards – Best Lower-Medium Car
    • Carbuyer Awards – Best Family Car + Best Estate Car
    • DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Medium Car + Best Medium Estate Car

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Skoda Octavia, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Citroën C4 | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Peugeot 308 | Renault MeganeSEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Subaru Levorg | Suzuki Swace | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf


    More news, reviews and information about the Skoda Octavia at The Car Expert

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    The Skoda Octavia has received praise from reviewers for its spacious cabin, practicality and value for money.Skoda Octavia
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