New Skoda Octavia revealed: mid-life facelift for practical family hatchback 

• New Skoda Octavia revealed
• Facelift brings minor styling changes
• New infotainment technology
• Updated range of engines
• More power for the sporty vRS
• On sale later this year

This is the new Skoda Octavia, and the practical Volkswagen Golf alternative has been given a mild makeover to keep it looking fresh.

In addition to the new look, the Octavia is fitted with new technology and some tweaked engines. The hot vRS model has also been given a healthy dose of extra power.

New Skoda Octavia design

This is just a mid-life facelift for the Skoda Octavia, so the styling has only been given a minor nip and tuck to modernise things a bit.

The main change comes up front with a fresh set of headlights. They have the same basic sleek shape as before, but the daytime running lights now cut into the front bumper a bit like they do on the Peugeot 508. The lower bumper is also new, with larger intakes lending the car a more sporty appearance.

There’s a range of new alloy wheels to choose from, starting at 16-inches and rising to 19-inch rims for the spicy vRS version. The rear lights now have a slightly different LED light pattern, and the lower bumper has been tweaked as well.

New Skoda Octavia interior and infotainment

While the new Skoda Octavia’s basic dashboard design has stayed the same, there’s a raft of new technology available inside and some new interior trim options.

As standard you still get a 10.0-inch touchscreen, however a new 13.0-inch screen is now available as an option for the first time. It’s similar to the system you get in the Volkswagen ID7, and both setups have ChatGPT AI integration for more advanced voice commands.

Skoda is continuing to uphold its reputation for ultimate practicality by adding some new ‘Simply Clever’ features to the updated Octavia. Joining the ice scraper in the fuel door and the umbrella in the door is a new tablet holder for the rear seats and a new storage box for occupants to store bags and bottles.

New Skoda Octavia engines

The new Skoda Octavia is available with a similar range of petrol and diesel engines to the outgoing car. The range kicks off with a 1.5-litre petrol with 116hp and a six-speed manual gearbox, or you can get it with an automatic transmission.

There’s another 1.5-litre petrol with 150hp, and this is also available with either manual or automatic gearboxes. If diesel power takes your fancy then there are two to choose from. They’re both 2.0-litre units, one with 116hp and one with 150hp.

New Skoda Octavia vRS gets more power

If you want a family-friendly car with hot-hatch performance, the Octavia vRS is still here to scratch that itch. It still uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, however it now makes 265hp. That’s 20hp more than the outgoing car.

It’s also exactly the same as you get in the recently-revised Volkswagen Golf GTI, however you get 15hp more in a Ford Focus ST. Skoda has also removed the option of a manual gearbox in the Octavia vRS, with all cars now getting a seven-speed automatic.

When can I buy the new Skoda Octavia?

The new Skoda Octavia will go on sale later this year, with first deliveries likely to start in the summer. Pricing hasn’t been announced just yet, however a small increase is par for the course when a car is updated. Expect a starting figure of around £27,000, rising to around £40,000 for the hot vRS.

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