Skoda Octavia: At a time when the Indian car market is flooded with SUVs, the Skoda Octavia is still one of the most premium and the most capable sedans in the country.
The Octavia aces elegance in European styling, fabulous engine power and extremely spacious interiors has earned it a very loyal customer base.
Pricier than your typical sedan, it gives competing brands a run for the money in terms of build CDJR5 quality, performance and technology.
If you put a premium on driving joy, comfort and discreet elegance, the Octavia makes a very strong case for itself. Now we’re going to dissect what this car presents and whether it’s still a smart buy in today’s marketplace.
Skoda Octavia Design – Simple Yet Elegant
The all-new Skoda Octavia features a more grown-up, premium design language. The fascia at the front has sharp LED headlamps, bold but clean grill, and sharp lines sculpted neatly into the body.
It’s not showy and that’s why it appeals to people who don’t want to have to shout to be noticed.
From the profile, the long wheelbase and coupe-ish roofline contribute to its luxury sedan DNA. At the back, smooth LED taillamps and a subtle spoiler finish things out. It’s a design that doesn’t shout for attention, but it sure does capture it.
Interior Features Roomy, Well-Equipped Interior
Slip inside the Octavia and you are welcomed with a similarly minimalistic, well put-together cabin. It has a clean interior design, with a large touchscreen dominating the center stack and a fully digital instrument cluster that feels contemporary and easy to use.
The materials are soft-touch and high-grade and care has been taken over every detail, from the knurled knobs to the ambient lighting.
Up front there’s big, ventilated and very comfortable seats, and those in the rear have plenty of leg- and head-room – it’s a real four-adult car for long trips.
Key features include:
10-inch infotainment touchscreen
Virtual Cockpit (all-digital instrument cluster)
CarPlay and Android Auto: wireless
Dual-zone climate control
Sun Roof (Only in International Models)
A few USB-C ports and rear AC vents
Performance And Ride Quality Of The Engine
The Octavia gets a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol motor churning out 190 bhp of power and 320 Nm of peak torque that is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. It is this union of features that makes the Octavia a driver’s car in the real sense of the word.
It accelerates briskly, overtakes easily and cruises at high speeds in a stable and refined manner.
The DSG gearbox respondsitions smoothly, handling sharp turns and highways with equal ease.
Ride quality is smooth and does a good job of taking the edge off of bumps, and you get a high level of confidence between your palms and the steering wheel.
Mileage and Practicality
The Octavia, despite its powerful motor, is able to return decent fuel economy. In city, you may get around 10–12 kmpl and on highways 16–17 (depending on driving) journalism.
Its boot capacity of 600 litre is one of the highest of its class and the car excels in weekend getaways and airport runs.
Safety and Build Quality
Skoda’s reputation for solid build quality precedes it and the Octavia is no different. It feels substantial in every panel and every door shut. Safety features include:
8 airbags
ABS with EBD
ESC Systems (Electronic Stability Control)
Tyre Pressure Monitor System
Rear parking sensors with rear camera and rear acoustic camera notifications.
Though it hasn’t been NCAP tested in India yet, the European safety ratings and the level of build confidence on the Octavia are both positive factors.
Pros:
Superior quality and sophisticated European design
Potent turbo-petrol engine mated to a refined DSG gearbox
Interior Wide and luxurious interior
Premium tech and infotainment plugins
Boot space and on-road ride quality are all very good
Decent construction and safety features
Cons:
Not dieselts. option in current generation
A bit costly compared to other SUVs of the same size
The low ground clearance can become an issue on bumpy roads
Lacks all-wheel-drive variant
Spare Parts could be costly
Skoda Octavia Final Verdict
The Skoda Octavia remains a proper sedan for people who love to drive, appreciate understated luxury and don’t want to be a part of the SUV horde. It’s smooth, quick, roomy, and solid as a tank.
For city slickers and blue-collar nuclear families or motoring enthusiasts who want the best car they can get, without stepping up into a luxury brand, the Octavia offers more than just utility – it offers a rewarding driving experience.
