Skoda Octavia Estate - Interior & comfort

Both the exterior and interior of the latest Octavia and the Estate version now seem to exude a level of sophistication and quality that the Octavia has never quite reached before. Unfortunately, that's also reflected in the price, which easily hits close to £30,000 in a higher trim. Add some of the many optional extras and the cost can spiral almost into BMW 3 Series territory.

Skoda Octavia Estate dashboard

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No mere makeover, the Octavia's interior takes a fresh new approach. Its dashboard is dominated by a wide span of metallic trim, above which sits a slim infotainment display. This measures 8.25-inches in entry-level cars and 10 inches in higher trims, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.

Soft-touch materials and ambient lighting help the Octavia feel more upmarket and it's pleasantly uncluttered inside, with even the volume taken care of by a slider at the bottom of the screen. Touch-sensitive controls have proved frustrating in some models but they work pretty well here, and can also be used to zoom in and out on the sat nav. Below this, there's a discreet row of rocker switches and a centre console with a small toggle-style gear selector for automatics. This frees up lots of space, even allowing your smartphone to sit in front of it and charge wirelessly (if you’ve chosen this optional function).

There are digital instrument dials (measuring 10.25 inches) with clear graphics, sitting behind a new two-spoke steering wheel. This can be configured to display several items such as the current speed, what media you currently have playing or even full-screen maps with sat-nav directions. Up to five USB-C ports allow every occupant to charge their portable device while on the move. Clever touches include a conveniently placed USB-C port in the headlining next to the rear view mirror, which allows you to power a dashcam while keeping the wiring neat.

Equipment

All versions of the Octavia Estate come well-equipped. Standard kit includes a DAB radio, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. Dual-zone air conditioning and cruise control are also standard.

Three main trim levels are available, excluding the standalone vRS. As well as the kit mentioned above, SE-spec cars get 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless start, rear parking sensors and LED headlights.

The mid-range SE Technology version is typically aimed at business users, but it’s a great fit for private buyers too. It benefits from front and rear parking sensors and the upgraded 10-inch touchscreen with sat-nav.

Stepping up to the range-topping SE L model adds chrome exterior trim, rear privacy glass, headlight washers and heated and folding door mirrors. Inside the larger 10-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, including voice control. Front heated seats, microsuede cloth upholstery and LED ambient interior lighting are also included. SE L cars also benefit from additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and blind spot monitoring.