Skoda Octavia hatchback - Interior & comfort
The interior has been given a technological overhaul
The Octavia's interior has been completely revamped, with a new design that feels upmarket and modern. Gone are the days when the Octavia felt basic compared with the equivalent Volkswagen Golf; in fact, some will prefer sitting in the Skoda to the VW.
Perhaps that should be no surprise given that less than £2,000 now separates the closely related cars, but you also get more space in the bigger Octavia, which could be a winning factor if you have a family.
Skoda Octavia dashboard
Thanks to a digital revolution at the Volkswagen Group, the Octavia's dashboard has undergone a transformation. A Virtual Cockpit instrument display is now available, while a large 10-inch infotainment screen is standard, and now appears to hover in front of the fascia.
A sweeping metallic band spans from the front doors across the dash, giving it a strong look. It's also somewhat functional, providing a place to anchor your hand while using the touchscreen and a structure for the single row of buttons and middle air vents. An electric handbrake and small gear selector (in automatics) provides more central storage space for your smartphone and drinks.
Equipment
The Octavia launched with SE First Edition and SE L First Edition trim levels, both of which offered decent amounts of equipment, but are no longer available. A set of 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit, rear parking sensors, an eight speaker sound system, climate control and cruise control were all fitted.
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SE is the entry-level model of the current line-up, with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting and a 10-inch touchscreen compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Auto. For convenience, there's also dual-zone climate control, cruise control and voice activation.
SE L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim and tinted glass, 'Microsuede' upholstery, heated front seats, a 10-inch infotainment screen with sat nav and voice control, front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The related launch model, SE L First Edition, also gets ambient lighting, blind-spot monitoring and a powered driver’s seat.
Options
It's possible to add a variety of options to the Octavia, from styling items such as 18-inch alloy wheels, to practical items including a temporary space-saver spare wheel that costs around £200. It's a shame Skoda's digital Virtual Cockpit is no longer standard, instead costing just shy of £500 for the SE trim. A number of rivals also offer a wireless charging pad on higher trims, but it costs around £350 to add to the Octavia. Dynamic chassis control (DCC) can be fitted to adjust the suspension through Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual modes, costing a fraction less than £1,000.
Other items that owners may be drawn to include a powered bootlid (£640) and factory-fitted tow bar that can be folded out of sight, costing around £1,000.
Which Is Best?
Cheapest
- Name1.0 TSI SE 5dr
- Gearbox typeManual
- Price£23,665
Most Economical
- Name1.4 TSI iV SE Technology DSG 5dr
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£33,395
Fastest
- Name2.0 TSI vRS 5dr DSG
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£35,245