Skoda Octavia hatchback - Interior & comfort

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.

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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. 

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.