2017 Skoda Octavia Review
Car Tested: 2017 Skoda Octavia; Road Test No. 837; Test Location: Chandigarh
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 17.91 – 27.17 lakhs
With refreshed exteriors & improved features, the Skoda Octavia remains a favourite in its segment
Skoda entered the Indian market 16 years back with the first generation Octavia which actually sold in quite a lot of numbers and it was later replaced by the second generation of the sedan, which was brought down to India with the Laura nameplate, and then the automaker re-launched the Octavia in 2013. What we have here is a mid-life facelift of the third generation Octavia which doesn’t get many changes but keeps the product fresh.
Motor Quest: The Skoda Octavia is a very popular name in the Indian market but the first generation that was launched here sold in very good numbers and actually paved the way for the Czech automaker in India.
Minor changes at the rear include tweaked tail-lamps and bumper
Exteriors – The Skoda Octavia carries a minimalistic design that comes with a blend of premium appeal and sportiness. The front fascia carries an aggressive look and the facelifted model here comes with a new set of LED headlamps which have a love it or hate it design, while the new grille adds some flair to the styling. You also get restyled bumpers and revised LED tail-lamps. To complete the package, the alloy wheels have also been given a new design now. The grey colour that you see here is also new and looks quite good in flesh.
The dashboard is driver-centric and has rich quality materials
Interiors – The interior layout of the 2017 Skoda Octavia is largely similar to the older model. The layout of the dashboard continues to remain ergonomic while the centre console now houses a new infotainment system in a glass housing. The 8.0-inch touchscreen is easy to use and offers a seamless experience while the sound quality from the speakers is also crisp and clear. You also get smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Some other features on the Octavia include Driver Fatigue Detection System, ambient lighting, rearview camera, hands-free parking system and 8 airbags. The hands-free parking system makes the car steer on its own but you need to operate the accelerator and brake manually. Getting this tech to work properly requires a lot of practise because we tried it many times and it seldom worked. On one occasion it even showed perpendicular parking even though we had to park the car parallel. Also, the car’s turn indicators need to be on at the time of parking.
The new infotainment system is splendid to use
The Octavia has premium interiors with a long equipment list, seats are comfy
The front seats are large and supportive and comfort is very good even for long drives. You get electric adjustment for the driver’s seat only and the driving position is spot on! The instrument cluster now gets a colour MID which is also packed with info. Getting in and out of the rear seat isn’t the most comfortable. The rear bench is also decently spacious but the seat back is upright. Knee room is good while head room and shoulder space are average. The Octavia continues to get the notchback design like before. The boot is well-shaped and humongous at 590-litres which can be expanded to 1580-litres with the rear seats folded.
The Octavia gets 3 engines – 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI & 2.0 TDI
Performance – No mechanical changes have been made to the Octavia. It gets the same 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre TSI petrol engines. The 1.4-litre TSI engine is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission while the larger 1.8-litre unit gets a 7-speed DSG. Both the petrol engines feel refined and love to be revved. While the 1.4 unit churns out 150 PS at 5000-6000 RPM and 250 Nm at 1500-3500 RPM, the 1.8 unit produces 180 PS at 5100-6200 RPM and 250 Nm at 1250-5000 RPM. Performance from the 1.4 unit is satisfactory but won’t excite you while the 1.8-litre engine is a blast to drive and performance is mind-boggling. The DSG gearbox is quick when you mash the throttle but sometimes it also feels a bit confused. You can expect a fuel efficiency of around 11-14 km/l from the 1.4 engine and 9-12 km/l from the 1.8.
The engines have good power delivery and the DSG is super
The Octavia comes with a choice of really good powertrains, the DSG is brilliant too
The diesel engine is the familiar 2.0-litre TDI unit mated to a 6-speed DSG. It unleashes 143 PS at 3500-4000 RPM and 320 Nm at 1750-3000 RPM. This engine also provides oodles of fun and once you cross the turbo lag, the car accelerates at a rapid pace. You can expect a fuel efficiency of anywhere between 13-16 km/l with this motor. The oil burner gets either a 6-speed DSG or a 6-speed manual gearbox. We got to drive only the DSG trim which also gets paddle-shifters, a Sport mode for the gearbox as well as a manual tiptronic mode, it is a quick shifter and cogs are changed quickly.
Skoda has nailed the ride and handling balance on the Octy
Driving Dynamics – The rear track has been increased by 20 mm for the 1.4 and 2.0 variants while for the 1.8, it has been increased by 30 mm. Skoda has claimed that this helps improve ride and handling but we couldn’t find any noticeable difference. The 1.4 and 2.0 variants come with a torsion beam suspension set-up at the rear. Ride quality on the these variants is good most of the times but the car tends to unsettle passengers when you hit bad roads at high speeds. Compared to this, the 1.8 variant gets a multi-link suspension at the rear which provides a far better ride. Even on the handling front, the 1.8 feels a wee bit better. The steering has good feel though and it weighs up nicely and steers the car precisely too. No complaints on the braking front too, with stupendous stopping power from the all-wheel discs.
The Octavia feels safe with so much technology on-board
Safety and After Sales Service – Safety features on the 2017 Skoda Octavia include – 8 airbags on the top variant, 6 airbags on the mid variant and 4 airbags on the base variant. Along with that, you get ABS with EBD and HBA, Anti Slip Regulation with Motor Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, ESC, Multi Collision Braking, TPMS and an iBuzz Fatigue Alert which is only available on the top trim. Talking about service, while Skoda is taking some efforts to change their perception in customers’ minds, we cannot deny the fact that majority of the customer base still thinks that the automaker has poor service. Along with that, spare parts are known to be expensive too.
With these enhancements, the Octavia feels much more appealing now
Verdict – With this update, an already good product has become much better now. The Skoda Octavia has always been one of the best D-segment sedans and there’s a reason to it. With good looks, creature comforts, excellent engines and well-sorted dynamics, what is there to not like in the Octavia? Well, the price maybe! The Octavia is the priciest car in its segment and Skoda’s infamous after-sales and expensive spares make the car a slightly questionable purchase.
Skoda’s evolution over the years has been interesting
What’s Cool
* The styling remains classy without being loud
* Interiors feel premium, good quality materials everywhere
* 1.8 TSI engine has an incredible amount of punch
* Feels very engaging to drive
What’s Not So Cool
* Skoda’s after-sales service is far from the best
* Expensive spares will burn a hole in your pocket
Alternatives: Toyota Corolla Altis, Hyundai Elantra
If I had to pick, it would be the 1.8 TSI for me…