Practical experience Skoda Octavia: this is what owners think of their car

The current generation Skoda Octavia has been on the market since 2020. Just like the Volkswagen Golf, it has competition from its own home. After all, those in the market for a Skoda can also opt for the SUV-like Karoq or the even larger Kodiaq, which owners are quite pleased with. For those who absolutely want a large Skoda with the new infotainment system, the Octavia is currently the only choice.

Skoda Octavia: infotainment and controls

To start immediately with the infotainment: the Octavia uses the second generation MQB platform. This also includes the far-reaching touch control that is known from the Volkswagen Golf 8 and Seat Leon. In these cars, the system knows how to please users to a limited extent, the Octavia is no exception.

“The infotainment seems made for when you’re standing still, but cars usually drive,” writes a less satisfied user. “For example, sliders that work awkwardly on the screen.” He also criticizes the navigation system: “Navigation system is not great. If you say a place name, Laura will not confirm the place name, but the municipality.” With Laura he refers to the speech assistant, who actually listens to this beautiful girl’s name at Skoda.

“Climate control is really a drama”, says another user. “No physical keys, so everything is hidden in a (slow) menu. Turning up the fan is therefore instead of turning a button, you can now navigate through 2 menus and then press. Too bad, I would have preferred a button.” Almost all users who are familiar with the interface also report that the system could have been faster.

Space and comfort

A distinguishing point of the Octavia compared to its cousins ​​and competitors is the interior space, especially in the case of the station version Octavia Combi. The following driver previously drove a Toyota Corolla: “In terms of interior space (both interior and trunk), the Octavia wipes the floor with the Corolla and probably with almost all C-segmenters. The difference is much bigger than you would expect based on the outside dimensions. A third shopping crate just goes in the trunk.”

There are also no complaints about the seating comfort. “The seats are comfortable, not too hard, although I sometimes miss some support in the upper legs, but I soon have that. Unfortunately, this car does not have an extendable seat,” writes the user of a 2020 Octavia Combi 1.0 TSI Business Edition Plus. “I am 1.90 meters tall and can sit comfortably in length and height. Even a 10+ hour drive doesn’t make me get out crippled,” another confirms.

How does the Octavia drive?

So far, the Octavia does what you would expect based on its specifications. How about driving? “Extremely comfortable. That pretty much sums up how this car drives,” writes the owner of the Business Edition Plus. “The car is not stiffly sprung and is clearly not intended for the track, but it just drives very well. Roundabouts are easy to take at speed, thresholds and bumps are nicely filtered out.”

You would almost think that all review writers have aligned their stories. “The driving characteristics are predictable and aimed more at comfortable than sporty driving,” writes this owner. “Saying right here, I immediately set the driving mode to ‘sporty’. The other modes make the car, in my opinion, very soft. Also, the power steering is then set to maximum, which I do not like. The car then sends really too light and is not very communicative. As for driving (in sport)… otherwise completely satisfied!” As far as we know, this model does not have an adaptive suspension, presumably the sports mode makes the car emotionally tighter.

This 1.5 TSI driver notes that the comfortable chassis has a downside: “However, the car has a somewhat soft suspension, so that you sometimes hit the end stop of the springs at thresholds. Especially if you are in the car with 5 people. Perhaps a set of auxiliary springs will help.”

Maintenance, malfunctions and irritations

We regularly read about teething problems and teething problems with cars with the latest generation of MQB platform. The Octavia was not completely free of this either. Especially in the beginning, owners had to contend with malfunctions of the infotainment system. “Software problems… yes, I’ve had those before,” writes a driver to whom it comes as no surprise. “Some things have been fixed after an update, but the reversing camera still has problems now and then. Waiting for a new software update?” This driver is also challenged by the software: “Infotainment/Virtual Cockpit looks nice but really has its quirks. When starting, it may be that the certain functions are suddenly gone. This happens with great regularity. When starting, the climate control is often missing from the display, operation is then simply impossible.” Fortunately, after several updates, the stability of the system seems to be increasing.

In addition, several users report a problem with the adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. These errors seem to be caused by the steering wheel, replacement should offer solace, but this owner does not seem to be the solution. “After a new steering wheel and new alternator, the car will be repaired again – there should be a solution from the factory by now. Everything is under warranty, but it gives a sloppy impression that such problems remain without a solution for almost 2 years.”

Skoda Octavia: the engines

Most reviewers opted for the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI engine with 110 hp. “The 1.0 with mild hybrid technology is fine in the Netherlands,” says someone who is on the road with this engine every day. He adds: “I haven’t had one come up short yet. I understand the reaction that you don’t dare, but my tip is: go try it if you’re in doubt.”

The owner of an Octavia Scout not officially available in the Netherlands writes about vibrations. If you think he describes a three-cylinder with that, you’re wrong, because under the hood of his car is a 1.5 TSI (150 hp) with cylinder deactivation. “Shortly after the start, the two-cylinder mode also made itself heard … or rather: felt,” he writes. “You then feel vibrations that are reminiscent of an engine speed that is too low when driving in a gear that is too high. Not bothersome, but I noticed it. Add a little gas and it’s gone. However, the manufacturer claims that switching between 4 and 2 cylinders is completely unnoticeable, but that is not the case.”

Whether the Octavia is still such a good choice below the line? Although the model, like the Golf and Leon, is not problem-free, it remains an unadulterated Skoda in the base. Its strong assets are and remain space and comfort, these are the properties that users appreciate best.