Digital Dashboard, Voice Control Boost: Octavia Gets Tech Upgrade & Style Refresh

 The fourth generation of the Škoda Octavia is set to enter its next production phase with a renewed focus on purpose. The refreshed design includes revamped front and rear bumpers, an updated Škoda grille, second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights, revised LED rear lights with animated indicators, and new alloy wheel designs. The new range structure comprises four trim levels – Essence, Selection, Sportline, and RS – and nine Design Selections for the interior.

Selected model variants now come with a 10 inch Digital Display as standard, while the familiar 10 inch Virtual Cockpit remains available. A 13 inch infotainment display is available as an option for the first time on the Octavia. The AI-based ChatGPT chatbot will be integrated into the Laura voice assistant as standard, offering new capabilities beyond previous voice commands. Intelligent Park Assist and Remote Park Assist also debut.

The engine line-up includes two 1.5 TSI petrol engines, two power-boosted 2.0 TSI petrol engines, and two diesels with outputs ranging from 85 kW (115 hp) to 195 kW (265 hp) . Škoda Auto has extended its comprehensive portfolio of active and passive safety features, including a new Attention and Drowsiness Assist. The updated Octavia comes with up to 10 airbags.

The updated Octavia offers a fresh look with new aprons and a revised Škoda grille. The advanced second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights, featuring Crystallinium elements and 36 individual matrix segments, provide better illumination of the road ahead than the first generation and effectively shield oncoming road users from headlight glare. The hatchback and estate versions are available in four trim levels: Essence, Selection, Sportline, and RS.

The basic headlights now use only LED technology as standard, with the second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights available as an option for the Selection and Sportline trim levels, and as standard on the RS models. The inner module has 36 individual matrix segments in two rows, 12 more than in the previous generation, making for even better illumination. Fog lights have been replaced by an all-weather function, adjusting the light output to the respective weather conditions. Full LED rear lights are available in two versions: the basic variant comes with the Essence and Selection trim levels, while the top version offers an animated Coming/Leaving Home function and animated indicators that extend into the tailgate.

New additions to the range of wheels include silver 16-inch Matar wheels, black, glossy machined 17 inch Slagard aero wheels, 18-inch Lerna, and RS-specific 19-inch Elias wheels in glossy machined silver or anthracite with black Aero trims. The Octavia's color palette comprises three solid colors and seven metallic finishes, with Mamba Green exclusive to the Sportline and RS models and Phoenix Orange only available on the Octavia Combi.

The updated Octavia offers nine interior design options, focusing on sustainable materials. The model now features a 13-inch central infotainment display, USB-C ports for three times more charging power, and an AI-based ChatGPT chatbot integrated into the Laura voice assistant as standard. The dual-zone Climatronic system is now standard on all models, and the interior includes a 15-watt Phone Box for inductive fast-charging and cooling functions. USB-C ports now deliver 45 watts, three times more charging power than before. The Kessy keyless vehicle access system automatically unlocks or locks the vehicle when the driver enters or leaves within 1.5 meters of the car while carrying the key.

The interior of the updated Škoda Octavia features new upholstery, trim, and door panel designs, using sustainable materials in some of the nine Design Selections. Examples include recycled fabrics in the Lodge and Sportline Design Selections and sustainably treated leather in the Suite Design Selection. The perforated leather in the Suite Design Selection is available in Black and Cognac, marking a first for the Octavia. The ergonomic front seats have an AGR seal of approval and a ventilation and massage function. Unique Dark Chrome trim elements are used in the interior and on the steering wheel, featuring the new, two-dimensional Škoda logo.

Overview of the Design Selections

Trim level	Name of interior	Seats
Essence	Studio	Black fabric
Selection	Loft	Black fabric
	Lodge	Recycled fabric/artificial leather
	Lounge	Black Suedia/artificial leather
	Suite Black	AGR certified ergonomic seats Black perforated eco leather/artificial leather
	Suite Cognac	AGR certified ergonomic seats Cognac perforated eco leather/artificial leather
Sportline	Sportline	Sports seats, recycled grey fabric/artificial leather
RS	RS Fabric	Black fabric
	RS Suedia	Artificial leather/black Suedia

The revised Octavia offers several Simply Clever features, including an automatic retractable luggage compartment cover for easier cargo access, a dedicated storage box for rear passengers' belongings, a multifunction pocket with two variable hooks, an optional tablet holder for sports seats, and sustainable materials for the fuel filler flap and umbrella. The hand brush in the front door compartment remains standard equipment, while the optional ice scraper and umbrella are now made from sustainable materials.

The Škoda Octavia is a compact car with advanced four-cylinder engines, including four petrol units and two diesels. Power outputs range from 85 kW (115 hp) in entry-level variants to 195 kW (265 hp) in the Octavia RS. The updated Octavia starts with a 1.5 TSI petrol engine and a 2.0 TDI diesel, each with 85 kW of power and a manual 6-speed gearbox. The entry-level petrol engine is optionally available with mild-hybrid technology and DSG. Energy recovered during braking is stored in a 48-volt lithium-ion battery using a water-cooled 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator. Both 1.5 TSI engines can switch off two cylinders using ACT+ active cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel consumption. The turbocharger features variable turbine geometry and superior thermal efficiency. Both 2.0 TSI engines inject fuel with a pressure of 350 bar and feature variable valve lift. Improved air intake and friction optimisation contribute to increased power output. The 150 kW (204 hp) variant with all-wheel drive as standard runs on the Budack cycle with an increased compression ratio of 12.2:1. The top petrol engine in the Octavia RS now produces 195 kW (265 hp) – 15 kW (20 hp) more than before.

Engine line-up

Petrol engines
Power	Torque [Nm]	Drive	Transmission
1.5 TSI/85 kW (115 hp)	220	FWD	6-speed manual
1.5 TSI/85 kW (115 hp) mHEV	220	FWD	7-speed automatic
1.5 TSI/110 kW (150 hp)	250	FWD	6-speed manual
1.5 TSI/110 kW (150 hp) mHEV	250	FWD	7-speed automatic
2.0 TSI/150 kW (204 hp) (2025)	320	AWD	7-speed automatic
2.0 TSI/195 kW (265 hp)	370	FWD	7-speed automatic
Diesel engines
Power	Torque [Nm]	Drive	Transmission
2.0 TDI/85 kW (115 hp)	300	FWD	6-speed manual
2.0 TDI/110 kW (150 hp)	360	FWD	7-speed automatic

Škoda Auto has updated the Octavia with an enhanced level of active and passive safety, including the introduction of the Attention and Drowsiness Assist, which uses an innovative algorithm to assess driver behavior more precisely. This system monitors driver behavior and assesses their level of drowsiness, detecting deviations from normal steering behaviour at speeds above 65 km/h and continuously evaluating their fitness to drive. If fatigue is detected, it triggers visual and audible warnings in the Virtual Cockpit at three levels: recommendation, warning, and escalation.

The Intelligent Park Assist, available only with automatic transmission, allows the Octavia to enter and exit parallel and perpendicular parking spaces automatically. It now controls steering, brakes, speed, and direction of travel, and stops automatically if an obstacle is detected. The upcoming Remote Park Assist allows the driver to control Intelligent Park Assist manoeuvres remotely from outside the vehicle via the MyŠkoda app. The vehicle and smartphone communicate via Bluetooth when the user is within four meters of the Octavia, and the maximum speed during the manoeuvre is 9.5 km/h.

The Škoda Octavia is one of the safest vehicles in its class, having successfully repeated its 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP reference test for crash safety in 2022. Since summer 2022, up to ten airbags have been standard, with rear side airbags available as an option.

The Škoda Octavia Sportline trim level offers a dynamic design with sports suspension and progressive steering as standard. This trim level combines elements of the RS look with other powertrains in the series, including the 1.5 TSI, 2.0 TSI, and 2.0 TDI diesels. The Škoda grille surround, window frames, and wing mirrors are finished in Black Magic metallic, while the rear side windows and rear window are tinted. The spoiler lips on the front apron, hatchback's tailgate, and roof spoiler on the Combi are also painted in Black Magic metallic. LED rear lights with animated turn indicators and animated Coming/Leaving Home function are standard, while LED Matrix beam headlights are available as an option. The Octavia Sportline comes with new black 17-inch brushed Slagard aero wheels as standard, with 18-inch Vega aero wheels and 19-inch Draconis wheels exclusive to the Sportline as options. The front wings are adorned with redesigned Sportline badges, and the interior is modelled on the RS. Examples include the three-spoke multifunction sports leather steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals, and decorative strips in Black Middle Carbon on the dashboard and gloss black on the doors. The Sportline Design Selection features grey recycled fabric and artificial leather upholstery for the sports seats and door trims.

The Škoda RS designation has been used to identify the sportiest versions of the Octavia since 2000. The updated Octavia RS comes with an exclusive 2.0 TSI engine, producing 195 kW (265 hp), an increase of 15 kW over its predecessor. It is always mated to a 7-speed automatic DSG transmission and is equipped with the Budack cycle for efficiency. The standard sports suspension is lowered by 15 millimetres, and the Octavia RS versions now feature genuine sports exhausts with black tailpipes as standard.

Extensive RS detailing emphasizes the car's sporty appearance, with the Škoda grille surround, window frames, wing mirrors, roof rails, front apron, rear diffuser, red reflector strip, tinted rear side windows, and optional 19-inch brushed Elias alloy wheels in silver or anthracite. The RS models are the only Octavia variants to come with LED Matrix beam headlights as standard, including animated turn indicators and the animated Coming/Leaving Home function.

The interior of the Škoda Octavia RS is predominantly finished in sporty black, with the 13-inch central display and navigation system included as standard. The new range structure offers two RS-specific Design Selections: the optional RS Suite Design Selection and the RS Fabric Design Selection, which comes as standard. The sports seats with integrated headrests and new RS logo feature quilted fabric with red decorative stitching on the seat bolsters. The dashboard is covered with neoprene and artificial leather, with gloss black finish decorative strips on the doors and Black Middle Carbon trim on the dashboard.

In the optional RS Suite Design Selection, the sports seats have perforated covers made from Suedia microfibre and artificial leather, with additional red contrasting stitching on the seat surface and backrest. The front seats come with electrical adjustment, a memory function, seat cushion depth adjustment, adjustable lumbar support, and a massage function.

The modern Octavia, a Škoda model, has been in production since 1996 and has sold over seven million units. Its success can be traced back to 1959 when the company started producing its eighth post-war model, the Octavia. The Octavia was the last model built on a frame structure with a central support tube and featured advanced independent suspension all round. The original Octavia was derived from the popular Škoda 440 but featured a modern front axle with coil springs and other technical and visual updates.

The Octavia Combi, launched in 1960, was the most popular estate car in Europe across all segments since 2016. The fourth generation is currently the best-selling vehicle in seven European countries, including the Czech Republic, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The Octavia Combi is the number one estate car in 14 countries.

The Octavia has also been popular with police forces worldwide, serving as a police vehicle in Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, UK, Kosovo, or Morocco. The Octavia has received high praise from the international motoring press, winning numerous awards over the years. In 2020, the Octavia won the Red Dot Award for outstanding product design, first place in German "Auto Bild" for all-wheel drive cars up to 40,000 euros, and the title of "Best Family Car" in the Women's World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards.

In 2023, the Octavia was named "Best Company Car" in the compact category for the fifth time in a row by British car magazine "Auto Express". At the 2023 Car of the Year Awards, the Škoda best-seller was awarded the title of "Best family car for practicality." In February 2024, it won the compact class import category in the "Best Cars" awards from German car magazine "auto motor und sport" for the eleventh time running.