The ŠKODA OCTAVIA liftback is considered the most popular model of the Czech brand. With each generation, the car becomes more modern, beautiful and technologically advanced. In the new generation, which received the factory designation A8, it began to resemble a smaller copy of the flagship SUPERB. The new interior and improved trim levels made it a desirable purchase for fans of the Czech brand. What is so good about the new OCTAVIA? We will tell you in our review.
Impressive appearance
The new OCTAVIA is built on the modular MQB platform, it was first presented to the general public at the end of 2019 in Prague. The premiere of the fourth generation was timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Octavia model. In fact, for many today it has become synonymous with the ŠKODA brand, or rather the heart of the brand. The design of the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA was developed by the new chief designer of the Czech brand, Oliver Stefani, who took up this post in August 2017.
The previous generation was drawn under the supervision of Josef Kaban. If earlier the model’s body had sharp lines, now the emphasis in the design of the model is on greater emotionality and visual dynamics. At the same time, they decided to abandon the bold solution of separate front optics in the new model.
The new grille is framed by much more elegant optics. Already in the basic configuration it is LED, matrix headlights will appear on the top versions, and the rear lights reminiscent of the famous Czech crystal can be equipped with dynamic turn signals. One of the main new features of the OCTAVIA is the use of full-LED Matrix headlights. The OCTAVIA is the second model to feature this technology, following the new SUPERB.
These lights also participate in the Coming Home/Leaving Home animated lighting function: when the car is locked and unlocked, the rear lights gradually light up from the outer to the inner edge and back again. This is accompanied by flashing turn signals. In the top-of-the-range version, the rear lights also feature the design lighting function in the upper section: when the rear light is on, the crystal segments glow passively.
The new ŠKODA OCTAVIA is available in seven paint finishes and nine wheel variants with diameters from 16 to 18 inches. In Russia, the car received a package for bad roads by default, which increased the ground clearance to 158 millimeters. The appearance of the liftback turned out to be expressive, while it is moderately restrained. The new design turned out to be both recognizable and attractive.
Interior and trunk
The front panel of the new OCTAVIA has been completely redesigned and bears little resemblance to the version offered in the previous generation of the model. It embodies the features of the new ŠKODA philosophy. Thanks to a wide variety of materials, seat upholstery layouts and decorative elements, buyers will be able to create an interior in which they will feel at home. Optional background lighting installed along the dashboard and extending to the front door panels will place additional accents on the refined surfaces of the dashboard.
The steering wheel is trimmed with leather and equipped with electric heating. The buttons on the steering wheel allow you to control the media system, navigation, mobile phone and electronic assistants. The interior has a compartment for a Phone Box mobile phone with a wireless charging function and two USB-C ports. In total, the interior has five USB sockets. One of them is under the ceiling for connecting a video recorder. The multimedia system has a large 10-inch high-resolution touch screen, which provides a premium look of the interior and a rich picture that is readable in any lighting.
Information about the functions of the car, as well as an image from the rear view camera, is displayed here. Some information can be duplicated on the digital instrument panel. It can display an analog speedometer and tachometer, you can leave a minimum of information, or you can give the entire panel to a navigation map. The main trump card of the OCTAVIA liftback has always been considered a roomy trunk. In the new generation, it has become even more roomy – the volume has grown to 578 liters.
In the underground there can be either a full-size spare wheel or a spare tire. There is an electric drive for the trunk lid. With the backrests folded, the volume of the luggage compartment reaches 1,533 liters, you can carry large items. The manufacturer has added even more convenient and ingenious solutions to the Simply Clever concept to its new Octavia.
We have already gotten used to most of them, like a scraper in the gas tank flap or an umbrella in the driver’s door niche, now there is also a snow brush in the passenger door niche. The drink compartment has special latches so you can open a bottle of water with one hand, and the backs of the front seats have new convenient pockets for mobile phones.
The new Octavia has definitely become quieter on the move. The noise from the tires hardly penetrates into the cabin. Under the hood of our car is a 1.4 TSI gasoline turbo engine with a capacity of 150 horsepower. This is a familiar reliable, economical and dynamic engine. Paired with a manual gearbox, as in our version, you can easily overtake and change lanes.
In the showroom of the official ŠKODA dealer in Rostov-on-Don “AAA Motors Center” you can also buy a version with a classic automatic. A special feature of the model with an automatic transmission is the compact gear selector. There are no mechanical connections between the selector and the gearbox, control is carried out only by electric wires. If you open the door with the gear engaged, the gearbox will automatically switch to “parking” mode. A little later, models with a basic naturally aspirated 1.6 MPI engine with a capacity of 110 horsepower and a top-end two-liter power unit with a capacity of 190 horsepower will go on sale.
Adaptive cruise control is a function familiar from the previous generation of OCTAVIA. In the new generation, it is available only in the version operating at speeds of up to 210 km / h, i.e. the version active at speeds of up to 160 km / h will not be offered in the new generation OCTAVIA. Now, adaptive cruise control is equipped with a start-stop system for cars with manual and automatic transmissions. Cars with a robotic DSG gearbox can maintain the distance to the vehicle in front and even come to a complete stop in heavy traffic, and then automatically resume driving again. With a manual gearbox, the system can maintain the distance to the vehicle in front, provided that the driver keeps the engine running in a suitable gear, and continues to do so until the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the gear shift is engaged. If the driver then engages the gear again and starts driving, the car again follows the vehicle in front with the support of the driver, who controls the clutch and gearshift lever.
Summary
Every detail of the new OCTAVIA has been created with genuine care and special attention to the driver and each passenger. It is felt that the car has been created according to high quality standards and using modern technologies. In terms of equipment, comfort and quality of materials, the new OCTAVIA is not inferior to cars of more expensive brands. At the same time, it has everything that is necessary not only for the driver, but also for passengers. And the excellent dynamics and excellent control provide real driving pleasure.
It is not for nothing that OCTAVIA is considered the most popular model in the entire 125-year history of the brand. The absolute bestseller of the brand. Since 1959, more than 7 million cars have been sold, the name of which is familiar to buyers in more than 100 countries around the world. Generations of the car changed, but the main thing remained unchanged: OCTAVIA always gave customers more than they could expect. You can get to know the new product better in the showroom of the official dealer in Rostov-on-Don “AAA Motors Center” on Teatralny 60b/341.
More details in AAA Motors Center, pr. Teatralny, 60b/341 and by phone. +7 (863) 305 00 00
