2024 Škoda Octavia: Quick Facts
- More dynamic look: redesigned front and rear aprons with updated Škoda grille
- Refined exterior: visual fine-tuning and new second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights
- Reworked interior: Lounge Design Selection, 13-inch infotainment display and additional sustainable materials
- Enhanced safety: new safety and assistance systems for even more advanced active and passive safety
2024 Škoda Octavia: Features
Škoda Auto has updated its iconic Octavia Wagon. With more than 7 million units sold worldwide, it is by far the brand’s best-selling model. Its fourth modern generation has now been given a freshened look that includes a revised Škoda grille and new second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights. The standard equipment offers features like a dual-zone Climatronic system, a virtual cockpit and a 13-inch Škoda infotainment system. Furthermore, the share of sustainable materials in the interior has increased.
The refresh of the fourth modern Octavia generation includes a new, upgraded design with revamped front and rear bumpers and an updated Škoda grille. Also new are the optional second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights, revised LED rear lights with animated indicators and new alloy wheel designs. The new range structure rolling out in New Zealand will initially comprise of two trim levels – Octavia and RS. The new launch edition model Octavia is available this month, followed by the RS in early 2025.
In addition to new and sustainable materials for the seats, dashboard and door panels, a 10-inch Digital Display will come as standard on selected model variants (later). The familiar 10-inch Virtual Cockpit with enhanced functionality and the optional head-up display remain available. Both versions of the digital instrument cluster feature reworked graphics, as do the infotainment displays.
A 13-inch infotainment display is available for the first time on the Octavia and comes as standard across the NZ range. The updated Octavia now also features a Phone Box with more powerful charging at up to 15 watts and ventilation as well as four fast-charging USB-C ports with a power output of 45 watts. The engine line-up consists of two petrol engines; a dependable 1.4l TSI and a powerful 195kW, 2.0 TSI exclusively paired to Octavia RS. Moreover, Škoda Auto has further extended its comprehensive portfolio of active and passive safety features: a new Attention and Drowsiness Assist now uses a wide range of data and parameters to assess driver behaviour. In addition, the updated Octavia comes with up to 10 airbags.
2024 Škoda Octavia: New front and rear aprons and a slightly longer body
The Octavia now features redesigned front and rear aprons that increase the overall length of the wagon by nine millimetres to 4,698 millimetres. The revised lower air intakes, Air Curtains and transitions to the front wheel arches on the front apron lend the car a more dynamic look, says Škoda. Moreover, the designers have adjusted the sides of the Škoda grille to match the height of the new headlights.
2024 Škoda Octavia: LIghting
The basic headlights now use only LED technology as standard. The second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights will be available in the RS. While the outer bi-LED module is used for the low and high beam, the inner module has 36 individual matrix segments in two rows. This makes for even better illumination, while oncoming drivers are shielded even more effectively when the high beam is switched on. Fog lights have been replaced by an all-weather function automatically adapting the light output to the respective weather conditions. The LED rear lights offer an animated Coming/Leaving Home function as well as animated indicators that extend into the tailgate.
2024 Škoda Octavia: Exclusive colours and new wheels
The Octavia’s colour palette comprises of three solid colours and seven metallic finishes. Phoenix Orange is available exclusively on the Octavia Wagon while Mamba Green is limited to the RS. New wheel designs also make an appearance. The launch edition has a larger, 18-inch ‘Lerna’ design in glossy machined silver. This contrasts the updated RS which is now sporting a trimline specific, 19-inch ‘Elias’ in anthracite with black Aero trims.
2024 Škoda Octavia: New displays, reworked graphics and more comprehensive equipment
The updated Octavia comes with even more comprehensive standard equipment, including a first for the model series, a 13-inch central infotainment screen and an all-new 10-inch Digital Display to replace the analogue instrument cluster. The 10-inch Digital Display will become available at a later date, while the upgraded 10-inch Virtual Cockpit comes as standard.
The interior also includes a Phone Box with a maximum output of 15 watts, offering inductive fast-charging of smartphones as well as a ventilation function. USB-C ports now deliver an output of 45 watts and thus three times more charging power than before. The upgraded KESSY keyless vehicle access system now automatically unlocks or locks the vehicle as soon as the driver enters or leaves an area within 1.5 metres of the car while carrying the key.
2024 Škoda Octavia: New upholstery and decorative trims
The updated Škoda Octavia comes with new upholstery, trim and door panel designs. Škoda uses sustainable materials in some of the nine optional Design Selections, which are clustered around the trim levels. Examples range from recycled fabrics to sustainably treated leather. The optional Suite interior features ergonomic front seats that wear the AGR (Healthy Back Campaign) seal of approval. These also boast ventilation and massage functions. In another first for the Octavia, Unique Dark Chrome trim elements are used in the interior and on the steering wheel, which now features the new, two-dimensional Škoda logo.
2024 Škoda Octavia: Sustainability
Reflecting Škoda’s commitment to sustainability, the husks of the coffee cherry – otherwise a waste product – are used to sustainably tan the leather for the seats in the Suite Design Selection, replacing traditional chemicals. The coffee beans come from carefully selected family farms in India and Tanzania that have been awarded the Rainforest Alliance certification. Upon arrival in the Czech Republic, the coffee beans are processed at the Jablum family roasting plant in Bezděčín, Mladá Boleslav.
2024 Škoda Octavia: New Simply Clever features
The revised Octavia also introduces new Simply Clever features. A semi-automatic retractable luggage compartment cover is fitted to the Wagon. This slides back when the boot is opened, ensuring easy access to the cargo area. A storage box to hold rear passengers’ bags, cups and bottles is also making its debut. The optional tablet holder on the back of the front seats is now also available for the sports seats and the ice scraper in the fuel filler flap as well as the umbrella in the front door are now made from sustainable materials. The hand brush in the dedicated front door compartment also remains part of the available equipment.
2024 Škoda Octavia: New safety and assistance systems
Škoda Auto has further refined the Octavia’s level of active and passive safety. The new Attention and Drowsiness Assist uses an innovative algorithm to assess driver behaviour more precisely. Later this year, a new Automated Emergency Brake – Pedestrian Rear function will be introduced, which will detect people behind the car more reliably when reversing. The updated Octavia comes with up to ten airbags.
2024 Škoda Octavia: Innovative algorithm assesses driver behaviour
In the updated Octavia, Škoda has replaced Driver Alert with the Attention and Drowsiness Assist, as seen in the all-new Superb and all-new Kodiaq. The system monitors the driver’s behaviour and assesses their level of drowsiness. While Driver Alert mainly analysed data from the electromechanical power steering, the Attention and Drowsiness Assist accesses information from various vehicle control units, such as the Lane Assist. It uses an innovative algorithm to recognise short-term inattention (distraction) and long-term inattention (fatigue). It detects deviations from normal steering behaviour at speeds above 65 km/h and continuously evaluates the driver’s behaviour to draw conclusions about their fitness to drive. If the system concludes that the driver is fatigued, it triggers visual and audible warnings in the Virtual Cockpit at three levels: recommendation, warning and escalation. If the driver does not respond to any of the system’s warnings, the Emergency Assist will pull the seatbelts and jolt the brakes. The system then triggers the warning lights, holds the lane and slows down to a complete standstill.
2024 Škoda Octavia: High level of passive safety
The Škoda Octavia is one of the safest vehicles in its class. In 2022, it successfully repeated its 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP reference test for crash safety, even under the more stringent test conditions. Up to ten airbags protect the vehicle’s occupants in the event of an accident; the central airbag between the driver and front passenger; the knee airbag for the driver, the driver and front passenger airbags as well as side airbags and head airbags, come as standard.
2025 Škoda Octavia RS: The sporty range-topper
Quick Facts:
- The legendary Škoda RS designation has been used to identify the sportiest versions of the Octavia since 2000. In addition to the traditional gloss black detailing and the exclusive 2.0 TSI engine, now with 195 kW (265 hp), the Octavia RS also comes with LED Matrix beam headlights as standard. The RS Fabric and RS Suedia Design Selections are exclusively available for the sporty, black RS interior.
- Sports suspension, limited-slip differential, LED Matrix beam headlights › Typical RS hallmarks include black exterior details and red reflector strip at the rear
- Exclusive 2.0 TSI engine with 195 kW (265 hp) and 370 Nm of torque
2025 Škoda Octavia RS: More powerful engine and lowered sports suspension
The updated Škoda Octavia RS comes exclusively with the 2.0 TSI engine delivering 195 kW (265 hp), an increase of 15 kW over the predecessor. It produces 370 Nm of torque and is always mated to a 7-speed automatic DSG transmission. From a standing start, the hatchback reaches 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds; the Combi estate does it in 6.5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The standard sports suspension is lowered by 15 millimetres and together with the progressive steering and electronically controlled VAQ limited-slip differential, ensures excellent traction and driving dynamics in any situation. The RS-specific adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) comes as standard. It enables the driver to select Normal, Comfort, Sport or Individual mode for the chassis settings. Excellent braking performance is ensured by ventilated disc brakes measuring 340 × 30 mm at the front and 310 × 22 mm at the rear. Furthermore, the Octavia RS versions now feature genuine sports exhausts with black tailpipes as standard. New engine software supports the cars’ powerful sound. It increases the engine’s revs on start-up and delivers even more enjoyment when driving in Sport mode.
2025 Škoda Octavia RS: LED Matrix beam headlights as standard and exclusive RS wheel designs
Extensive, hallmark RS detailing emphasises the car’s sporty appearance. The Škoda grille surround, the window frames and the wing mirrors are finished in high-gloss black, as are the roof rails on the Octavia Wagon RS. Black accents can also be found on the front apron, which has a unique and sporty look. The rear section is dominated by a black painted rear diffuser. In typical RS style, the rear valance features a red reflector strip stretching across the entire width of the vehicle. The rear side windows and the rear window are tinted (“Sunset”). Exclusive to the Octavia RS are new 19-inch polished Elias alloy wheels in anthracite with large black aero trims. A silver version is also available as an option. The RS models are the only Octavia variants to come with LED Matrix beam headlights as standard. They include LED rear lights with animated turn indicators and the animated Coming/Leaving Home function. In addition, they feature a new RS logo design, which can be seen on the exterior badge as well as in the interior. An electric tailgate with a virtual pedal and the advanced KESSY function also come as standard.
2025 Škoda Octavia RS: Interior
The interior of the Škoda Octavia RS is predominantly finished in sporty black. The 13-inch central display and navigation system are included as standard, as is the automatically retractable load cover in the Wagon. The interior features sports seats with integrated headrests, a new RS logo and quilted fabric upholstery with red stitching on the seat bolsters as standard. The design section of the dashboard is covered with neoprene and has double rows of contrast stitching in red. Artificial leather is found on the door trim panels. The decorative strips on the doors have a gloss black finish, while the dashboard features Black Middle Carbon trim. The three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel with shift paddles is covered in leather, while the pedals have a stainless-steel look.
In the RS Suedia Design Selection, the sports seats feature perforated covers made from Suedia microfibre and artificial leather. There is also additional red stitching on the seat surface and backrest. The ergo comfort seats come with electric adjustment, a memory function and seat cushion depth adjustment as standard. They also offer adjustable lumbar support and a massage function as standard in the Octavia RS. The combination of Suedia and artificial leather can also be found on the door panels in the RS Suedia Design Selection. The design section of the dashboard is covered in Suedia and features double rows of contrast stitching in red.
2025 Škoda Octavia and Octavia RS: Pricing and availability:
| Octavia Wagon TSI 10kW | $58,990 +orc | Available November 2024 |
| Octavia Wagon RS TSI 195kW | $67,990 +orc | Available February 2025 |
| Octavia Wagon RS+ TSI 195kW | $73,990 +orc | Available February 2025 |
Celebrating 65 years: Iconic model is at the heart of the Škoda brand
The success story of the Octavia began 65 years ago, when the first Octavia was launched. Since 1996, Škoda Auto has produced four modern generations and more than seven million units of its best-seller. Its popularity with customers has been complemented by numerous prestigious international awards.
The original Octavia – 360,000 units built
In spring 1959, Škoda started production of its eighth post-war model in Mladá Boleslav. Hence the name “Octavia”, based on the Latin numeral “octava”, meaning “the eighth”. It was also the eighth Škoda model to come with advanced independent suspension all round and the last to be built on a frame structure with a central support tube. The original Octavia was derived from the popular Škoda 440 but featured a modern front axle with coil springs as well as other technical and visual updates, like a deformable safety steering wheel or asymmetric parabola headlights.
Its four-cylinder engine had a displacement of 1.1 litres and produced 29.4 kW (40 hp), transmitted to the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox and enabling a top speed of 110 km/h. The Octavia Super had a 1.2-litre engine producing 33 kW (45 hp). September 1960 saw the launch of the Octavia Combi (Wagon) featuring a horizontally split tailgate. The Octavia remained in production until 1964, the Combi until 1971. 360,000 vehicles were produced in total, more than 54,000 of them Combi estates.
The first generation of the modern Octavia made its debut in 1996
The modern Octavia launched in 1996 and embodied the brand’s new image as well as its ambitious plans for the future. With more than 7.15 million units sold across the four modern generations, the Octavia is not only a mainstay of the Škoda brand but also one of the ten best-selling cars in Europe and the best-selling model in the compact class across the territory of the 27 EU member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The Octavia Combi has been the most popular estate car in Europe across all segments since 2016 with the current Octavia Combi being the number one estate car in 14 countries. The fourth Octavia generation is currently the best-selling vehicle in seven European countries. In Škoda’s largest European market, Germany, the Octavia has been the most popular import vehicle for many years. Furthermore, the Octavia has been in use as a police vehicle in Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, UK, Kosovo and Morocco.
