Skoda Octavia Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space

Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Practical Octavia is more stylish than ever
- High levels of standard equipment across the range
- Frugal petrol and diesel engines
Cons
- Not the budget option it once was
- Media system is a little frustrating
- Still too new to attract huge savings on the used market
Overall verdict on the Skoda Octavia
"The Skoda Octavia is as brilliant as it always was, but now it offers something a bit extra with a notable increase in interior quality. That puts it even closer to its in-group rival the Volkswagen Golf, and thanks to the significant advantage in terms of interior space, it is arguably the better buy of the two. While it's not as cheap as it used to be it's still cheaper than the Volkswagen, and deals are out there if you look around."

While the Skoda Octavia is posher than ever before, it continues to hold the title of most practical car in its class. In fairness, that's because it's huge – it seems daft comparing it to cars like the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Kia Ceed. It's almost eating into Skoda Superb territory, with practicality rivalling the likes of the Volkswagen Passat and Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport – and it will hold a lot more luggage than SUV alternatives like the Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Karoq and Peugeot 3008. Read our full Skoda Octavia review to find out how it stacks up against its many rivals.
Skoda added the Skoda Scala to its line-up to sit between the Octavia and smaller Fabia in terms of size and price, allowing the Octavia to command a slightly higher price tag. However, with list prices starting in the region of £27,000, it's far from expensive. And you'll notice that standard equipment is pretty generous, too, so it's not just a big boot that you'll get for your cash.
Go for a high-spec Skoda Octavia SE L or SportLine and it feels particularly plush, with highlights including microsuede seats (and a microsuede dash covering), as well as ambient interior lighting and various splashes of chrome (both inside and out). While a more affordable Skoda Octavia SE Technology is the current entry-level model and is comprehensively equipped, with highlights including a larger 13-inch media system (we'll come onto that shortly...), rear parking sensors and 16-inch alloy wheels.
There's a choice of engines including petrol, diesel and mild hybrid power. The big seller is likely to be the 1.5-litre petrol which is available with manual or automatic gearboxes, but Skoda no longer offers the little 1.0-litre unit and there's no plug-in hybrid for the time being.
High-mileage drivers are catered for with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel which is available with 116PS or 150PS, letting you prioritise performance or fuel economy (not that any Octavia will be expensive to run).
If you're looking for an Skoda Octavia to drive around town, the plug-in hybrid Skoda Octavia is available as a used buy and can travel 37 miles under electric power alone, saving its 1.4-litre petrol engine for longer trips. If you're looking to find out more about hybrid cars, our guide to the best hybrid cars is a great place to start, while we also cover what is a hybrid car as well.
No matter which engine you go for in your Skoda Octavia, new or used, it's good to drive. And we don't mean in a 'cornering on the door handles' way – the Octavia is a really comfortable choice with a cushioned ride and impeccable refinement. It feels safe in the corners (if not as fun as a Ford Focus or SEAT Leon), while there's plenty of technology to make tackling city centres that bit easier.
Talking of technology, the 13-inch media system which is standard across the range looks pretty swanky but isn't the easiest to use on the move. It's something that you'll get used to with time, but what's wrong with old-fashioned buttons for adjusting the climate control or changing the volume? Maybe we're stuck in the past.
It's hard to overemphasise how much space there is in the Skoda Octavia. It's a very comfortable car for those in the front, while there's plenty of space in the back too. And the boot is massive – easily capable of swallowing up baby paraphernalia or golf trolleys. If you need even more space, there's the Skoda Octavia Estate, too.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Skoda Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Skoda Octavias for sale. Looking for the older version? If you're looking for the older version, you need our used Skoda Octavia (2013-2020) review.
Is the Skoda Octavia right for you?
What other cars are similar to the Skoda Octavia?
Comfort and design: Skoda Octavia interior
"While the Skoda Octavia's exterior isn't going to turn many heads, its interior feels fresh and modern. It's packed with stylish features, from the two-spoke steering wheel to the fancy shift-by-wire automatic gear selector."

The Skoda Octavia's cabin emphasises the hatchback's shift up-market. From the cool aluminium strip running along the dash to the fancy ambient lighting and digital dials, you could almost mistake the Skoda Octavia for a premium car. Naturally, you'll have to stretch to the pricier Skoda Octavia SE L for the fanciest of features, but the SE Technology model feels far from entry-level.
The Skoda Octavia is a car that's long been popular with high-mileage company car drivers so Skoda's got plenty of experience designing seats that keep you comfortable over the longest of journeys. They're very supportive, with adjustable lumbar support on higher-spec models, while there's plenty of adjustment built into them.
One gripe we have is that, while the relatively button-free interior looks clean and tidy, it's not the most user-friendly. We'd like a dial for adjusting the volume of the radio and some buttons for quickly tweaking the temperature of the climate control.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Skoda Octavia
Space and practicality: Skoda Octavia boot space
Handling and ride quality: What is the Skoda Octavia like to drive?
"The Skoda Octavia is a refreshingly wafty hatchback. It might not be quite as agile as a Ford Focus or SEAT Leon, but it's considerably more comfortable on a bumpy road."

It generally copes very well indeed with speed bumps and broken road surfaces, with only the biggest craters causing some discomfort for passengers. If you want the ability to sharpen up the suspension when you're in the mood, look for an Skoda Octavia with the optional dynamic chassis control. This is a £1185 option that few buyers will tick and, to be honest, it's not really necessary. Plus, it's only available on the more powerful models.
While it might lean a bit more in corners than sportier alternatives, the Skoda Octavia actually has a surprising amount of grip. It's not an exciting car to drive but, ultimately, it feels very safe and assured – which is exactly what you want in a family car.
Around town, you'll notice the Skoda Octavia's chunky dimensions compared to smaller alternatives like the Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla. It's something you'll soon get used to, though, helped by good visibility and light steering. |Front and rear parking sensors are standard across the range now with the 2024 facelift but, if you want a camera, you'll have to choose the SportLine, order it as part of the Light and View pack, or find a used car with this fitted. There's also an optional park assist feature available. This is capable of manoeuvring the car into parallel or bay parking spaces itself.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Skoda Octavia?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the Skoda Octavia?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Skoda Octavia cost to run?
"If you wish to cover a lot of miles as frugally as possible, the Skoda Octavia 116PS 2.0 TDI officially returns up to 66.2mpg. That should be fairly achievable on a relaxed motorway drive, while the more powerful 150PS diesel provides up to 63.4mpg.

The petrol engines are far from inefficient. Go for the 1.5 TSI and it can deliver 54.3mpg with the manual gearbox or, in e-TEC spec with the DSG auto, up to 57.5mpg.
In fuel economy tests, the 1.5 TSI before the 2024 facelift returned up to 52.3mpg, or 53.3mpg with the DSG automatic gearbox.
The previous 1.0-litre TSI with manual gearbox could offer up to 54.3mpg (according to the latest more accurate WLTP fuel economy test) while the e-TEC version with its mild-hybrid tech and DSG automatic gearbox had an official figure of up to 56.5mpg. Not so long ago, that kind of economy was only provided by the smallest of petrol city cars.
If you're looking to move towards electric motoring and have off-road parking with access to electricity, the plug-in hybrid iV could be a good option for used buyers. This officially returns up to 282.5mpg which, on paper, sounds almost unbelievable. You'll have to cover a lot of short journeys and charge it regularly to see anywhere near this fuel economy but, with an electric-only range of around 43 miles, you could cover the school run without the petrol engine kicking in at all.
Over an extended period, we've seen an average of 54.9mpg from the Skoda Octavia iV plug-in hybrid. When it's fully charged, the electric range is around 30-34 miles – a little less than the official figure, but still enough for day-to-day mooching about.
Don't discount diesel as an option, either. The 2.0 TDI in the Octavia claims up to 66.2mpg in 116PS form, and the 150PS e-TEC version with DSG auto has an official best of 63.4mpg.
How reliable is a Skoda Octavia?
Insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Skoda Octavia?
How much should you be paying for a used Skoda Octavia?
"A new Skoda Octavia starts from less than £27,000. That's more than some alternatives like the SEAT Leon and Vauxhall Astra, but you do get a huge amount more for your money."

There is a way you can pick up an as-new Skoda Octavia for the price of a Fabia. Dealers often order and register cars before selling them from their showrooms for big savings over list price. Advertised as 'pre-registered' or 'ex-demonstrator' models, these are a brilliant way of both saving money and skipping the waiting list.
Just £24,000 will get you a pre-registered Skoda Octavia SE L 1.5 TSI with only a few hundred miles on the clock. That's incredible value for money and undercuts the new list price by more than £7000.
For a three-year old Octavia 1.5 TSI SE L with 30,000 miles on the dials, reckon on spending £18,000.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Skoda Octavia a good car?
Is a used Skoda Octavia a good car?
How many miles can a Skoda Octavia do?
Which is the best Skoda Octavia engine?
Skoda Octavia cars for sale on heycar
Skoda Octavia1.5 TSI SE First Edition 5dr
202027,417 milesPetrol£211 mo£13,497
Fair priceB330JJSkoda Octavia1.0 TSI SE Technology 5dr
202222,098 milesPetrol£264 mo£15,499
Fair priceNR330FFSkoda Octavia1.0 TSI e-TEC SE Technology 5dr DSG
202320,711 milesHybrid£258 mo£16,997
NE297TESkoda Octavia1.4 TSI iV SE L DSG 5dr
202136,776 milesHybrid£263 mo£16,097
DN312SUSkoda Octavia2.0 TDI 150 SE L 5dr DSG
202318,231 milesDiesel£327 mo£22,595
PR22TY
Skoda Octavia Alternatives
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