Skoda Octavia Facelift Makes Global Debut

Skoda has revealed the facelift for the fourth-generation Octavia and it comes with revised looks, refreshed cabin, new features and a plethora of powertrain options. The Octavia was available in India for over 20 years and right before it was discontinued last year, Skoda India sold more than 1 lakh units of the midsize sedan. 

The updated Octavia gets a revised front grille flanked by new LED Matrix beam headlamps with two boomerang-shaped DRLs. The facelift also gives the Octavia an updated bumper that no longer houses the fog lamps as they have been integrated into the main headlamps by an all-weather function. In profile, not much has changed apart from new designs for alloy wheels. The Octavia continues with the same design for the taillamp cluster but has new lighting elements. The rear bumper also has new cuts and creases to make it look sharper than before. 

Inside, the Octavia facelift now comes with the brand’s new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system as an option, with a 10-inch system offered as standard. Skoda says its infotainment system will be getting an AI-based ChatGPT chatbox later on. The updated Octavia also gets a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging and more. 

The design of the dashboard follows a similar ethos as the new Kodiaq and Superb with a layered design and curves in the middle. This curve houses the aforementioned touchscreens. However, unlike the other two Skoda models, the Octavia gets a toggle-like drive selector in the centre console. 

Safety features on the Octavia facelift include up to 10 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, driver drowsiness detection and parking assist. 

Under the hood, the Octavia facelift gets multiple powertrain options. Starting the range is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine available in two states of tune – 114 bhp with 220 Nm and 148 bhp with 250 Nm. They are available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DCT). They also get 48V mild-hybrid assist but only with the DCT. Another petrol engine on offer is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 201 bhp and 320 Nm and comes with a 7-speed DCT and all-wheel drive. This powertrain will be available only from 2025.  

The updated Octavia also gets a 2.0-litre diesel engine which also gets two different tunes. The 114 bhp, 300 Nm version comes solely with the 6-speed manual, while the 148 bhp, 360 Nm version comes only with a 7-speed DCT. 

Along with the standard Octavia, Skoda has also updated its high-performance version. The Octavia RS gets a sportier body kit with more aggressive bumpers and air intakes. Unlike the standard model, the RS gets a blacked-out grille, window frames and ORVMs. Furthermore, the RS also gets larger, 18-inch alloy wheels as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels available as an option. The RS is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 265 bhp and 370 Nm and comes with a 7-speed DCT only. Skoda says the Octavia RS makes 20 bhp more than the outgoing model.

While there is no confirmation yet whether the Octavia will be making a comeback to India, the Octavia RS is expected to come to India sometime next year. When it does, it will rival the BMW M340i and is expected to cost north of ₹40 lakh (ex-showroom).