The Skoda Octavia has been the Most successful model in Skoda’s History worldwide. When one thinks of performance and comfort together in one car at Skoda, it is the Octavia. Many in India are looking for a comeback of the Octavia, after it was discontinued due to the BS6 stage 2 norms and looks like it might just make it to India. We drove the 4th Generation and the facelifted Octavia 2024 Sportline variant on the scenic streets of its hometown in the Czech Republic. And here is what you need to know about it!
Driving experience & Engine performance:
Driving the Mamba green Octavia Sportline powered by a 1.5L TSI engine paired up with a 7 speed DSG Gearbox and Turbocharged 4 cylinders producing over 148bhp and 250Nm of torque, has an impressive and comfortable driving experience on the city roads. The engine does feel adequate and gets the power flowing nicely during the city drives. The same 1.5L engine is seen in the Slavia and many enjoy it.
Obviously it cant compete with the 2.0L which was previously seen in the Octavia before it was phased out in India. While driving the car on the open highway it does lack the peppiness and power one would expect from the Octavia with a 2.0L engine. But I was still not disappointed at all as I did enjoy my driving experience with the instant power response and a smooth powertrain. The acceleration was very easy going and I could feel the punch right away with a constant buildup in acceleration which is expected from the Sportline and the RS too. The 7 speed DSG gearbox shifts gears like butter and it makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. When it comes to road noise it's extremely low and that's a plus.
Do note that if you want to try out the paddle shifters and get the top end performance it will not satisfy you 100%. The punch will feel a bit dragged out.
The ride quality though is really good and I was left very impressed. The Sportline handles really well on the corners. The steering has the perfect feel and the chassis balances out well. It gives you that confidence while you take turns at higher speed and at the same time it feels light and is precise while going through traffic. The sport suspensions in the sportline lowers the ride height by 15 millimeters, but you won't find it affecting the ride quality and instead it brings out the best from the car. The car gets 18-inch wheels in this version.
As soon as you enter the car you will get a premium and sophisticated vibe with minimalist interiors. The first feature that caught my eye was, the car now gets a new bigger 13-inch infotainment display and that comes as standard in all variants. It also comes with Touchscreen and haptic keys. You will notice a strip of shortcut buttons right under the infotainment display giving us easy access to most of the needed features in the car from parking assist, driving modes, to climate control. The car also has a Digital AI Assistant, Laura which will help us out in every possible way.
The Sportline carries an All black dark accents around the interiors and the brand has made a move towards sustainability by using recycled materials in many parts of the interiors. It gives you the sporty yet very aesthetically appealing vibe and I for one am definitely a seeker for that. Although it might not be the same dark upholstery which will come for the Indian market.
The comfort of the seats is out of question. Skoda has made sure you have a luxurious experience as soon as you sit in the car. The seats hold you well and the cushioning is comfortable. In terms of legroom, there are no complaints at all. There is ample amount of legroom space at the front as well as the rear. And talking about reminds me of the 600 litre boot space, which is always a very practical addition by Skoda. Overall, the car has comfort, practicality, and still manages to give you a sporty feel on the interiors.
On the outside not much has changed but the front grille which is all blackout will surely catch your attention. It gives the car a much more aggressive and sporty look which represents the Sportline variant really well. You will also find the redesigned front bumper, new LED headlights and rear lights giving a much sharper look to the car. But overall the car still carries the signature Octavia looks. The sleek and sharp lines going around on the car elevates the overall look of the Car.
Verdict:
The Skoda Octavia Facelift might have downsized the engine from 2.0L to 1.5L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine but it still stays true to its DNA and has great drive quality, comfort and is very practical. Skoda has been known for its strong build quality and Octavia will keep up on that front and it being a CKD model will be an advantage. Although I would have liked for the RS to come to India, we are hopeful that the Octavia will surely make many car enthusiasts really happy. The car is expected to be positioned between the Salvia and Kodiaq with the price range between Rs 30-35 Lakhs. It might be everyone’s first option like past but it will definitely sell a good number in India.
