New Škoda Octavia Combi is a Space Ace.
New Škoda Octavia Combi is a Space Ace.
The fourth-generation of the big-selling Škoda Octavia was launched in Ireland in 2020 in both Hatchback (5-door) and Combi (estate) body styles, with a facelift model following on in 2024. Changes include a new grille, updated front and rear bumpers, new headlights (with the option of the new second-generation matrix LED type), new taillights, new exterior colours, new alloy wheel designs, the use of sustainable materials for seat upholstery and Simply Clever features, new fabrics for the dashboard, updated instrument cluster graphics, enhanced features for multimedia and safety systems, and increased power output for the high-performance Octavia RS variant.
Spacious & Comfortable Cabin.
The modern cabin in the new Octavia Combi features well-arranged displays that are easy to use, along with masses of space for the driver and front seat passenger, and unrivalled rear seat passenger space too. All of the important driver information and infotainment details are displayed on two 10” displays, and the minimalist lines and ambient lighting provide the finishing touches to the elegant on-board atmosphere.
Trim & Engine Options.
There are four trim grades available in the new Octavia: Selection, Selection +, Sportline and RS. The new Octavia engine line-up consists of petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI) and mild hybrid (mHEV) powerplants, ranging in power from 116hp to 265hp, with the 2.0TSI 265hp engine reserved exclusively for the RS trim grade. The entry-level Selection trim provides buyers with a good level of standard specification, while the Selection + trim builds on the comprehensive equipment levels of the Selection trim grade with a further emphasis on elegance, technology and sporty design. With sharp, sleek design details both inside and out, the special edition Sportline is distinctive from every angle. Packed with exclusive styling, the Sportline enables every journey to be undertaken in total comfort. The Octavia RS trim grade benefits from a sporty chassis and exterior design, and it uniquely combines a dynamic driving experience with smart practicality, and a host of RS-exclusive styling elements.
Diesel or HVO Fuel Options.
All TDI versions of the new Octavia can be fuelled by diesel, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) or a mixture of both. HVO is a low-carbon fuel that serves as a direct replacement for regular diesel fuel. It is produced from treating waste plant-matter with hydrogen, which means it does not release any additional carbon emissions into the atmosphere. HVO can be used as a direct replacement for diesel without any need for vehicle or engine modifications. Presently, HVO is available at selected Certa, Inver and Circle-K outlets in many counties throughout Ireland, with availability improving all the time. Unlike first-generation biofuels, which are made from crops such as rapeseed and soy, HVO is a second-generation biofuel which is made from pre-existing bio-waste products, primarily used cooking oil and vegetable oil from food industry waste. Interestingly, direct emissions from burning HVO are considered to be zero – or ‘carbon neutral’, and HVO can be mixed with regular diesel without any issues at all.
Test Car.
My test car was a new Octavia Combi 2.0-litre TDI 150hp Selection + in stylish Moon White metallic paint with standard 18” ‘Lerna’ silver alloy wheels. A seven-speed DSG automatic transmission comes as standard with the 150hp engine, but a six-speed manual transmission is a standard feature in the lower-powered 2.0-litre TDI 116hp version. Key standard Selection + equipment includes chrome window surrounds, silver roof rails, heated leather 2-spoke steering wheel, heated windscreen, fabric-wrapped dashboard, comfort design front seats, mechanical rear seat release, black/grey fabric/leatherette upholstery, ambient lights, footwell lights, and Škoda logo projection from the exterior mirrors, along with a host of additional comfort, convenience and safety features as standard. The 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in my test car produces 150hp and 360Nm of torque, providing the car with enough shove to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 8.6-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 225km (where permitted). With claimed fuel consumption as low as 4.6l/100km (61.4mpg) on a WLTP combined driving cycle, along with annual road tax of just €190, the Octavia Combi TDI should prove itself to be a sound financial proposition for families and business users alike. The Octavia’s TDI engine is relatively-refined, and the slick seven-speed DSG automatic transmission is perfectly suited to the punchy powerplant. The steering is pleasingly light and responds in a precise fashion to driver inputs, and there is a solid and dependable feel to the brake pedal. Skoda has made improvements in sound-deadening, resulting in less noise and vibration being felt through the cabin compared to the previous model, and the Octavia Combi feels well planted on the road, with impressive composure and comfort at all times, even when traversing rough road surfaces.
Verdict, Pricing & Warranty.
The new Octavia Combi is a very likeable, and genuinely appealing family car that offers class-leading levels of cabin & boot space, impressive levels of standard equipment, terrific practicality, and latest-generation infotainment & connectivity tech, along with a sleek & sporty exterior design. For buyers who don’t quite need all of the practicality the Combi has to offer, a hatchback body style is also available across all engine options and trim grades. The new Skoda Octavia Combi is priced from €33,755 for the Selection 1.5-litre TSI (petrol) model, with my test car specification priced from €44,550 (ex-delivery). A 3 Year manufacturer’s warranty comes as standard.
Visit www.skoda.ie for further information.
