Skoda Octavia 2025: refreshed styling, new tech and more power for facelifted model

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A refreshed Skoda Octavia midsize sedan and wagon has been revealed globally, showcasing changes that we can expect to see in Australia including subtle styling tweaks, new infotainment, more tech, and more power for RS variants.

Now in its fourth generation, the updated Octavia is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2025 as part of a similar mid-life facelift to its Volkswagen Group sibling, the Golf small hatchback, which was revealed last month. 

The facelift to the three-year-old current-generation car – which landed in Australia in 2021 – will bring visual styling tweaks including an updated headlight design, subtle tweaks to the slats in the grille, and a revised rear bumper design. 

In terms of further exterior changes, the headlights also now come with improved LED Matrix technology as an option, featuring 36 light elements instead of 24, and also a Crystallinium light element. New wheel designs also feature across the range. 

As with the Volkswagen Golf’s updated interior, a larger 13-inch infotainment display screen will now be an option over the current standard 10-inch display. 

The AI-based ChatGPT chatbot will also now be integrated into the vehicle’s voice assistant as a standard feature, with an “increased use of sustainable materials” as part of the interior too.

Safety and driver assistance tech has also been updated with new Intelligent Park Assist and Remote Park Assist, as well as a new system for assessing driver fatigue.

What’s changing under the bonnet?

In terms of powertrain, it’s expected that the 110TSI 1.4-litre inline-four cylinder turbo-petrol powering the entry-level ‘Style’ and recently launched ‘Sportline’ grades currently offered in Australia will continue unchanged. 

That engine delivers 110kW and 250Nm, powering the front wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. 

However, the top-of-the-range RS will now make for 195kW/370Nm from its EA888 2.0-litre inline-four cylinder turbo-petrol, which sends power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 

That’s an improvement of 15kW on current outputs – inline with the update we will see in the Golf Mk8.5 update, with both vehicle’s sharing the same powertrain.

The engine also now incorporates Volkswagen’s ‘Budack’ combustion cycle to improve efficiency as well as a new sports exhaust and updated software to support the sound. 

Europe will also continue to offer additional powertrain options that we don’t currently see in Australia, including a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol all-wheel-drive variant, two 1.5-litre turbo-petrols with mild-hybrid tech, and also a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

How popular is the Skoda Octavia?

Globally, Skoda says the Octavia has been their most-sold ever model. 

In Australia, the brand delivered 1395 Octavias in 2023, the brand’s fourth most popular nameplate behind the Kamiq small SUV (1985), the Karoq medium SUV (1405), and the Kodiaq large SUV (1555).

That said, Octavia sales were up from 963 in 2022. 

The vehicle also sits third in the declining midsize car segment behind the dominant Toyota Camry (10,581) and Mazda 6 (1528). 

Pricing for the current pre-facelift Skoda Octavia currently kicks off at $40,590 for the entry-grade Style and Sportline liftbacks, rising to $53,890 for the top-spec RS wagon. All prices are before on-road costs.

Local pricing and specifications for the facelifted model are expected to be announced closer to launch.