Overview
Škoda’s Australian rebuild is now underway, backed by a refreshed showroom line-up that majors in competent SUVs and electrical powertrains—with hybrids quickly to affix the combo.
Not like some marques that, in chasing pragmatic quantity sellers, ultimately abandon their fanatic base, this Czech-based model continues to take care of its loyal followers — those who turned the Octavia RS sedan and wagon right into a cult favorite. The mid-life improve to the fourth-generation mannequin has now landed in Australia with a bursting specification sheet.
Persevering with to import the Mladá Boleslav-built Octavia RS isn’t some loopy indulgence for Škoda. Whereas not a crossover, this sizzling ‘Octy’ stays a sensible different for Australians who run out of room of their Volkswagen Golf GTIs — the recent hatch that shares its powertrain, transmission and MQB platform with this 4.7-metre midsize liftback (badged sedan) and wagon.
Regardless of the demise of most different midsize vehicles, demand for the Octavia stays robust sufficient that Škoda continues to supply three variants. The examined RS sits clearly on the apex, above the extra attainable Choose and Sportline grades, each powered by a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
With no all-wheel-drive Octavia possibility supplied domestically, the RS continues Škoda’s sizzling front-driver custom. This mid-life replace brings the shift to the Era 3B model of the Volkswagen Group’s tried-and-tested EA888 2.0-litre turbo 4, now producing 195kW — up 15kW. Peak torque stays regular at 370Nm, now delivered throughout a band 200rpm wider than earlier than.
Engine upgrades embody new piston skirts, revised enhance stress and a redesigned crankshaft. A seven-speed wet-clutch dual-clutch automated stays the only transmission — the six-speed handbook Octavia RS was dropped in 2018. A mechanically locking, electronically managed entrance differential is commonplace.
Škoda-spotters will discover the svelte facelift of the cleanly penned Octavia Mk IV, although extra informal observers could not — the modifications are fortunately refined and embody updates to the Matrix LED headlight and LED tail-light graphics, minor tweaks to the grille and bumper detailing, and a brand new 19-inch ‘Elias’ alloy wheel design.
Structurally, the five-seat inside carries over largely unchanged, with a larger reliance on bodily buttons than most of its Volkswagen Group cousins. The principle replace is a bigger 13.0-inch central touchscreen working a brand new working system—although it lacks the net connectivity options and smartphone app integration supplied abroad.
Škoda Australia has now opted to totally equip the Octavia RS as commonplace, reflecting robust purchaser uptake of the earlier mannequin’s $6600 Premium Pack. Because of this, listing costs rise by a justified $5900 to $58,490 for the sedan and $59,990 for the wagon, each earlier than on-road prices. Nationwide drive-away pricing is about at $62,990 and $64,490 respectively.
Apart from the aforementioned on-line connectivity, nothing is left off the desk from the worldwide Octavia RS menu. Australian consumers get the lot: 15-stage adaptive dampers, Suedia and leatherette sports activities seats with 12-way energy adjustment up entrance, heating for all outboard seats, the windscreen and the perforated sports activities steering wheel with paddle shifters.
Additionally included are a head-up show, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite tv for pc navigation, digital radio, tri-zone local weather management, a 15-watt wi-fi charger, walk-up unlocking and walkaway locking, a 360-degree parking digital camera, and surprise-and-delight “Merely Intelligent” extras like an umbrella, ice scraper, intelligent cargo netting and acoustic entrance glass.
Metallic paint is included within the value — aside from our tester’s Velvet Crimson premium end, which attracts a $770 surcharge. Wagon consumers alone can even possibility a panoramic opening sunroof with sunshade for $1900. A seven yr/105,000km service plan may be pay as you go for $4200.
Regardless of an eight per cent rise in engine energy, gas financial system stays unchanged from the pre-update Octavia RS — a claimed 7.0L/100km on the mixed cycle for each sedan and wagon. The 50-litre gas tank gives a theoretical vary of 714km. CO₂ emissions are a claimed 160g/km. Guarantee is seven years, with limitless kilometres.
Driving impressions
Successive Škoda releases in recent times have urged that this Jap European model—as soon as a sharp-value foil to cousin Volkswagen—is shifting upmarket, with inside supplies specifically sometimes eclipsing what consumers may discover in a fairly equal VW mannequin.
The Octavia, although, is an exception to Škoda’s mission creep. Whereas it continues to endear itself with its Mk IV-era glow-up in dynamics and luxury, it has resisted the urge to chase luxury-car standing—and stays at the least $20,000 extra inexpensive than premium midsizers such because the Audi A4 (from $79,990 + ORC) or BMW 3 Collection (from $92,900 + ORC).
Regardless of evolutionary enhancements to infotainment responsiveness, experience high quality and semi-autonomous tech, the 2025 Octavia RS will really feel acquainted to anybody who has owned a sizzling Škoda earlier than. In contrast with a fast Volkswagen, there stays a gentle however discernible scrappiness to the Octavia’s dynamics.
That is partly resulting from Škoda’s dogged dedication to front-wheel drive for the Octavia RS, even because it has grown bigger and extra highly effective over time. European consumers can go for an RS wagon with Haldex all-wheel drive, however that variant has by no means been offered in Australia.
Our Octavia RS has less complicated two-wheel drive, which stays pretty gentle — simply 1580kg in wagon kind — although a lurid tendency to axle tramp when accelerating from relaxation on damp tarmac stays an inherent vice. The Škoda wants cautious taming to launch inside its 6.4-second 0–100km/h declare (6.5 sec for the wagon — each down 0.2 sec for 2025).
Architecturally, the Octavia RS rides on the refined MQB Evo toolkit that underpinned the Mk IV’s 2020 launch. Evo brings added rigidity and the wiring required for superior driver help programs and numerous hybrid powertrains—together with the 150kg-heavier, 180kW Octavia RS plug-in hybrid supplied in Europe.
The uprated Gen 3B model of the Octavia RS’s EA888 engine gives appreciable flexibility. It may well lope alongside languidly, counting on the seven-speed DSG’s taller gears to return wonderful touring financial system (sub-6.0L/100km!), but the fast-reacting transmission can arouse revs quickly—significantly within the convincing, retuned ‘S’ shifting mode.
Finnicky launches apart— a situation the place the forthcoming all-wheel-drive Cupra Leon ST could be faster—the Octavia RS is, in the true world, a genuinely fast household automotive with a fantastically versatile powertrain.
A sports activities exhaust is commonplace and is claimed to be louder now — significantly on Australian-delivered vehicles, which omit the petrol particulate filter — although we struggled to note a significant distinction, other than the welcome potential to disable the Škoda’s overdone synthetic engine noise within the cabin.
In contrast with lesser Octavia variants, the RS options a much more refined suspension setup—a MacPherson strut entrance finish with decrease triangular wishbones, and a four-link impartial rear. Choose and Sportline grades make do with a less expensive and in the end much less succesful torsion beam association.
That’s earlier than factoring within the RS’s excellent, standard-fit 15-stage Dynamic Chassis Management Plus adaptive dampers, which give a clearly perceptible vary between notably delicate settings and an excessively agency excessive. The candy spot stays someplace within the center, mixing robust physique management with acceptable bump absorption, together with what the highway throws up mid-corner.
Experience high quality within the Octavia RS has improved markedly over time, with DCC Plus doing properly to tame the results of comparatively low-profile 225/40 R19 tyres fitted all spherical, with examples fitted with both Goodyear Eagle F1 or Bridgestone Potenza S005 rubber. Tyre width is pretty slender for a automotive of this dimension.
Entrance-end grip stays impressively tenacious regardless of the slender rubber, however when unladen, the spacious rear of the Octavia RS may be coaxed into playful rotation off-throttle with ESC Sport engaged—significantly in wagon guise, which we nonetheless take into account the candy spot due to its 640-litre boot. The sedan’s liftback-style tailgate nonetheless reveals a helpful 600 litres.
If the Škoda has an Achilles’ heel, it’s the oppressive degree of highway noise on coarse-chip surfaces—the frequent type in regional Australia. Cabin noise is appreciable, blunting the output of the in any other case succesful Canton hi-fi. It feeds into the marginally scrappy dynamic vibe, although a back-to-back drive with the whisper-quiet electrical Enyaq RS could be illuminating.
Apart from the highway noise, there’s little to criticise in regards to the Octavia’s inside. Whereas not outright plush, it’s fully useful and comfy. The bogus suede and leatherette sports activities seats provide robust assist and, notably, equivalent ranges of adjustment and amenity for each entrance occupants—the motive force just isn’t favoured on the expense of the co-pilot.
That mentioned, the all-black inside is more likely to be heat in summer time, and seat air flow along with heating could be welcome. Aurally, the Canton stereo is a bit sharp and high quality falls wanting the (non-obligatory) Harman/Kardon system supplied within the Volkswagen Golf—and we even wonder if the common Octavia’s unbranded stereo may be simpler on the ears.
Cabin house and storage are beneficiant. The rear bench is barely slender, however each wagon and sedan comfortably seat 4 adults with wonderful headroom and legroom. 4 USB-C retailers, dual-zone rear air vents and intelligent touches like rear cellphone holders assist preserve the entire household glad on a highway journey.
The driving force will even recognize the Octavia’s well-calibrated adaptive security programs. Volkswagen Group is quietly producing among the greatest software program on this house, with the useful Journey Help semi-autonomous cruise and lane centring noticeably decreasing freeway fatigue whereas the rest of the programs don’t get in the way in which, day-to-day.
There’s no incessant velocity warning chime, and lane-keeping may be deactivated with simply two presses on the steering wheel—a user-friendly element different producers would do properly to emulate.
Throughout our 400km check drive of the up to date Octavia RS, we recorded a median gas consumption of seven.5L/100km, equating to a real-world vary of 666km. Consumption will rise on the town and drop considerably on longer freeway runs, the place near 1000km from a full tank is achievable.
All up, the mid-life replace to the Octavia RS is a refined one—reflecting the fact that there was little that really wanted fixing on this completed and sporty midsizer. The modifications are principally about packing within the options Australians need and sprucing them to work precisely how drivers anticipate.
It’s that degree of polish that continues to permit Skoda (and its cousin manufacturers) to face out in a market more and more punctuated by efforts that really feel unfinished at greatest.
