Skoda Octavia

Skoda has only offered petrol power since the introduction of BS6, therefore the Octavia receives a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 188bhp/320Nm and sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG automated transmission. The Superb and Kodiaq both have the same unit.

Now, in this new version of the Octavia, this engine is supposed to deliver a smooth driving experience as well as fuel economy, while still retaining the fun-to-drive aspect that has been present in Octavia for the previous two decades.

This one is right up there in terms of smooth driving experience, with rarely any engine vibrations, and at city speeds, you scarcely realise that it is running in the background.

The seven-speed DSG transmission is so intuitive that you don't need to interfere much, and it always keeps you in the centre of the action. Get on the gas when you need to make a quick overtaking or pick up the pace, and everything lights up very fast, giving you plenty of punch to accomplish the overtake and keep going.

Because of the considerable torque, you may easily cruise at three-digit speeds for extended periods of time.

Octavia can complete the 0-100kmph acceleration run in 8.29 seconds. Moreover the gear acceleration from 20kmph to 80kmph takes 4.64 seconds, and the gear acceleration from 40kmph to 100kmph takes 5.53 seconds.

Both the in-gear kick-down durations imply that there is a significant amount of usable performance available early in the rev-range. In terms of fuel efficiency, the real-time numbers are 7.48kmpl in city driving and 14.46kmpl on the interstate.

The Skoda Octavia is most recognizable for its face, and Skoda has swapped the split headlights for single-piece rectangular ones with LED lights and DRLs in current iteration. The form of the lights is now very similar across the Skoda range, paying homage to the Czech glass industry.

While the front of the car has grown larger, these lines have become softer, giving the Skoda an even larger appearance than before. The trademark Skoda grille has been softened and looks more luxurious as a result of the massive chrome surround.

When you look at this Gen-4 Octavia in profile, you notice a restrained European delicacy. The previous car's forward-leaning posture and flared wheel arches have been toned down, yet they remain and provide appropriate sportiness to the overall design.

Because this is the more expensive L&K trim, you get badging on the side and these extremely busy-looking 17-inch wheels that Skoda has called Pulsar black and reserved only for this L&K trim.

While the side and face have undergone significant alterations, the rear has clearly progressed from the previous generation, becoming larger and rounder but with less drama.

Let's start with the interiors. The first is that while the Octavia's total length has increased by 30mm, its wheelbase has decreased by 17mm.

While this may sound unusual, it's a trivial figure given that the Octavia is a very large vehicle with plenty of space inside. The second point to mention is that this new-generation Octavia is available in India in two trim levels: Style and the more opulent L&K variation, which is what we're looking at today.

The interiors of this next generation Octavia are possibly best described as minimalist yet purposeful. The entire interior has been decked out in beige over black, which has been an Octavia hallmark for years, and there's no badging, an overabundance of chrome, or bright plastics - simply clean smooth lines in a vertically stacked layout.

The polymers utilized are consistent for the category, with all contact surfaces meeting or exceeding expectations in terms of quality, fit, and finish. In terms of ergonomics, everything is comparable, with everything falling easily to hand whether you are in the driver's seat or the passenger seat.

The two huge screens are the focus of the whole dashboard, as is the case with many automobiles nowadays. The screen on the right displays Skoda's virtual cockpit, while the screen on the left displays the infotainment system.

The 10-inch infotainment screen is the largest Skoda has ever fitted to an Octavia and includes the usual features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mirror link, wireless connectivity, vehicle health, and of course connected car technology via in-sim-card and a dedicated mobile app that offers a variety of services such as driver assessment, car services, and general information.

The Skoda Octavia is supported by McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear. It has disc brakes on all four wheels, and the car we tested was an L&K model with 18-inch wheels.

The Octavia rides quite well, absorbing many of the bumps and flaws on our route with a surprising ease for a car of its size. Only when things are truly bad do you become more cautious, but even then the automobile calms fast.

At high speeds, the automobile performed admirably, even across the greater undulations.

The steering lacks sensation in the dead-ahead position but becomes more progressive as you accelerate. It is pretty precise, although we would have preferred greater steering feel for a more involved driving experience.

Finally, even with regular usage, the disc brakes all around provide fairly decent stopping force. According to our test results, it came to a stop from 100kmph in 3.39 seconds and 42 metres.

When the Skoda Octavia was crash-tested in 2019, Euro NCAP awarded it a maximum five-star certification, with exceptional 92% marks for adult occupants and 88% for youngsters.

The Skoda Octavia has a lot of driver-assist technology, but regrettably, very little of it comes standard. Blind spot detection, for example, was standard on the SE L First Edition but is an expensive option on the SE L (and isn't even accessible on the SE). Only the hot vRS model has Travel Assist (with traffic sign recognition, adaptive lane help, predictive adaptive cruise, traffic jam assist, and - on DSG versions - emergency assist).

The Skoda Octavia has been on the Indian automotive market for two decades, which is a lengthy period for any vehicle. However, the world that the original India-spec Octavia came into is considerably different from the one that the current Octavia has been born into. This fourth-generation vehicle must compete for market share with a slew of fast-selling SUVs.

On the negative, it does not have a diesel option, does not have a sunroof, and may benefit from extra amenities for the back passengers. However, it is also quick, comfortable, amply filled with equipment and will always stick out owing to it being a sedan among a crop of SUVs.

At the time of writing, the Octavia range was priced between Rs 27 lakh and Rs 30.44 lakh.