Skoda have updated their Octavia range for 2017, now coming to Australia with more standard equipment, active safety features, and revised prices.
The Czech automaker’s small sedan/wagon offering is now claimed to offer around $4,300 worth of new kit and safety features but with the price increased by only a small margin of as low as $500 from the older model.
The Octavia, then, occupies higher price tier and can now compete realistically with the rest of the cars in its segment. Stuff like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Hyundai i30, and even its cousin by relation of the VW Group, the Volkswagen Jetta.
Michael Irmer, Skoda Australia Managing Director, said: “As with all ŠKODA cars, the renewed Octavia was built on four pillars: safety, quality, more care for your money and carefree ownership. In all four of these aspects, a buyer can compare the Octavia in any of its versions to a same-sized prestige car and find that it is a superior offering. Closer to the Octavia’s price point, there simply is not a serious rival.”
Much like it was previously, the 2017 Octavia comes in four variants starting with the Ambition at $22,990, followed by the Style, the rugged Scout, and the sportier RS. The engines start with the 110kW/250Nm version of the 1.4-litre TSI, but move upwards in tune to 132kW and 162kW.
Diesel options include a 110kW or 135kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder which is also available with a manual. Petrol engines, however, have only the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic as transmission.
Standard features include many new safety and convenience kit such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency City Brake, Multi Collision Brake, rear view camera, parking sensors, and even a new infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Up a notch from the base Ambition trim, the Octavia Style adds a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, satellite navigation, front parking sensors, bi-xenon headlamps and driver fatigue detection.
The Sports Pack is meant as an add-on for the Ambition trim, adding Bi-Xenon headlamps, sports flat-bottomed steering wheel, as well as a black themed interior and exterior touches such as decals, spoiler, mirror caps and fog lamps. A dimming rear view mirror, automatic lights, and automatic wipers are also gained.
At the top of the range, the Octavia RS has even more sporty exterior flourishes, drive mode selection, sports suspension, electronic differential lock and paddle shifters for the DSG transmission.
For more on Skoda vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
