New 2020 Skoda Octavia engine line-up expands again

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Skoda has expanded the fourth-generation Octavia’s engine range with a new 1.0-litre mild- hybrid petrol engine. The new powertrain sits at the lower end of the hatchback’s line-up, with a starting price of £23,005. Orders for the new model will open on 22 September.

For now, the existing three trim-levels are available – SE First Edition, SE Technology and SE L First Edition. An entry-level S variant and flagship vRS performance model will be introduced later this year, alongside a new plug-in hybrid powertrain option.


Like the previous-generation Octavia, buyers also have their choice of either a hatchback or estate body style. Prices for the former start from £22,390, while the latter variant has a starting price of £23,370.

Standard equipment for the Octavia SE First Edition includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and rear parking sensors. Inside, buyers get dual-zone air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, five USB-C ports, a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle and an 8.25-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Prices for the SE L First Edition start from £25,150. Upgrades over the SE include 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, headlight washers and a smattering of chrome trim. Interior improvements stretch to microsuede upholstery, heated front seats, a 10-colour LED ambient lighting system and a larger 10-inch touchscreen.

Skoda Octavia Estate - front

Skoda Octavia Estate - front
Skoda Octavia - dials

Skoda Octavia - dials
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Skoda Octavia - dash

Skoda Octavia - dash
Skoda Octavia - cabin

Skoda Octavia - cabin
Skoda Octavia - infotainment

Skoda Octavia - infotainment
Skoda Octavia - grille

Skoda Octavia - grille
Skoda Octavia - rear lights

Skoda Octavia - rear lights
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Skoda Octavia - rear

Skoda Octavia - rear
Skoda Octavia Estate - rear

Skoda Octavia Estate - rear
Skoda Octavia - steering wheel controls

Skoda Octavia - steering wheel controls
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Skoda Octavia - transmission

Skoda Octavia - transmission
Skoda Octavia - rear seats

Skoda Octavia - rear seats
Skoda Octavia - boot

Skoda Octavia - boot
Skoda Octavia - wheel

Skoda Octavia - wheel
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Skoda Octavia - front

Skoda Octavia - front
Skoda Octavia - Virtual Cockpit

Skoda Octavia - Virtual Cockpit
Skoda Octavia - screen

Skoda Octavia - screen
Skoda Octavia - front lights

Skoda Octavia - front lights
Skoda Octavia - Octavia badge

Skoda Octavia - Octavia badge

Between these two variants sits the Skoda Octavia SE Technology, which has been designed predominantly for business customers. It adds a unique set of 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors and a 10-inch infotainment system with integrated sat-nav. Prices start from £22,640 – just £250 more than the current base model.

New 2020 Skoda Octavia: drivetrain and chassis

Skoda’s latest addition to the Octavia range is a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain. The petrol engine is paired with a dinky 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack and a belt-driven starter-alternator, which generate a combined output of 108bhp.

Fuel economy figures are yet to be confirmed, but Skoda says the engine produces just 115g/km of CO2. The company also says that the unit’s con rods are so well engineered that it doesn’t need a balancing shaft to offset the uneven rotation of the engine – unusual for a three-cylinder engine.

This new mild-hybrid engine joins the Octavia’s existing three powertrains. The next step up in the petrol lineup is a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which sends power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Two diesel units are also available, both belonging to the Volkswagen Group’s EA288 family of turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines. The entry-level model will be priced from £23,300 and generate 113bhp, while the more potent model will start from £29,515 and produce 148bhp. A 197bhp variant of the same engine will be available later this year.

Skoda Octavia Estate - front

Skoda Octavia Estate - front
Skoda Octavia - dials

Skoda Octavia - dials
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Skoda Octavia - dash

Skoda Octavia - dash
Skoda Octavia - cabin

Skoda Octavia - cabin
Skoda Octavia - infotainment

Skoda Octavia - infotainment
Skoda Octavia - grille

Skoda Octavia - grille
Skoda Octavia - rear lights

Skoda Octavia - rear lights
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Skoda Octavia - rear

Skoda Octavia - rear
Skoda Octavia Estate - rear

Skoda Octavia Estate - rear
Skoda Octavia - steering wheel controls

Skoda Octavia - steering wheel controls
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Skoda%20Octavia%202020-2.jpg

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Skoda Octavia - transmission

Skoda Octavia - transmission
Skoda Octavia - rear seats

Skoda Octavia - rear seats
Skoda Octavia - boot

Skoda Octavia - boot
Skoda Octavia - wheel

Skoda Octavia - wheel
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Skoda Octavia - front

Skoda Octavia - front
Skoda Octavia - Virtual Cockpit

Skoda Octavia - Virtual Cockpit
Skoda Octavia - screen

Skoda Octavia - screen
Skoda Octavia - front lights

Skoda Octavia - front lights
Skoda Octavia - Octavia badge

Skoda Octavia - Octavia badge

Over the coming year, the Octavia’s petrol engine range will grow to include a further two units – a 242bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder for the vRS flagship and a middling 187bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine for the standard Octavia range. The latter will come equipped with a seven-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive as standard, with Skoda claiming a 0–62mph time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 145mph.

The most interesting addition is the new Octavia iV, however, which is the first Octavia to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combines with an electric motor to create a hybrid drivetrain with 201bhp and 350Nm torque.

The electric motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery pack with a 13kWh capacity, while Skoda claims that the newcomer is capable of 34 miles on battery power alone under WLTP testing, although no fuel economy figures have been published.

A six-speed automatic gearbox will be fitted as standard and Skoda says the Octavia iV will be wall-box friendly for faster recharges. It won’t be offered as a separate model either – this plug-in option will be available on all but the base S grade car and the off-road inspired Octavia Scout.

The new Octavia is also available with optional Dynamic Chassis Control. Delve within the individual drive modes and the driver can now change parameters such as the suspension, damping, steering and the responsiveness of the DSG automatic gearbox to suit their individual preferences. Optional sports suspension, lowered by 15mm, and a rough road chassis option providing 15mm additional ground clearance, can also be specified.

New 2020 Skoda Octavia: design and interior

Design wise, the latest Octavia has grown ever so slightly. The hatchback is 19mm longer than before, while the estate is 22mm longer. Both cars are 15mm wider – and, as a result, practicality has improved too. The boot of the hatchback grows to 600 litres, with the Octavia Estate now fielding a 640-litre cargo area.

Skoda’s design choices for the new Octavia echo the company’s latest styling language. The front end looks and features LED headlights as standard, but there’s a clear visual nod to the previous generation Octavia. Changes at the rear are more dramatic, though – the square taillights have been replaced by thinner, wider LED units while, like the Scala, the badge has been replaced by Skoda lettering on the boot.

Skoda Octavia Estate - front

Skoda Octavia Estate - front
Skoda Octavia - dials

Skoda Octavia - dials
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Skoda Octavia - dash

Skoda Octavia - dash
Skoda Octavia - cabin

Skoda Octavia - cabin
Skoda Octavia - infotainment

Skoda Octavia - infotainment
Skoda Octavia - grille

Skoda Octavia - grille
Skoda Octavia - rear lights

Skoda Octavia - rear lights
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Skoda Octavia - rear

Skoda Octavia - rear
Skoda Octavia Estate - rear

Skoda Octavia Estate - rear
Skoda Octavia - steering wheel controls

Skoda Octavia - steering wheel controls
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Skoda Octavia - transmission

Skoda Octavia - transmission
Skoda Octavia - rear seats

Skoda Octavia - rear seats
Skoda Octavia - boot

Skoda Octavia - boot
Skoda Octavia - wheel

Skoda Octavia - wheel
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Skoda Octavia - front

Skoda Octavia - front
Skoda Octavia - Virtual Cockpit

Skoda Octavia - Virtual Cockpit
Skoda Octavia - screen

Skoda Octavia - screen
Skoda Octavia - front lights

Skoda Octavia - front lights
Skoda Octavia - Octavia badge

Skoda Octavia - Octavia badge

Four centrally mounted infotainment systems are available. The base setup is an 8.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Three ten-inch displays of varying functionality are offered optionally, adding features such as navigation, additional apps, voice control, gesture control and the new slider function on the range-topping Columbus infotainment unit.

The interior moves further upmarket with the introduction of new softer touch plastics and chrome trim elements. Massage seats are also available for the first time, as is an optional head-up display, plus three-zone climate control and full LED matrix headlights.

Safety and driver assistance features swell to include collision avoidance assistance, steering assistance and predictive cruise control, which works alongside updated versions of traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist and traffic jam assist.

As with all Skodas, the brand has kitted the Octavia out with several trademark ‘Simply Clever’ features as standard. Alongside typical touches such as an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap and a convenient ticket holder on the driver’s side A-pillar, the new Octavia features a handy AdBlue nozzle for diesel variants and a new ‘Sleep’ package, consisting of larger, more comfortable headrests for the rear seats, stowed blankets and sun blinds.

What are the best plug-in hybrid cars on sale right now? Click here for our list of the top 10...

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