We often think of the best-known brands, Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen, but few know of Volkswagen’s iron-curtain child, Skoda. ŠKODA was a place where VW could build cheap cars after Soviet Union went tits-up, but ŠKODA has shed her frumpy frock, to frolic free.

Every ŠKODA shares platforms and engines, as well as switchgear, electronics and other such knowhow, with other Volkswagen brands. Don’t be surprised if you see a version of our 110kw 1.4L engine in a SEAT, of Volkswagen, or, shock of shocks, Audi.

Octavia is Golf-sized, with whom it shares much, apart from the price.

Outside

The new generation of Octavia is a sensation, and despite its silly name, is  pretty yet butch. Masculine angles eschew the wanton need for unnecessary curves and bends. Instead, ŠKODA deals with making strong statements by stretching the lines across the front end and along the side in a single sweep.

Standard Matrix LED headlights, and chic LED tail lights, give Octavia an elegant aura. The solid feel of the doorhandles, mirrors, and other fittings, add to the gravitas.

The rear of the fastback-style sedan is one huge hatch, with surprise and delight concealed within. All 4 doors have easy-entry keyless access, and that is something you only get in posh motors.

Octavia is long and low, with a pleasantly sporty look.

Above: This Week – 2021 ŠKODA Octavia Style 110TSI Review

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ABOVE: 2021 ŠKODA Octavia – The Smoothest Car NO One Knows About. Here’s Why

Inside

The new ŠKODA Octavia cabin is a triumph. Our test car had been lavished with the love of 7,800 gorgeous dollars’ worth of technology and luxury.

Sitting in the pilot’s chair gives access to the digital dash and (optional) head-up display. ŠKODA has less of a “single panel sweep” than her cousin, VW Golf. None the less it works well.  Seats are comfortable, and as you settle in to place, the thoughtful touches gradually reveal themselves. It isn’t just that everything is within easy reach, and that ŠKODA has started to adopt the new VW ethos, it is that even the little easter eggs work well.

ŠKODA is known for brollies in doors, sunglass holders, removable bins in doors, and bag-hooks aplenty, but the sling, is a thing.

Rear seats are spacious, but the boot has a sling across behind the back seat as a handy parcel shelf. I’ve never seen something so useful, that wasn’t at one of “those” parties. Not only that, there are big bag hooks, and a couple of cargo nets. There should be something there for all tastes, no matter how “exotic” your tastes run.

There is even a USB-C in the rear-view mirror to power dashcams, which really made me smile. I’m always fumbling about for a place to plug in the Navman.

The gear toggle takes pride of place on the centre console, but other controls have moved up onto centre stack. I’m glad to see physical buttons for some of the oft-used functions, with virtual buttons often difficult to find, and even harder to use. The big LCD touch screen accesses almost all settings and displays, including optional drive modes and active suspension. By comparison, Golf has banished all function to the screen, leaving the stack looking rather bereft and baron. It is neat to the point of obsession, but a complete bugger to use. ŠKODA has taken a slightly less literal approach to an organised cabin.

New ŠKODAs have attractive roll/scroll/push drums on the steering wheel. They look stunning but I worry about their longevity, such is their delicate appearance.

The Drive

Delightfully light steering manages enough feel to convey a sense of position on the road. It stiffens slightly as the suspension stands to attention when sports mode is commanded. While corners can be taken briskly, I wouldn’t call the 110TSI, a rocket.

You waft along in regal splendour, with travel assist taking care of most of the boring stuff, while the driver monitors proceedings like a conductor at a concert. The ride is positively scrumptious, and the rear blinds mean the VIPs can shield themselves from the Dianna-esque doings of the paparazzi.

There is more than enough oomph to tackle hills, but it is the long straight stretches of highway that Octavia eats up like an OAP at a buffet. Steering keeps you centred, and collision avoidance watches almost everything td almost any speed, and chucks out the anchors if things go amiss.

One might think that a 1.4L engine might feel insipid, and in normal mode, it is. The trade-off is even the friskiest of us is going to get fab fuel figures, with most punters expecting 5.9L/100k, without the expense of batteries and a washing machine motor tucked under.

We spent a week mixing city chores, with freeway frollics. The only annoyance was the Stop/Start, but we turned that nonsense off, quick smart. You might be expecting a DSG gearbox, but it seems VW is done with them.

All the gadgets worked well, with most centred around driver aids and safety gear.

The main thing I want you to take away from this is that Octavia is incredibly smooth, beautifully elegant, stuffed full of tasty gizmos.

To be fair, many of the things we really liked, were part of the $7,800 lux/tech pack, and that’s a shame. It means canny buyers may think they’re saving a few shekels by not ticking that box, but these are things you’ll really want, even if you don’t know it.

See more of ŠKODA’s Australian range HERE

Conclusion.

Even without the pack below, the $34,890 ŠKODA Octavia is a peach, but paying extra gives you so many wonderful surprises, and to go without is a folly.

There is the odd bit pf hard plastic, but the trim is generally of great quality. Octavia is extremely comfortable and incredibly handsome, as well as being well equipped. Take my advice and include the packs, for maximum enjoyment. Personally, ŠKODA should include the HUD and safety gear, gratis. And while we’re about it, the 5 X USB-C should be standard too, even the entry level models. I know ŠKODA builds cars to a price, but Christ on a Cracker, throw us a bone!

Check out the specs in our NEWS story HERE

  • Price: Octavia 110TSI KODA Style Sedan $34,890, Wagon $36,190
  • Engine: 1.4-litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine
  • Power: 110kW/250Nm
  • Econ: 5.7 sedan, 5.9L/100km Wagon combined
  • Trans: 8 Speed Auto

TECH & LUXURY PACK STYLE 110TSI RRP $7,800

You save $5,400 (41%)

  • Leather appointed seat upholstery $2,900
  • Electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat with memory $1,400
  • Adaptive Chassis Control $1,300
  • Head up display $1,100
  • Side Assist Blind Spot Detection $1,000
  • Heated front and rear seats value $900
  • Premium 12 speakers German Canton sound system $900
  • Adaptive lane guidance $900
  • Digital radio reception $400
  • Emergency Assist $400
  • Traffic Jam Assist $400
  • Rear Traffic Alert $400
  • Drive Mode Selection $300
  • Three zone climate control with control panel in rear $300
  • Five USB C (2 x front, 2 x rear, 1 x rear view mirror) $200
  • Mechanical sun blinds for rear windows (standard on Wagon) $200
  • Auto dimming Electrically adjustable, heated/ foldable door mirrors with memory $200

Total Individual Items value $13,200

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