2024 Skoda Octavia RS evaluate

For many years the Skoda Octavia RS has been a favorite for sensible automobile consumers who need one thing a bit sporty.

It stays one of the vital convincing choices for a purchaser who needs to be pragmatic but in addition responsibly indulgent, with comparatively attainable pricing and a wealth of intelligent options and good packaging combining with an thrilling drive expertise.

The 2024 mannequin 12 months modifications for the Octavia RS see just a few changes in spec, and costs have as soon as once more been elevated. Nevertheless it now additionally comes with a seven-year guarantee, which actually provides to the worth quotient.

How a lot does the Skoda Octavia RS value?

The Octavia RS wagon is the most costly Skoda midsize mannequin you will get – priced from $58,490 plus on-road prices.

For those who aren’t all for driving rapidly or having a faster-looking Octavia, that Type grade affords large worth, and it makes a number of sense for many who aren’t more likely to discover excuses simply to go for a drive. 

The Octavia RS is on the market with a $6600 Premium Pack, which provides stuff you may like, equivalent to leather-accented seat trim, heated entrance seats with electrical seat adjustment, these entrance seats even have a therapeutic massage perform and reminiscence settings, heated second-row outboard seats, Canton 12-speaker sound system, a head-up show for the driving force, three-zone local weather management, and the optionally available bundle additionally contains adaptive suspension dampers.

However if you need different alternate options to contemplate, there are just a few. First, the Subaru WRX Sportswagon ($50,990 to $58,990), which could not have the identical participating drive expertise as WRXs of years passed by, however it’s a quicker-than-average, sporty driving wagon with heaps of practicality on supply. 

Up till just lately one other good choice would have been the Peugeot 508 Sportswagon, however that mannequin just isn’t a PHEV-only alternative and has copped an enormous value hike in consequence (now $82,915 plus on-roads).

You could possibly additionally try the Mazda 6, which is on the market with a turbo-petrol engine and with the selection of sedan or wagon ($36,140 to $55,535). 

Or, for those who can take care of a sedan physique type and the Skoda Liftback isn’t doing it for you, perhaps take a look on the vastly improved Hyundai Sonata N Line (from $55,500).

For those who’re curious, the paint seen on this RS mannequin is a variant-specific hue referred to as Mamba Inexperienced, and it’s the one no-cost alternative, too.

Different choices embody Magic Black Pearl, Race Blue metallic, Graphite Gray metallic, Good silver metallic and Moon White metallic, all of which value $770. Select Velvet Pink metallic and it’s a $1100 choice.

2024 Skoda Octavia pricing:

2024 Skoda Octavia Type liftback: $42,490 (+$1500)2024 Skoda Octavia Type wagon: $43,990 (+$1500)2024 Skoda Octavia RS liftback: $56,990 (+$1000)2024 Skoda Octavia RS wagon: $58,490 (+$1000)

Costs excluding on-road prices

What’s the Skoda Octavia RS like on the within?

It was good to spend a while in an Octavia RS with none choices packing containers ticked for this evaluate, as a result of it provides you a terrific sense of what you get as commonplace, and the way a lot worth that optionally available pack actually does add.

Purists will love the very fact there’s guide seat adjustment for the cloth-trimmed, diamond-stitched sports activities seats, however having spent months in a earlier RS wagon with the optionally available pack, I did miss the reminiscence setting for the seats – my accomplice and I’ve an enormous seat disparity.

The sporty buckets are very cozy, although, with a great quantity of bolstering and the material trim is sweet and grippy. 

You get ambient lighting on the sprint and a pleasant mixture of supplies by way of the cabin, and there may be LED inside lighting too, whereas the driving force will get a totally digital 10.25-inch instrumentation panel and there’s a ten.0-inch infotainment system with sat nav, DAB radio, wired/wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a heap of different options out there, too.

In earlier occasions with this-generation Octavia I’ve had quite a lot of technical points with cellphone mirroring, however this time round, it was a grimace-free expertise, which is a pleasant enchancment.

Although I nonetheless don’t love that there’s no dials for the infotainment system, and that it’s a must to modify some components of the air-conditioning system by way of the display, moderately than utilizing bodily buttons.

For example, there’s a house ‘bar’ on the backside of the display for local weather controls together with temperature adjustment, however there isn’t any fan management button/slider there, so it’s a must to modify the velocity of the air utilizing the primary display – except you’re a kind of cretins that leaves it on “Auto” – I’m joking!

There are some oddly sized cupholders between the entrance seats, and some free merchandise storage spots, too, plus you get flocked door pockets with bottle holsters, and within the driver’s door there’s a hidden umbrella for these sudden and more and more frequent storms.

And whereas I didn’t assume I’d miss having a panoramic sunroof (a $1900 choice), it does loosen up the cabin so much, given the expanse of the black headlining which might make issues really feel a bit gloomy inside.

The rear seat has a heap of good options that occupants (and fogeys) will love, equivalent to retractable sun-blinds, a pair of USB-C ports, directional air-vents, map pockets with gadget nooks on the seat backs, lined bottle holders within the doorways, a flip-down armrest with cup holders and storage, and there’s additionally a ski port.

Occupants will discover there’s sufficient area to suit behind greater front-seaters – at 182cm/6’0” I may simply slot in behind my very own driving place, with sufficient knee, foot and head room to be snug. There’s additionally sufficient width that, if pushed, you may match three adults throughout, being conscious of the transmission tunnel intrusion.

For the mums and dads studying this, you’ve received ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three top-tether factors, too, and – from expertise – you may match a rearward-facing capsule with room to spare for a mum or dad in entrance.

Oh, and fogeys will even LOVE the very fact there are proximity unlocking sensors on the rear doorways in addition to the entrance, which means you may unlock the again door and cargo your youngster into their seat with out having to make that annoying further few-step journey to set off the entrance doorways to unlock. There’s additionally an electrical tailgate, too.

Now, the boot area on supply within the Octavia RS is convincing, too. There’s both 600 litres (VDA) for those who select the liftback, or 640 litres (VDA) for those who get the wagon. That’s simply sufficient to suit a bigger pram and a few further baggage.

Below the boot ground there’s a space-saver spare wheel, and the boot area includes a reversible mat (rubber on one aspect, carpet on the opposite), which is handier than you’d count on. There’s additionally a set of nets to safe gadgets in place, and distant rear-seat releases if you wish to fold the seats down.

Simply be aware, although, that there’s a little bit of an intrusion between the boot and the backseats, so it received’t be a fully-flat area – however there may be 1700L VDA of area to play with.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

There have been no modifications beneath the bonnet for the 2024 Skoda Octavia RS, and actually, that’s no large deal – as a result of this can be a nice powertrain.

The EA888 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine employed right here has 180kW of energy and 370Nm of torque, and which means this sporty wagon will do 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds. 

There’s a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission with paddle-shifters, and the RS is front-wheel drive. In different markets, there’s an AWD mannequin, which we sadly miss out on.

Gas financial system is rated at 6.8 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle, and also you’ll have to fill it up with 95 RON premium unleaded, and it has a 50-litre gas tank capability. In my real-world testing throughout every week of blended driving, I noticed a return of 8.3 litres per 100km. 

How does the Skoda Octavia RS drive?

It drives fantastically, and it doesn’t want the adaptive dampers to do it.

That’s the factor that stood out most to me, having lived with a new-gen Octy RS for months on finish. In that long-term mortgage, I used to be usually twiddling with the adaptive suspension settings, looking for the correct steadiness for no matter surfaces I used to be encountering.

On this extra fundamental instance, the inherent qualities of the platform for this automobile shine by way of, because it possesses and reveals a cushty journey, which – admittedly – is a bit firmer than a typical Octavia, and it sits a bit decrease to the bottom as a result of its sports activities chassis setup.

Besides, it affords a cushty and composed journey in most conditions, whereas additionally providing the driving force sufficient enjoyable consider corners, with a properly stuck-down drive expertise in most conditions. The Octavia RS has a beautiful driving character to it, and relying on the drive mode you’re in, it may be sedate and cruisy or extra centered and sporty.

The minor gripe I’ve is that, at occasions, the engine can overpower the entrance tyres, particularly for those who dose it, which is just a byproduct of getting a lot torque to get to the floor – however there’s a typical digital differential lock that will help you energy out of corners.

The steering is gorgeous, too, with a fast ratio and nice response in corners, whereas additionally providing a easy and really usable for boring driving, too, with an excellent predictable response for parking strikes – for those who don’t wish to use the now-standard auto parking tech.

The powertrain additionally affords that sensible duality, with a manageable city driving expertise (sure, although the dual-clutch computerized transmission and engine start-stop system can interrupt proceedings in visitors), and but with ample energy delivered in a linear method, ample mid-range pulling energy for zippy strikes in visitors and overtaking, and sufficient zest to place hairs in your chest, if you need that.

The DSG doesn’t muck about in the case of shifting gears at velocity, both, with a immediate and predictable logic that just about by no means will get it fallacious, particularly for those who’re giving it some hustle.

There are some issues that might be improved when it comes to the drive, although.

As with most MQB-based choices from the VW Group, there may be a number of highway noise intrusion into the cabin. Some further sound deadening – particularly for coarse-chip roads – wouldn’t go astray.

And additional, whereas a reversing digicam and all-around parking sensors is helpful, household consumers would little question admire a surround-view digicam system.

What do you get?

Octavia Type highlights:

18-inch alloy wheelsSpace-saver spare wheelMatrix LED headlightsLED fog lights with cornering functionLED tail lightsLED puddle lightsRain-sensing window wipersPrivacy glassChrome window body surroundsSilver roof rails (wagon solely)Energy tailgate with hands-free openingElectric, heated and power-folding aspect mirrors10.25-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster10.0-inch ‘Columbus’ infotainment systemSatellite navigationTwo USB-C portsWireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto8-speaker sound systemWireless cellphone chargerKeyless entry and push-button startDual-zone local weather controlLED ambient inside lightingLeather-wrapped steering wheelPaddle shiftersRear door window sunshadesShift-by-wire gear selectorElectric park brakeAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorFabric upholstery

Octavia RS provides:

19-inch alloy wheelsElectronically locking limited-slip entrance differentialSports suspensionProgressive steeringBlack window surroundsDual exhaust tipsGloss black exterior highlightsAuto-dimming driver’s aspect mirror10 airbagsBlind-spot assistRear cross-traffic alertAdaptive cruise management with cease & goLane Help with Adaptive Lane GuidanceDAB+ digital radio5 x USB-C portsDrive mode selectorAluminium pedalsFabric upholstery with pink distinction stitching

Is the RS value $14,500 extra to get that stuff? Inform us your ideas within the feedback!

Is the Skoda Octavia RS protected?

The Octavia was awarded the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking in 2019.

It scored 92 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 87 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 73 per cent for susceptible highway consumer safety, and 79 per cent for security help.

Normal security options embody:

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian detectionCyclist detectionLane-keep assistAdaptive cruise controlDriver fatigue monitoringFront and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraTyre stress monitoringBlind-spot assistRear-cross visitors alert with brakingManoeuvre brakingCan brake the automobile if obstacles are detected at low speeds)Emergency AssistPark help

Octavia RS provides:

Adaptive cruise management with cease/goCrew Shield AssistPre-collision pre-tensioning and crash preparationLane Help with Adaptive Lane Steerage*A part of choice pack on base gradeEmergency Help Will cease automobile and put hazards on if driver unresponsive*A part of choice pack on base grade

For those who select the Octavia Type, the automobile is fitted with eight airbags – twin entrance, front-side, entrance centre, driver’s knee, and full size curtains.

However choosing the RS mannequin means you get 10 airbags, with the entire above plus rear aspect thorax airbags, too.

How a lot does the Skoda Octavia RS value to run?

Skoda has made a seven-year, limitless kilometre guarantee commonplace on its mannequin vary, matching the likes of MG, GWM, Ssangyong and Kia, amongst others.

The model additionally has respectable service choices on paper. Upkeep is scheduled at 12 months/15,000km, and there are a few methods you may go about servicing your automobile if you wish to achieve this with Skoda.

Firstly, you may pay as you go. There’s a capped-price servicing plan out there for the mannequin vary.

However the smarter alternative is to prepay your servicing, and you are able to do so by both selecting a five-year/75,000km service plan ($2600) or a seven-year/105,000km plan ($3400) – both of these represents a saving of a whole bunch of {dollars} over paying as you go.

And, get this – for those who service with Skoda, you may rise up to 9 years of roadside help included.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Skoda Octavia RS

If there’s one factor that the Skoda Octavia does nicely, it’s just about the whole lot.

It’s nonetheless the go-to sporty wagon for many who desire a family-sized automobile that’s enjoyable and quick.

It’s beautiful to drive, and with seven years of guarantee cowl it makes an excellent stronger case now than in years passed by. 

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