New Skoda Octavia: Full Australian details

When the new 2021 Skoda Octavia finally arrives Down Under in late April, it will be both significantly higher-tech and more expensive.

First revealed in November 2019 and then delayed in Europe due to a software bug, the fourth-generation Czech mid-sizer will again be available in three grades (Ambition, Style and RS) and two body styles (sedan/liftback and wagon), for a total of six model variants.

The new Skoda Octavia Scout crossover and plug-in hybrid Octavia RS iV are yet to be confirmed for Australia.

So, for now, the 2021 Skoda Octavia range opens with the 110TSI Ambition sedan at $30,390 plus on-road costs – $5500 more than its direct predecessor ($24,890 plus ORCs), which helped make the MkIII Octavia Skoda’s top-selling model and Australia’s second-most popular mid-size car behind the Toyota Camry.

However, Skoda Australia says the entry-level Octavia brings $6350 worth of extra standard equipment, even if both the base Ambition and mid-range Style continue to be powered by a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, this time matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and consuming just 5.7L/100km.

New technologies standard across the A8-series 2021 Skoda Octavia line-up include a 10.0-inch infotainment screen with touch slider and the latest version of the Volkswagen Group’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, plus a head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android auto, LED Matrix headlights, LED fog and tail-lights, traffic jam assist, emergency assist and up to 10 airbags.

The Skoda Octavia 110TSI Style liftback costs $4500 more than the entry-level Ambition at $34,890 plus ORCs and the flagship Octavia RS sports sedan tops the range at $47,790 plus ORCs.

Wagon derivatives add just $1300 to the price of all three grades and consume an extra 0.2L/100km, making the Octavia RS wagon the top-shelf variant at an unchanged $49,090 plus ORCs.

The new Skoda Octavia RS is powered by a 180kW/370Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that consumes 6.8L/100km and is paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox with electronic front axle inter-wheel lock.

Standard safety equipment at base level extends to front assist autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, eight airbags (including one between the front seats), adaptive cruise control, anti-slip regulation, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic differential lock and rear parking sensors.

The 2021 Skoda Octavia 110TSI Ambition also comes with Virtual Cockpit, a 10-inch Bolero infotainment touch-screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two Type-C USB ports, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles, full LED headlights, LED tail-lights with animated indicators, eight speakers and 18-inch silver Perseus alloy wheels.

Also standard across the range is a powered tailgate, keyless starting and central locking, ambient lighting, auto wipers, silver roof rails, privacy glass, electric parking brake, umbrella in driver’s door, luggage compartment floor cover, foldable luggage hooks, two tablet holders, power windows/mirrors, rear centre armrest and sports spoiler (wagon).

In addition, the 2021 Skoda Octavia 110TSI Style scores 18-inch anthracite Perseus alloys, full Matrix LED headlights with side lights, front fog lights with cornering function, 10-inch Columbus infotainment with navigation, folding and heated wing mirrors, park assist and an alarm.

Features unique to the top-drawer RS include 10 airbags, passenger protect assist, emergency assist, side assist/lane change assist, a 15mm-lower sport chassis, progressive steering, auto hold assist, 19-inch Altair brushed anthracite alloys, RS sports seats, Virtual Cockpit with RS logo and animation, plus sport display layout with flat tacho, five Type-C USBs, digital radio and front/rear parking sensors.

Rounding out the RS extras are leather and fabric upholstery, red disc brake callipers, black door mirrors, black window frames and B-pillars, black roof lining, Alcantara door panels, carbon dash decor, black shine grille, black tailgate lettering, RS badging and, for the wagon, black roof rails.

There’s also a host of options packs, in line with demand from the majority of buyers of the outgoing A7-series Octavia, which found 2.4 million buyers worldwide since 2007 and was Skoda Australia’s best-seller for most of its eight-year lifecycle (as was the A6 Octavia launched here in 2007).

For the Octavia 110TSI Style there’s the $3200 Tech Pack including adaptive chassis control, head-up display, 12-speaker Premium Canton sound, digital radio and three-zone climate control, and the $5800 Luxury Pack.

Both can be had together for $7800 and the latter includes leather trim, powered front seats, heated front and rear seats, side assist blind spot detection, adaptive lane guidance, traffic jam assist, emergency assist, rear traffic alert, three-zone climate control with rear controls, five USB-C ports, rear window sunblinds (standard in wagon) and heated/folding side mirrors.

Finally the RS Premium Pack ($6500) adds adaptive chassis control, powered front seats, head-up display, heated front/rear seats, ‘virtual pedal’, 12-speaker Premium Canton audio, park assist, driver’s seat massaging and depth adjustment, drive mode selection, three-zone climate, rear sun blinds and heated/folding mirrors.

The only standalone options are a tow bar kit ($2100) and panoramic sunroof (wagon only) for $1900, although a three-year/45,000km service pack costs $800, or $1400 for five years or 75,000km. All new Skodas come with a five year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Finally, the RS-only colours of Candy White and Steel Grey are no extra cost, while $770 metallic paints include Moon White, Race Blue (RS only), Lava Blue (Ambition and Style), Quartz Grey, Brilliant Silver and Magic Black Pearl Effect, while Premium Velvet Red costs $1100.

How much does the 2021 Skoda Octavia cost?
110TSI Ambition sedan – $30,390
110TSI Ambition wagon – $31,690
110TSI Style sedan – $34,890
110TSI Style wagon – $36,190
RS sedan – $47,790
RS wagon – $49,090
*Prices exclude on-road costs