Skoda Octavia RS 2019 Review

With the 169TSI, 180TDI and manual variants gone, the new MY 2019 Skoda Octavia RS line-up is down from 10 variants to four (RS and RS245, in either sedan or wagon).

Prior to MY19 only the top-shelf RS245 (‘245’ signifying its 245hp – or 180kW – engine) got the high-output 2.0-litre, but now it’s standard on both RS and RS245, teamed with only one transmission choice, the seven-speed dual-clutch (or DSG).

The manual is no longer available in a RS.

The Skoda Octavia RS has always been a performance car enthusiast’s more roomy, more practical (and cheaper) alternative to hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI (although not quite as quick or as sharp-handling as the Golf).

The RS represents good value-for-money – and now, with impressive performance – against other mid-sizers such as the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat.

Although the Mondeo and Mazda6 offer similar engine outputs, they don’t have the sports focus of the RS.

The Octavia RS DSG sedan is $39,990 (plus on-road costs), which is $1400 less than the now defunct, less powerful Octavia RS 169TSI DSG cost last year.

Standard features on the Octavia RS include 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Safety is covered off with seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, front assist and city emergency brake.

The Virtual Cockpit display is a $700 optional extra, as is metallic/pearl paint. A luxury pack ($2800) offers leather-seats, electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seat, lane assist, blind spot detection, heated front and rear seats and auto dimming/folding door mirrors.

The Octavia RS versions has 12 month/15,000km service intervals and servicing packs covering general maintenance can be bought for three-year ($860) or five-year ($1700) periods.

Warranty is five years/unlimited kilometres. As tested (with optional Virtual Cockpit and metallic paint), the RS sedan was $41,190 (plus ORCs).

There is a lot to like about the Octavia RS; it’s quick, it handles, and it offers family-friendly accommodation.

Although the 2.0-litre turbo spins out quickly and smoothly, it does need around 1800rpm to wake up, and is a bit thirsty around town – we averaged 11.2L/100km in mostly city driving.

The DSG transmission is a refined bit of kit, and the only driveline issue is axle hop off the mark in some conditions (wet roads, or lumpy dry tarmac, for example). In Sport mode (there are four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual), steering firms up nicely (it feels a bit too light in Eco or Normal mode) and thanks to the Bridgestone Potenza S001s’ excellent grip and the (mechanical) limited-slip diff, you’ll string together a bunch of corners very quickly.

If you like a front-drive chassis that you can adjust with a bit of rear-steer, the RS is a bit of a disappointment – its preference is resolute understeer.

Ride quality is quite good – the Skoda does that rare thing of remaining composed and controlled over just about any surface taken at speed yet it isn’t harsh over bumps.

The new MY19 Skoda Octavia RS went on sale in Australia last October, and is the final refresh of this series.

A new-generation Octavia will be announced next year.

The Octavia RS is a versatile car that would appeal to a young family where the driver (or drivers) want a performance car with practicality. It’s a case of having your cake and eating it too.

The interior is well put together with quality materials but it does look a bit old-fashioned – for example, the column wands have their origins in the late 1990s B4 Passat/Gen 4 Golf era.

The front seats are not racing buckets, but keep you well planted in the corners while not requiring gymnastic moves to get in and out of. There’s plenty of room in the back, although like many second-row bench seats it favours the outer passenger comfort over the poor soul stuck in the middle seat – which is very firm and not supportive.

The boot is massive – 590 litres (1580 litres with rear seat down) – plenty enough for a family’s holiday gear. The spare wheel, tucked under the boot floor, is an 18-inch, 80km/h-limited steel space-saver. That’s not so great.

Towing capacity is 1600kg (braked) but maximum towball download mass is just 75kg. Forget trailers or campers/caravans near the Octavia’s limit that require the typical 10-15 per cent towball download.

The Octavia RS sits in the medium car segment, which includes competitors such as Ford Mondeo, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat.

None of these cars really cover the performance angle like the RS does though. While it is undeniable good value at just under $40K (plus on-roads), it lacks features that its competitors have such as satnav and dual-zone climate control.

This is an engaging car for its ability to straddle two requirements: family duties and performance driving.

Its chassis isn’t as involving as you might hope for and this is now a dated model, but with plenty of grip and go and room to move, the Octavia RS is an appealing, athletic family hauler.

How much does the Skoda Octavia RS Sedan cost?
Price: $39,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 180kW/370Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: N/A
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP