2017 Skoda Octavia revealed

Czech brand gives its mid-sizer a mid-life overhaul

27 October 2016 Andrew Maclean

2017 Skoda Octavia. Photo: Supplied

Skoda has revealed details of its upgraded Octavia range.

Set to arrive in local showrooms by mid 2017 alongside the company's first compact SUV, the recently revealed seven-seat Kodiaq, the mid-sized hatch and wagon has received a mid-cycle update that brings fresh styling, improved safety and new infotainment functionality.

The most obvious change is a redesigned front bumper that incorporates an odd-looking four-headlight arrangement with full LED technology - a feature that is likely to be optional on local models or reserved for higher-grade variants. Skoda says the centrally-mounted logo is also more prominent than the current model and that the styling changes give the car a wider appearance.

Inside the cabin, a new infotainment system uses capacitive touch screen technology with top-grade models featuring a large 9.2-inch glass-fronted screen and having internet capability.

On the safety front, the Octavia has upgraded electronic driver aids including reverse trailer assistance, rear cross traffic alert and a predictive pedestrian alert within the autonomous emergency braking function.

And Skoda has continued to live up to its 'simply clever' marketing tag with a host of new user-friendly conveniences, such as a customisable key allowing different drivers to tailor their own vehicle settings, bottle holders that facilitate the opening of bottles and a removable torch in the boot of wagon variants.

Drive Comments

7 Comments

puzzled | 2016-10-27 23:27:13

alongside the company's first compact SUV, the recently revealed seven-seat Kodiaq Two things - the Yeti was Skoda's first compact SUV, and second - the Kodiaq isn't compact

Foresooth | 2016-10-28 09:54:02

My 2011 Superb Combi has a removable magnetic, rechargeable, LED torch in the boot as standard. My 2007 Octavia had excellent large bottle bins in the doors slanted towards you which made them easy to open and grab out. Simply clever....

Foresooth | 2016-10-28 09:54:04

Mr Majestyk | 2016-10-28 20:38:23

Those double lights are hideous!

Sidney Mincing | 2016-10-29 02:51:50

.....bottle holders that facilitate the opening of bottles... Wow!, simply wow!..... and a removable torch in the boot.... Good heavens, what a break-through, who would have thought, absolutely ground-breaking technology

Foresooth | 2016-10-29 05:48:14

Sydney - these are not about great technologies, Skodas already have that. These are surprise and delight features, often small and not necessarily immediately obvious. Handy, clever things that are useful. Like the parking ticket holder clip. Or adjustable climate control vent in the console. And so on. That little magnetic torch is a godsend when you have to change a wheel or check something in the dark. And it doubles as a boot light. Or the umbrella in the door. Or the hooks, sliding rails and moveable/extendable barrier in the wagon. Not big things, usually, but many of them and simply clever.