2017 Skoda Octavia prices revealed

Skoda's often overlooked sedan and wagon hopes to impress when the facelifted model arrives locally later this year. 

The Czech car maker has confirmed price and specifications for the mainstream models in a simplified line-up that sees the previous Ambition and Style model grades re-named to Octavia and Octavia Sport while removing the base 110TDI diesel-powered models all together. 

Along with the model overhaul, Skoda has re-worked the front bumper and slapped on some new headlights, which oddly split into a dual formation on each side. 

Kicking off the mid-size range is the entry-level Octavia sedan and wagon, which are priced from $23,490 before on-road costs in sedan form when equipped with a six-speed manual and $24,990 as a wagon. The new price points represent a small increase of $500 for the sedan and $300 for the wagon. Adding a seven-speed DSG transmission adds $2500 to the recommended retail price. 

Standard gear for the base Octavia includes a leather steering wheel, power adjustable front seats, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, remote folding rear seats via the boot, rear centre armrest and voice control. 

On the safety front the Octavia comes standard with autonomous emergency braking and fatigue detection.  

The next model up is the Octavia Sport which is priced from $29,990 for the sedan and $31,490 for the wagon and comes exclusively with a seven-speed DSG transmission. Both represent solid value compared to the outgoing mid-spec Octavia Style, which cost $3770 and $4000 more respectively. 

Octavia Sport variants gain 18-inch alloy wheels, lower sports suspension, black wing mirror caps, black side door and tailgate foils and a sedan only black spoiler over the base Octavia. 

All Octavia and Octavia Sport models are powered by the same 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that produces 110kW and 250Nm driving the front wheels. 

Arriving a little after the regular Octavia variants is the petrol-powered RS, whose 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine gets a slight nudge in power up to 169kW (up 7kW), while torque figures remain the same at 350Nm. 

Skoda also offers the RS with a diesel engine, which is now the sole oil burner in the range after the brand culled the 110TDI versions. The diesel RS sedan and wagon are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that is good for 135kW and 380Nm - the same as its predecessor. 

Pricing for the RS versions kicks off at $38,890 for a manual petrol sedan and $40,390 for a wagon in the same guise, which represent an increase of $1000 and $800 respectively. A six-speed DSG transmission adds an extra $2500 to the total. 

Getting into a RS diesel will cost you $42,490 for a sedan and $43,990 for a wagon, which is a price rise of $1200 and $1000 for each. Diesel RS variants are only available with a six-speed DSG. 

Compared to the other models in the range, the RS features a wider rear track, 18-inch black alloy wheels, assorted black body touches and a new 9.2-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Octavia and Octavia Sport models are now available for order, while the RS will be made available in the coming months. 

2017 Skoda Octavia prices*

Octavia manual sedan - $23,490 

Octavia manual wagon - $24,990 

Octavia DSG sedan - $25,990 

Octavia DSG wagon - $27,490 

Octavia Sport DSG sedan - $29,990 

Octavia Sport DSG wagon - $31,490 

Octavia RS manual sedan - $38,890 

Octavia RS DSG sedan - $41,390 

Octavia RS manual wagon - $40,390 

Octavia RS DSG wagon - $42,890 

Octavia RS DSG diesel sedan - $42,490 

Octavia RS DSG diesel wagon - $43,990

*All prices exclude on-road costs