To be crowned auto express automobile of the Year, any vehicle has to have a special blend of talents that set it apart from not only rivals in its class – seeing it crowned a category champion – but also all of the award-winners from the different sectors we judge. The Skoda Octavia is that car.
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There’ll be a plug-in hybrid version joining the range in time, but the Octavia also proves that a pure-combustion engine vehicle still has the ability to be brilliant.
Skoda Octavia review
A range of efficient petrol and diesel engines means there’s lots of choice, while even the relatively high-spec trims on offer at the moment, shortly after the Octavia went on sale, still have the Czech brand’s trademark focus on value, offering lots of practicality at an economical price.
Yet it’s clear Skoda has an eye on the future, and the tech in this Octavia will underpin the model’s success for years to come. That’s because there are more semi-autonomous driver-assistance systems, with tech that should allow the Octavia and its platform to be further developed to offer more of these features in the future as legislation changes.
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Here and now, the updated infotainment is excellent, with plenty of connectivity and clever tech, such as the smart climate-control feature and up to five USB-C points to keep gadgets charged. Skoda knows this will be a automobile people depend on, and such kit is what modern families are after.