2021 Skoda Octavia price and specs: New sedan and wagon gain style, tech and price increases

The fourth-generation Octavia has a sleek new exterior design, an upgraded cabin, and more standard equipment – plus a regular automatic transmission (rather than a dual-clutch auto) on two of the three model grades.

Price rises have been applied across the range, however Skoda claims they are offset by the inclusion of a range of previously optional features now fitted as standard equipment.

The three variants offered in Australia at launch are the entry-level Ambition, mid-spec Style, and the flagship, performance-oriented RS.

Above: Skoda Octavia 110TSI Style. Top of story: Skoda Octavia 110TSI Ambition.

Sedan and wagon body styles will be offered across the range, with all variants featuring an automatic transmission as standard.

Opening the range is the Octavia 110TSI Ambition, priced from $30,390 before on-road costs in sedan guise, or $31,690 before on-roads as a wagon – up $3000 and $2200 over the outgoing automatic base model, despite $6250 worth of added equipment.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch silver alloy wheels, bi-LED headlights, LED tail-lights with scrolling indicators, a 10-inch 'Bolero' infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and Bluetooth, a 10.25-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instrument cluster, rear parking sensors, an eight-speaker sound system, a flat-bottomed three-spoke leather steering wheel and cloth seats.

There's also paddle shifters, ambient interior lighting, push-button start, a power-operated tailgate, an electric parking brake, power-adjustable mirrors, two USB-C ports, privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails and a rear centre armrest, plus a sports spoiler and rear sunblinds on wagon models.

Also standard is Skoda's usual array of 'Simply Clever' practicality touches, led by an umbrella in the driver's door. It's joined by a two tablet holders, foldable luggage hooks and a luggage compartment floor cover, the latter pair for the 600-litre boot in the sedan, and the 640-litre cargo area in the wagon.

Above: Skoda Octavia 110TSI Ambition interior.

A number of active safety technologies are fitted as standard, including adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection – though buyers keen for technologies including blind-spot monitoring and lane-following assist will need to step up to higher grades and their optional packages.

Eight airbags, including one between the front passengers, are standard.

Powering the entry-level Octavia 110TSI Ambition is a version of the outgoing model's 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, developing an identical 110kW and 250Nm.

However, as with the upcoming Mk8 Volkswagen Golf, this engine is now paired to a conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission – rather than the outgoing seven-speed dual-clutch unit – and features an electronic differential lock.

Claimed combined fuel economy is rated at 5.7L/100km and 5.9L/100km for the sedan and wagon respectively.

Above: Skoda Octavia 110TSI Style

Sitting in the middle of the range is the Octavia 110TSI Style – powered by the same engine as the 110TSI Ambition – priced from $34,890 or $36,190 before on-road costs in sedan or wagon bodies – up $2600 and $1800 respectively over the outgoing 110TSI Sport, though the new model offers greater levels of standard equipment.

Additional features over the base Ambition include 18-inch anthracite alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, a 10-inch 'Columbus' infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring and satellite navigation, front fog lights with cornering functionality, keyless entry, an alarm, automatic parking and power-folding heated door mirrors.

A range of optional packages can be had with the Style, ranging in price from $3200 to $5800 each.

The $3200 Tech Pack adds adaptive dampers, tri-zone climate control, a head-up display, a 12-speaker Canton premium sound system and digital radio.

Above: Skoda Octavia 110TSI Style.

Meanwhile, the $5800 Luxury Pack adds leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, tri-zone climate control (with a rear-seat control panel), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assist, Emergency Assist and Traffic Jam Assist, the lattermost combining adaptive cruise and lane-keep assist to steer, brake and accelerate the car in its lane in a traffic jam.

The Luxury Pack also includes memory functionality for the side mirrors (with the driver's mirror offering auto-dimming functionality, five USB-C ports (two front, two rear and one on the rear-view mirror), and rear sunblinds on sedan models.

The Tech and Luxury packs can be combined for $7800 – a $1200 saving versus optioning each package individually.

Sitting atop the range is the sporty Octavia RS, priced from $47,790 plus on-road costs as a sedan, and $49,090 plus on-roads as a wagon – the former just $800 more than the outgoing RS 245, though much of the old model's standard equipment has been moved into an optional package on the new car.

Above: Skoda Octavia RS.

Powering the RS is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine shared with the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, sending 180kW and 370Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed (wet) dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electronically-locking sports front locking differential.

A 6.7-second 0-100km/h sprint time is claimed for both sedan and wagon bodies, towards a 250km/h top speed.

Over the Style, the RS gains 19-inch Altair brushed anthracite alloy wheels, red brake calipers, 15mm-lower sports suspension, progressive sports steering, and an RS sports body kit with bespoke bumpers and side skirts, black finishes for the mirror caps, window frames, grille, wagon roof rains and tailgate RS badging.

Inside, it gains RS-badged sports seats, RS leather and fabric upholstery, carbon-fibre-look dashboard trim, Alcantara door cards, RS-specific logos and sport displays for the 10.25-inch instrument cluster, five USB-C ports, digital radio, front and rear parking sensors, and Auto Hold Assist.

The RS's safety suite also sees an expansion, featuring 10 airbags, Passenger Protect Assist (which uses vehicle sensors to detect an impending crash and tighten seatbelts, close windows and more), Emergency Assist and blind-spot monitoring.

Above: Skoda Octavia RS interior.

RS buyers can option the $6500 RS Premium Pack, which includes adaptive dampers, a head-up display, electrically-adjustable heated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, massaging functionality and cushion depth adjustment for the driver's seat, a 12-speaker Canton premium sound system and tri-zone climate control with front and rear control panels.

It also includes a drive mode selector, automatic parking, hands-free functionality for the electric tailgate, rear sunblinds for the sedan. and power-folding heated side mirrors with memory and auto-dimming.

A panoramic sunroof can be optioned across the range on wagon models, priced from $1900, while a factory- or dealer-fitted towbar can be had for $2100.

Candy White is the base colour across the range, with Moon White, Quartz Grey, Brilliant Silver and Magic Black Pearl metallic hues available as $700 options on all variants. Velvet Red Metallic is also available for an additional $1100.

A number of other colours are available, albeit restricted to select variants. Race Blue and Steel Grey are RS exclusives – the former a $770 extra, while the latter is free – while Lava Blue can be specified on 110TSI Ambition and Style grades.

Above: Skoda Octavia RS sedan. Bottom of story: Skoda Octavia 110TSI Ambition sedan and wagon.

A five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is included with all Skoda models, while three-year/45,000km and five-year/75,000km servicing packs can be purchased for $800 and $1400 respectively.

The 2021 Skoda Octavia 110TSI variants and Skoda Octavia RS will go on sale in Australia in late April.

2021 Skoda Octavia Australian pricing

Octavia 110TSI Ambition sedan – $30,390

Octavia 110TSI Ambition wagon – $31,690

Octavia 110TSI Style sedan – $34,890

Octavia 110TSI Style wagon – $36,190

Octavia RS sedan – $47,790

Octavia RS wagon – $49,090

Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.