2024 Skoda Octavia RS wagon new car review

Australians are buying big SUVs in massive numbers but this family hauler shows you don’t need to have a high-riding car.

This Skoda blends the performance of a hot hatch with the practicality and space needed for a growing family.

Here are five things you need to know about it.

IT’S A GTI FOR THE FAMILY

The Skoda Octavia RS wagon has the heart of a Golf GTI.

Skoda is part of the giant Volkswagen Group and the Octavia RS wagon shares much of its mechanical elements with the Volkswagen Golf GTI but comes with a more practical interior.

Under the bonnet is the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine as the GTI. It makes 180kW and 370Nm and is matched to a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch auto driving the front wheels.

There are multiple driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual that alter the suspension firmness, throttle response and exhaust note.

Throw in sharp, well weighted steering, great body control, ventilated disc brakes front and back for extra stopping power and you’ve got a family wagon that’s a hoot to drive. The flip side is firm suspension in all modes, which causes it to crash over bigger bumps and jiggle over small road imperfections.

It completes the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint in a respectable 6.7 seconds. That’s slower than the GTI’s 6.4 seconds, mainly due to the 100kg-plus extra weight of the Octavia’s bigger body.

Not only does it have plenty of space inside but there a lots of smart features, too.

HANDY FEATURES ABOUND

Skoda pitches its cars as “Simply Clever” and the Octavia RS lives up to the claim.

Delve deeper into the Octavia RS and you’ll find lots of nifty features that are useful and practical.

Open the power tailgate and peer in to the boot and you’ll find a reversible floor mat that is carpet on one side and hard wearing rubber on the other for when you have wet and dirty items.

There are plenty of hooks in the cargo area to tie down items so they don’t slide around and a cargo net to throw over the weekly shop so your eggs don’t get scrambled.

Velcro cargo fasteners can be stuck to the boot’s floor mat to keep suitcases in place, too.

There’s also an umbrella in the driver’s side door.

New cars are getting more expensive and the octavis RS is no different.

PRICES HAVE JUMPED

The Octavia RS is priced at $58,490 drive-away. That sounds like solid value compared to the Golf GTI’s roughly $62,000 price tag, but the price has increased by more than $5000 since it first launched a few years ago.

There’s a decent amount of kit for the spend, though, with well bolstered sport seats wrapped in cloth with contrast red stitching and RS badging on the front headrests.

A leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel adds some sporty appeal, as do the aluminium sports pedals and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

A 10-inch infotainment screen is paired with a 10.25-inch fully digital driver display with a choice of different screen layouts.

Five USB ports and a wireless charging pad will keep all your devices fully juiced.

Other goodies include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back along and ambient lighting inside with a choice of colours.

A seven-year warranty and seven years of servicing costs $3400 if you buy a prepaid package.

You’ll need to pay extra to get some luxe features.

SOME THINGS ARE MISSING, THOUGH

There are some notable items missing that you’d typically expect from a circa-$60,000 car.

Power adjustable and heated front seats wrapped in faux-suede and leather are part of a $6600 Premium Pack that also comes with a 12-speaker Canton stereo with subwoofer, tri-zone airconditioning, memory side mirrors and a head-up display that projects vital information such as your speed and safety warnings on to the windscreen in front of the driver.

An optional panoramic sunroof costs $1900 and premium or metallic paint costs between $770 and $1100.

SAFETY IS IMPRESSIVE

Skoda has all the bases covered with eight airbags and a range of active driver aids.

The Octavia RS will automatically hit the brakes if it detects a potential collision and will warn you if a car is in your blind spot or approaching from the side as you reverse.

Several sensors will keep you centred in your lane and adaptive cruise control will maintain your speed and distance with the car in front.

The Octavia performed superbly in independent crash tests with top ratings for adult and child occupant protection.