2025 Skoda Octavia RS review
An iconic car brand just dropped the secret weapon it plans to use to conquer Aussie roads.
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The updated Skoda Octavia RS will continue to be a popular choice for those in the know. It’s a family car that manages to be fun, too, and in this updated guise it has seen a power bump to a much healthier 195kW from its familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.
But it’s also seen a price hike, up to $62,990 drive-away for the Liftback sedan-style model, and $64,490 drive-away for the more-fancied wagon, which seems to be the king of the carpark for dads especially.
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The reason it has seen a hike over the last model – which started at $52,590 plus on-roads – is down to a heap of new standard equipment having been added, including stuff that was formerly part of a popular option pack that four out of five buyers chose, anyway.
As a result, the Premium Pack – with 15-stage adjustable suspension, a better sound system, head-up display, power/massaging front seats with memory settings, fake-suede and leather trim, and three-zone climate control – is all now standard kit, as well as a 15kW bump, a new 13.0-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, better Matrix LED headlights, a surround-view camera, auto parking assist and a heated steering wheel. So it’s arguably better value, despite costing a heap more for what was always known as a bit of a secret super wagon (or hatch-like sedan). And you still need to spend $1500 more to get a panoramic sunroof, which is only in the wagon, too.
What hasn’t changed is the excellent interior space and comfort, with a huge boot in both body-styles, a space-saver spare, and Skoda smarts like an umbrella in the door and keyless entry with walkaway locking.
The seats are exceptional in the front, and spacious in the back, and yep, rear-seat riders will love that they get their own climate control system and heated window seats, too.
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Upfront the new media display screen is a huge step up in terms of usability and smarts, with a heap of configurable favourites buttons to make quick adjustments easier than before. But there are no volume or temperature knobs, which could be frustrating for the traditionalists.
But the drive experience remains a traditionally excellent one, but now with more power on offer, it’s also a more potent thing to thrash.
Find the right stretch of road and you’ll be rewarded with a revvy engine that wants to test the car’s limits, and a DSG dual-clutch auto transmission that is snappy and smart when it comes to shifting gears.
There are paddle shifters if you think you can outsmart it, but honestly, you don’t need them. It’s a terrific powertrain. It sounds better now than ever too, with some minor tweaks to the exhaust to offer a sportier burble, but it won’t carry on like a i30 N or anything, so don’t go expecting that.
Switching between drive modes will allow you to experience the depth of capability of this car, which is smooth and comfortable when required, but more sharply tip-toey and precise if the Sunday Morning Menace surfaces.
And with the now-standard adjustable damper system, you can set up the Individual mode to be a great mix of subtlety and surety for those more enthusiastic stints.
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It’s not bad on the juice either, as I saw a realistic return of 8.2L/100km on a mix of roads.
Another big plus for some people will be the ownership program, which offers a big promise of a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and if you want to, you can prepay your servicing to save some cash as well.
Plus, if you’re worried about this Skoda’s resale value, financing it through the brand can see you set the residual in advance.
It all comes back to the idea that this is a smart family car for family people who also like to have fun.
I loved it, and I think you will, too.
Originally published as 2025 Skoda Octavia RS review
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