2025 Skoda Octavia RS evaluate

Few autos tick as many packing containers as a quick wagon.

With an enormous boot, low driving place, seating for 5 and ample efficiency, vehicles just like the Skoda Octavia RS pack the elements to fulfill commuters, households and driving fanatics alike.

But, the sporty wagon is a dying breed, particularly in Australia. Skoda continues to fly the flag with its venerable Octavia RS, however rivals are few.

There’s the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, and… not a lot else, a minimum of if you’d like change from $100,000.

BMW will nonetheless promote you the 3 Collection and 5 Collection in property kind, together with full-fat M variations, whereas Audi and Porsche even have illustration within the wagon world. The German marques cost a reasonably penny although, and the present financial local weather isn’t precisely conducive to six-figure automotive purchases.

That brings us again to the Skoda. Nationwide drive-away pricing for the newly up to date Octavia RS begins from $62,990 drive-away for the liftback and $64,490 for the wagon – will increase of $6000 every, however nonetheless far lower than its European counterparts.

And Skoda has thrown in a bunch of extras to justify the value hikes, from customary adaptive suspension to an infotainment improve and 15kW energy bump.

It’s a really distinctive providing Down Below, and people within the know have excessive hopes. In any case, the RS has been the selection of the modest, discerning petrolhead for greater than 20 years.

So, how does it examine to the pre-update mannequin? And has Skoda carried out sufficient to maintain the wagon flame burning for years to come back?

How does the Skoda Octavia examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Skoda Octavia towards equally sized autos.

Skoda

Octavia

How a lot does the Skoda Octavia RS value?

In wagon guise, the RS sits on the prime of the Octavia vary, with an asking worth of $64,490 drive-away.

That represents a $6000 improve over the pre-update mannequin, though the beforehand optionally available $6600 Premium Pack has develop into customary tools.

Trying throughout the remainder of the phase, the top-spec Subaru WRX tS is barely dearer than the Skoda, whereas base variations retail within the mid-$50,000s.

The Hyundai i30 Sedan N may also be seen as a rival – it’s $52,000 earlier than on-road prices.

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s the Skoda Octavia RS like on the within?

A rethink of Octavia RS specs has seen the up to date mannequin achieve further customary equipment, though it wears an inflated price ticket to match.

The pre-update RS began at a aggressive $52,590 earlier than on-road prices, and it was a automobile missing in premium options.

For 2025, the asking worth has jumped to $59,990 plus on-road prices for the wagon, a big improve. However for the additional dough you’re getting the contents of the now-defunct Premium Pack, plus an enhanced security suite, upgraded infotainment system, and a heated steering wheel.

That makes the cabin of the 2025 Octavia RS a correctly plush place to spend your time, albeit you’re forking out extra {dollars} to be there.

The up to date RS options an an identical inside structure to the pre-update mannequin, with an identical collection of supplies all through.

The steering wheel is a carryover half, completed in a mix of clean and perforated leather-based. It falls completely within the palms, and now has a heating perform for chilly winter mornings.

Tender suede dominates the sprint and door playing cards, whereas crimson stitching provides the splash of color this in any other case monochrome house wants.

If the suede wasn’t sufficient to persuade you of the RS’ sporty predisposition, a dash-width trim piece within the model of carbon-fibre weave is certain to take action.

Whereas black plastics are ample, most are mushy to the contact and subsequently don’t decimate perceptions of high quality. I say most as a result of the world of the centre tunnel the place you relaxation your left knee is constructed of the onerous, scratchy stuff, with none padding to ease the burden on lengthy journeys.

Having mentioned that, the seats within the Octavia RS are a few of the most comfy I’ve ever sat in. Not solely do the entrance chairs look the half – they’re completed in a mixture of leather-based and suede with crimson stitching – however they’re additionally supremely ergonomic and well-suited to a variety of driving conditions.

The bottom and aspect bolsters envelop the motive force, holding you firmly in place throughout spirited driving. On the similar time, a thick base cushion maintains excessive ranges of consolation, and each entrance seats are outfitted with three-stage heating, energy adjustment, and a therapeutic massage perform.

Earlier variations of the Octavia RS have been cozy chariots to commandeer, however the up to date mannequin represents an enormous step ahead in inside know-how.

Beginning with the dangerous, the RS nonetheless goes with out linked providers in Australia. Nonetheless, the centre infotainment display screen has grown in each measurement and usefulness.

Now measuring 13 inches, the brand new show includes a clear app grid design and crystal clear graphics. It’s responsive to the touch inputs, and extra user-friendly with a configurable dwelling display screen and customisable shortcut icons.

By default, shortcuts for audio output, cellphone performance, smartphone mirroring, navigation, and local weather controls are pinned to the bottom of the display screen.

Because of this, the relative absence of bodily buttons and switches isn’t felt to similar extent because it was beforehand. 

And, not like different Volkswagen Group merchandise, the Octavia RS hasn’t fallen sufferer to the automotive fad of haptic buttons. Sure, there’s a quantity slider below the infotainment display screen, however that’s it – no fiddly steering wheel controls.

The ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster can be refreshingly simple. You may select from a small collection of layouts and knowledge readouts, with my favorite being a set of conventional gauges flanking a central knowledge show.

Skoda’s design crew have additionally carried out a incredible job of integrating the cluster into the sprint in a means that enhances the general aesthetic of the cabin.

Talking of intelligent design, the Octavia RS is the phase chief for inside practicality. It has all the standard storage options you’d count on in a automotive like this, plus helpful add-ons together with a small trash container in every door bin.

The door bins and glovebox are each spacious, though the centre console is on the shallow aspect. A pair of USB-C retailers are positioned below the centre stack, alongside a wi-fi charging tray.

There’s additionally loads of room within the second row, for each passengers and stuff. The rear doorways open vast aiding ingress and egress, and as soon as seated full-size adults have all of the house they should get comfy.

Headroom solely actually turns into a problem for these topping 6’4″ – the inclusion of a panoramic sunroof doesn’t assist that equation, but it surely’s unlikely to be a problem fairly often.  

And the sunroof is value having for the ethereal really feel it creates within the cabin, which is in any other case decked out in darkish supplies.

Outboard rear passengers are handled to three-stage seat heating, and there are many facilities to go round. On prime of the usual cupholders, door bins and air vents, the Octavia RS boasts window sunshades, map pockets with an built-in cellphone sleeve, and my favorite – a detachable storage tray that attaches to the again of the centre console.

It’s a genius addition to the second row, profiting from an area that isn’t utilised except somebody is sitting within the center seat.

The attachment doesn’t intervene with twin USB-C retailers, which be certain that rear passengers can keep on-line all through lengthy journeys.

Arguably essentially the most sensible facet of the Octavia RS is its cavernous boot. With a claimed capability of 640 litres, the Skoda trumps each the WRX Sportswagon (492L) and i30 Sedan N (464L) by a big margin.

The sq. boot aperture is each vast and tall, providing quick access in tandem with the powered tailgate.

Removed from being an empty house, the cargo space options flooring netting, bag hooks, and a 12V energy socket. There’s a tyre restore equipment below the boot flooring, rather than a real spare.

If you happen to’re after much more baggage house, the second row folds 60/40 to unlock 1700L of capability, and there’s a central ski port constructed into the rear bench.

The RS is supplied with all of the requisite top-tether and ISOFIX anchors for the protected transport of babies.

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s below the bonnet?

The brand new Octavia RS is powered by a model of the two.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine present in a variety of Volkswagen Group autos, each previous and current. On this utility, the EA888 outputs 195kW of energy and 370Nm of torque – an identical to the most recent Volkswagen Golf GTI.

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How does the Skoda Octavia RS drive?

After spending a number of hours touring throughout nation Victoria, it’s honest to say the RS strikes the proper stability between consolation and functionality.

The WRX and i30 N are sensible efficiency autos, however each are a bit of agency to function an opulent commuter or long-distance cruiser. Then again, the Octavia RS advantages from Adaptive Chassis Management (ACC) suspension, which is compliant proper via the vary of settings, from Consolation mode to Sport.

You are feeling the street floor via the seat of your pants, however there’s no crashing, bouncing or instability concerning the trip within the RS.

Consolation mode softens the Skoda up additional – it makes for a superb roadtrip automobile.

Bolstering these credentials is the Journey Help semi-autonomous driving system. It’s among the many greatest available on the market – you barely discover delicate lane corrections and the adaptive cruise perform holds a constant distance to the automotive in entrance.

Then there’s the gas economic system. Skoda claims that its efficiency hero can obtain a mixed common consumption of seven.0L/100km, a best-in-class determine. And what’s extra, it will probably. We hit the declare over a number of hours of combined driving, which is a rarity.

The Octavia RS isn’t fairly excellent, although. It produces extreme tyre roar on coarse chipped surfaces, detracting from an in any other case premium expertise.

And it will probably’t fairly match rivals for driving engagement and outright efficiency when the street turns twisty.

The up to date RS produces 195kW and 370Nm, up by 15kW. That interprets to a 0-100km/h of 6.5 seconds for the wagon, 0.2s faster than the outgoing mannequin.

On paper, these efficiency figures are stable, if not spectacular. And from the motive force’s seat, the RS responds sharply from a standstill with out throwing you again within the seat. In-gear acceleration can be robust, and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts with fast precision.

General, it’s the correct quantity of efficiency for each day avenue driving if you wish to hold onto your licence.

Having mentioned that, I want this go-fast model of the Octavia made a bit of extra noise. The exhaust system is on the quieter aspect, regardless of Skoda’s makes an attempt to liven it up for this refreshed mannequin.

As a substitute, you get some whooshing from the turbocharger up entrance, and a generic four-cylinder rumble.

The RS doesn’t essentially encourage you to push its limits and that’s in all probability for the perfect. It’s a automotive that’s greatest pushed at eight-tenths, past which dynamic flaws creep in.

A front-wheel drive structure interprets to understeer when grip, albeit out there in most conditions, runs out. And the steering rack is gentle and lifeless, with play off centre and never a lot really feel via the wheel.

So, whereas the Octavia RS is enjoyable to pilot via some twisty mountain roads, the muted exhaust word and synthetic steering go away some room for enchancment.

The i30 N is a greater driver’s automotive for these causes, whereas the Skoda is extra similar to a WRX.

We didn’t get to pattern the Octavia RS in an city setting, but it surely’s well-equipped to flourish within the suburbs.

You get a surround-view digicam, reversing digicam and park help as customary, all options that turn out to be useful when tackling busy parking heaps. Aspect and rear visibility are wonderful, aided by an additional set of home windows within the boot space.

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What do you get?

The Octavia is on the market in three flavours in Australia – Choose, Sportline, and RS.

2025 Skoda Octavia Choose tools highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• House-saver spare wheel
• LED headlights
• LED fog lights with cornering perform
• LED tail-lights
• LED puddle lights
• Dynamic indicators
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Privateness glass
• Chrome window body surrounds
• Silver roof rails (wagon solely)
• Material upholstery
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Rear door window sunshades
• Shift-by-wire gear selector
• Electrical park brake
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
• 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Two USB-C ports
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi cellphone charger with air flow
• Twin-zone local weather management
• LED ambient inside lighting
• Push-button begin
• Driver’s door umbrella and built-in holder
• Pill holders for rear-seat occupants

Octavia Sportline provides:

• 19-inch ‘Draconis’ wheels
• Matrix LED headlights with steering response
• Gloss black exterior highlights
  • Entrance spoiler
  • Radiator {surround}
  • Mirror caps
  • Window trim
  • Rear spoiler
• Black roof rails (wagon)
• Progressive steering
• Driving mode choice
• Sports activities seats 
• Heated entrance seats
• Leatherette appointed dashboard with gray stitching
• Black headliner
• Chrome steel pedal covers
• Arms-free energy tailgate
• Push-button begin and keyless entry

Octavia RS provides:

• 19-inch ‘Elias’ wheels
• Black exterior highlights
• Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
• Entrance locking differential
• Adjustable sports activities steering
• Adaptive suspension (Dynamic Chassis Management)
• Heated windscreen
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather-based and suede upholstery 
• Heated entrance and rear-outboard seats
• Energy-adjustable entrance seats with therapeutic massage, reminiscence capabilities
• Passenger-side auto-dipping mirror, reminiscence for each side
• Head-up show
• Tri-zone local weather management
• 12-speaker Canton premium sound system
• RS-specific instrument cluster graphics
• Aluminium pedals

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

Is the Skoda Octavia RS protected?

The Skoda Octavia obtained a five-star ANCAP security score in 2022, based mostly on testing performed by Euro NCAP in 2019.

Commonplace security tools on the Octavia consists of:

• Eight airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection entrance and rear
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise management with cease and go (beforehand adaptive solely) 
• Journey Help
• Lane-keep help
• Lane-centring help
• Emergency help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning system
• Driver fatigue monitoring
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Tyre stress monitoring

The Octavia RS provides: 

• Encompass-view digicam
• Clever park help

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How a lot does the Skoda Octavia RS value to run?

Skoda is the one European model to supply a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.

If you happen to finance via Skoda you’ll be able to lock in a Assured Future Worth (GFV) for the automotive prematurely, which means you’ll know what the automotive will likely be value somewhat than rolling the cube on resale.

To see how the Skoda Octavia strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the Skoda Octavia RS

Skoda hasn’t reinvented the wheel with the up to date Octavia RS, but it surely didn’t have to.

The addition of extra energy and customary tools is greater than welcome, particularly contemplating 80 per cent of consumers beforehand opted for the Premium Pack anyway.

Certain, that’s lifted the price of entry, however you’ll be onerous pressed to discover a like-for-like different at this worth level. There’s the WRX Sportswagon, which is a special tackle an identical recipe, or the i30 Sedan N – a less expensive, extra centered efficiency automobile.

On the finish of the day, the Octavia RS is an distinctive package deal with few weaknesses, particularly in wagon kind.

Passenger and cargo capability? Tick. Upmarket inside? Tick. Trendy tech? Tick. A punchy and environment friendly powertrain? You guessed it, one other tick.

It mightn’t be a best-seller, and sure by no means will likely be. Nonetheless, this good-looking hauler deserves to be on extra procuring lists.

Concerned with shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

Click on the pictures for the complete gallery

MORE: Every part Skoda Octavia