2024 Skoda Octavia facelift sketches released

• New headlight design
• Petrol, plug-in hybrid and diesel models return
• Full reveal on February 14th 2024

Skoda has just released teaser sketches revealing what to expect from the facelift of the 2024 Skoda Octavia. The Octavia’s makeover has been in the works for some time, but the full reveal will come on February 14th.

The most prominent change is to the Octavia’s headlights, which were partially revealed in a brief teaser trailer at the beginning of the year. The sketches show these in more detail – contrasting with the outgoing car’s thin, straight headlights, the new elements feature an extra kink downwards, flanking a subtly redesigned grille. The headlight signature is now more angular, and Skoda says that the light given off will be sharper, with a slightly blue hue courtesy of crystal-like elements used inside the light clusters.

At the rear, the changes appear more subtle, though it features a slightly different lighting signature, and the bumper seems to be getting a more aggressive, angular shape, with longer reflective strips and a black diffuser-like element at the bottom. The sketches show the car in both hatchback and estate body styles, confirming that both are here to stay, unlike the Volkswagen Passat, which is now only offered as an Estate.

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What do we know so far about the 2024 Skoda Octavia?

Various prototypes for the updated Skoda Octavia were already spotted being tested in 2023 in both hatchback and estate guise. These photos revealed a redesigned lower grille and side air intakes, although the main grille was largely unchanged compared to the outgoing car.

Skoda says the new Octavia will be available in a series of trim levels, including the return of the Sportline and RS models. Expect these to get a sportier body kit and other distinguishing features such as red accents and trim. It’s rumoured that a vRS plug-in hybrid performance model could launch alongside the first vRS version of the Skoda Superb later in 2024.

What will the facelifted Octavia’s interior be like?

The Skoda Octavia shares many of its parts with the Volkswagen Golf, and with that car set to get a facelift in 2024, it’s expected the Octavia will get much of the same technology. The Volkswagen Group has been criticised for its use of fiddly touch-sensitive and touchscreen-based controls, although Skoda has tried to incorporate more physical switchgear in the latest versions of the Superb and Kodiaq. With Skoda appearing to respond to the negative feedback, we can expect a similar amount of physical switchgear for the Octavia facelift.

The outgoing Octavia’s 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is expected to stay with minor tweaks and possible software updates.

Will it be petrol, diesel or electric?

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Like before, there won’t be an electric Octavia this time around, but buyers will still be able to pick from petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options.

The range will likely kick off with the same 108bhp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with or without mild-hybrid assistance and paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. For a little extra power, the 1.5-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol with 148bhp sits above this.

The plug-in hybrid is not expected to get the larger battery offered in the latest plug-in version of the Superb, and will likely instead stick with the same 13kWh that’s currently offered – this gives the Octavia an electric range of up to 34 miles.

While many manufacturers are moving away from diesel power, Skoda will continue to offer diesel versions of the new Octavia, with the 2.0-litre TDI engines set to return – these come in a range of power outputs, with 114bhp, 148bhp and 197bhp versions offered.

How much will the new Skoda Octavia cost?

There’s no word on pricing for the Octavia yet, but we wouldn’t expect an extreme price hike over the outgoing model, given this is just a facelift. Buyers can expect the new Octavia to start from a little over the current car’s £25,965 price tag, with the full launch expected by the beginning of February 2024.

For more Skoda news, read our story on the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq SUV…