Skoda Octavia Estate review – the class leader for practicality

Verdict – is the Skoda Octavia Estate a good car?

The Skoda Octavia is already a particularly practical car for its class, and the Estate version takes things up a notch with its huge boot, fulfilling its key selling point over the standard model very successfully. It’s offered with plenty of efficient and peppy engines, though to drive, rivals such as the Ford Focus Estate are more engaging if that matters to you. Rivals also offer more attractive warranties and prices of the Octavia Estate have crept up over the generations, so it’s no longer the budget choice.

Skoda Octavia Estate models, specs and alternatives

If you need a big, practical family car then the Skoda Octavia Estate should be on your shortlist. It’s long been one of the best options in this market sector, whether you appreciate space, value for money or even a good driving experience. This new version still lives up to that reputation despite competition from the excellent Ford Focus Estate, SEAT Leon Estate, and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate. The Octavia Estate saw off all of those rivals to win the Best Estate Car award in the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2024, and the year before that.

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The Skoda Octavia Estate was facelifted for the 2024 model year bringing a refreshed new look and some extra kit as standard. It gets new matrix-LED headlights with revised daytime-running lights, a tweaked front bumper with a less fussy design and new tail-lights, alloy wheel and colour options.

Like previous generations of the Octavia, it uses parts shared with the Volkswagen Golf, but like many Skoda products, the Octavia and the Octavia Estate aim to offer the practicality and proportions of cars from the class above at a more affordable price. 

It’s packed with technology too, including a sharp and easy-to-use infotainment screen on the dash that houses the sat-nav, smartphone link software and other useful features. Top models also get a fully-digital instrument cluster that can be configured to display full-screen maps. Small touches such as ambient lighting and soft-touch materials mean the Octavia’s cabin feels upmarket and more like something you’d expect to find in a Volkswagen, or perhaps even an Audi.

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The Octavia has always been a class-leader when it comes to boot space and this new Estate model is actually even bigger than before (by 30 litres) at 640 litres with the seats in place. The plug-in hybrid models are a bit smaller inside at 490 litres, however, due to the need to carry a battery pack. There’s lots of room in the cabin for people and plenty of storage cubbies, though, so all versions are great for family life.

Since the facelift, the Octavia Estate’s engine range has changed slightly. The lineup starts with a four-cylinder 1.5-litre engine, with Skoda having dropped the previous entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit. With 114bhp, it’s a little more powerful than the old 1.0-litre unit, but there’s also a 148bhp version of the same 1.5-litre engine sitting above it. Both of these come as standard with a six-speed manual, or they can be optioned with a seven-speed automatic – go for the auto and you even get mild-hybrid assistance.

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Fans of diesel will be happy to know that this is still an option post-facelift, with 114bhp and 148bhp versions of the 2.0-litre engine available. The lesser-powered of the two comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful one gets a seven-speed automatic.

With adaptive suspension fitted the Octavia soaks up the bumps of UK road surfaces with aplomb, and is best left in Normal mode, where the Octavia is both relaxing and composed to drive. While its chassis rightly prioritises refinement and comfort, with some body lean in corners as a result, it offers plenty of grip, light steering and respectable driving dynamics.