Skoda combines sleek looks with lashings of luxury, strong 2.0-litre turbo engine performance and family-friendly versatility in the Octavia LE wagon
First things first. If you think you’re getting on the “I loved it before it was cool” bandwagon, you’re too late. Skoda sales in Australia have been on the rise for some time now, with record numbers in 2021 amid supply shortages. And despite Australia’s penchant for high-riding SUVs, this is our chance to talk up the wagon life. Big time. The mid-size Skoda Octavia is available in liftback sedan or wagon body style, starting from $33,890 plus on-road costs and topping out at $51,590 plus ORCs. It’s the not-so-humble wagon that we’re testing here, in luxurious 140TSI 2.0-litre turbo form, which continues to impress among a relentless onslaught of SUVs.
Surprise package
The 2022 Skoda Octavia wagon is priced from $35,190 plus on road costs for the entry-level Ambition, rising to $39,290 for the Style, $48,090 for the Limited Edition on test and $51,590 for the performance flagship RS.
Although it’s badged ‘Limited Edition’, the 140TSI engine in the LE will continue in the fourth-generation Octavia range for some time, marking an important point of difference between the 110TSI Ambition and Style and the top-shelf Octavia RS.
All of them carry familiar Volkswagen Group turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines – a 1.4-litre (110kW/250Nm) paired to an eight-speed automatic on Ambition and Style, graduating to a 2.0-litre with seven-speed dual-clutch auto on the Limited Edition (140kW/320Nm) and higher-performance RS (180kW/370Nm).
All send their power to the front wheels.
Positioned as the luxury model in the Octavia range, the Limited Edition features front and rear LEDs and LED daytime running lights, lots of chrome detailing, silver roof rails, privacy glass and 19-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Our test vehicle was also optioned with Brilliant Silver metallic paint at $770. Other available options include a sunroof ($1900) and tow bar ($2100).
The sleek interior of the LE feels high-end with clever use of materials and a functional design that simply works.
There’s plenty of space for phones and oddment storage, along with two cup holders and a lidded arm rest. Ergonomically, everything feels like it’s in its place.
Slip in behind the flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, settle into your leather heated and ventilated electric-adjust seats with massage function and soak up the Euro-inspired ambience courtesy of the VW Group family from which the Octavia finds its form.
The Octavia is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
A fixed-price service plan will see you outlay $1550 over a five-year period.
Smart safety
The 2022 Skoda Octavia Limited Edition wagon has a lengthy safety and technology list and it’s presented in a duly understated way.
Not surprisingly, it’s similar to what we see in Audi and Volkswagen vehicles these days. It’s presented as sleek and modern and a 10-inch colour touch-screen is at the heart of the Octavia’s in-car technology.
There are a few buttons to shortcut that process, but you cannot avoid some touch-screen action – bad news for those who remain averse to pinch and swipe, and presumptuous gesture control.
Keyless entry and push-button start, electric park brake, wireless phone charging, LED interior ambient lighting and tri-zone climate control are also standard at this level.
The climate control offers a clever array of options, but quickly controlling your fan speed is not one of them – even the ‘clima’ shortcut button still requires some further drilling down on-screen.
The infotainment checklist includes AM/FM/DAB radio with eight-speaker sound system, satellite navigation, Bluetooth with voice control, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Frustratingly, our test vehicle did experience screen glitches – on multiple occasions the reversing camera simply did not engage and other times the screen itself was painfully slow to respond to any command.
The virtual cockpit is another thoroughly modern touch and offers a variety of customisable driver information. It’s large and easy to read. A head-up display is also standard on the Limited Edition.
Safety and driver assist technology is excellent, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, attention monitoring, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
A 360-degree camera feels like the only thing missing from this line-up.
Pitch-perfect performance
The 2.0-litre engine in the 2022 Skoda Octavia Limited Edition is the same turbo-petrol unit you’ll find in the Octavia RS, but in a detuned form, delivering 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque – down 40kW and 50Nm.
The sleek Octavia wagon weighs in at 1435kg and will move from 0-100km/h in 7.4sec. Not bad at all.
The Octavia LE wagon looks and feels high-end and is rewarding to drive, too.
Plant your foot and the front-drive Octavia is quick to action. The turbo response is great and quickly shuffles through the seven-speed DSG, and it’s fast to drop a gear or two under hard acceleration.
All the while, the Octavia feels composed and sophisticated. It’s a quiet drive and well-insulated cabin, with little road or engine noise to speak of.
Claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption is 6.2L/100km, with 8.0L/100km for city-based runs and 5.2L/100km for highway duties. During our time behind the wheel, we recorded a 6.4L/100km average – mighty close to the claimed figure.
The Octavia is capable of towing 1600kg (braked) and those roof rails will take a 75kg load.
My advice is to never, ever drive the RS and you’ll remain blissfully ignorant of what that extra power feels like and be thoroughly happy with the performance from the Octavia Limited Edition wagon – it’s a ripper.
Cruising comfort
A comfortable and compliant ride is what defines the on-road manners of the 2022 Skoda Octavia Limited Edition, but there’s an unexpected level of dynamism that makes it a whole lot of fun, too.
The steering is crisp and offers great feedback. And on the go, the Octavia feels smaller and more nimble than its considerable proportions should allow.
Suspension set-up sees MacPherson struts in the front and multi-link in the rear with a torsion stabiliser that delivers a flat and stiff chassis. The ride leans on the firmer side, but it’s certainly not uncomfortable or harsh.
Disc brakes all round quickly bring the Octavia to standstill.
A large glasshouse provides good outward vision from the driver’s seat and, notwithstanding the camera glitches already mentioned, parking and manoeuvring the Octavia is generally a breeze.
Second-row occupants will enjoy both comfort and space – so much space. Larger occupants will be happy with generous headroom, in particular.
Amenity is good for those rear passengers, including climate control with two directional air vents, heated outboard seats, seatback pockets, retractable window blinds, two USB-C charge outlets and an arm rest with cup holders.
The head restraints have clever fold-down sides to support a sleepy head – ideal for road trips – while ISOFIX positions and three top tether anchor points have your child seat needs covered.
It is, however, the Octavia wagon’s voluminous and versatile load space that best equips it against its many SUV rivals. And Skoda is the undisputed king of clever storage.
The electric-operated tailgate reveals a 640-litre boot that expands to 1700L with the second row of seats folded flat. There are multiple bag hooks, storage nets, anchor points, a rubber boot insert for ease of cleaning, tie-down straps, two lights and a 12-volt outlet.
A space-saver spare tyre lies beneath the boot floor.
Hanging in there
The 2022 Skoda Octavia wagon is powering along in the uphill battle to remain relevant to modern family buyers.
In its fourth-generation guise, the Skoda Octavia wagon builds on its value-for-money proposition, which has always been a strength for the often-overlooked Czech car-maker.
Versatile, dynamically rewarding and family-friendly in high-grade Limited Edition form, you will be hard-pressed to find a better choice at this price point.
Do not let its old-school wagon dimensions fool you. The Skoda Octavia LE wagon is a luxury all-rounder that will not disappoint.
How much does the 2022 Skoda Octavia 140TSI Limited Edition wagon cost?Price: $48,090 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 140kW/320NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 143g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
Keyword: Skoda Octavia 140TSI Wagon 2022 Review