Used Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2013-2020 review

What's the used Skoda Octavia like?

The Skoda Octavia is the brand's best-selling model worldwide. With great popularity comes great responsibility, of course, so when this third-generation model was introduced in 2013, its push slightly upmarket was seen as a bit of a gamble.

It soon paid off, though, with healthy sales and a rapid rise in the Octavia's reputation as a sensible, practical family hatchback that can hold its own against premium rivals such as the Audi A3 and VW Golf. Indeed it was so successful it lasted right the way through – with the help of one facelift in 2017 – until 2020 when it was replaced by a larger and all-new fourth-generation version.

Overview

The Skoda Octavia is one of the best used family cars you can buy, being affordable, comfortable and spacious. It also has a very good reliability record.

Pros

• Smart, spacious and practical interior
• Cheap to buy and run
• Good reliability record

Cons

• Not as comfortable as a Golf
• Entry-level S trim is a bit basic

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Skoda OCTAVIA

2.0 TDI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,750

Skoda Octavia

1.5 TSI ACT SE Technology Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Skoda OCTAVIA

2.0 TDI SE First Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,999

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI SE Technology Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Skoda Octavia

1.5 TSI ACT SE L Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,795

Skoda OCTAVIA

2.0 TDI SE L First Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,499

Skoda OCTAVIA

1.4 TSI iV 13kWh SE Technology DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,695

Skoda Octavia

1.4 TSI iV 13kWh SE Technology DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,700

Skoda Octavia

1.0 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE First Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

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Engines and performance: The Octavia features a range of familiar Volkswagen Group engines. These include a 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol, a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol (later replaced with a 1.5-litre), a 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel and a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. More explosive Skoda Octavia vRS versions are also available, in either petrol or diesel form.

All of the engine options deliver adequate performance and are capable of 0-62mph in less than 10 seconds, although the larger units are more flexible and better-suited to motorway cruising and cross-country driving.

That aforementioned facelift in 2017 brought a more distinctive nose with quad headlights, though there were few other design changes. More equipment was added to each model, though, while the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol turbos were replaced by 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre engines respectively.

Ride and handling: The Octavia's ride isn't quite as smooth as that of the Golf, but it's still very comfortable, and heaps better than many rivals'.

And while it's no sports car, it nevertheless handles very tidily; responsive steering and well set-up suspension mean the Octavia changes direction fast and always feels composed, and there's more than enough grip on offer too.

Interior and practicality: The interior falls short of being truly premium (perhaps unsurprisingly, given it doesn't bare a truly premium badge), but it's a step above most mainstream rivals, such as the Seat Leon. There are plenty of soft-touch materials and the switchgear feels relatively classy.

While the Octavia shares a platform with its Volkswagen Group siblings, it has been lengthened to provide superior interior and boot space. Indeed, there’s very little to touch it in the space and practicality department; there’s plenty of head and leg room inside and a huge boot that offers more than enough luggage room for a family.

Trims and equipment: There’s a choice of models, too, ranging from the entry-level S up to the posh Laurin & Klement, which comes kitted up to the hilt. In between, you'll find SE, SE Technology and SE L are the most popular versions; the former gets dual-zone climate control and front fog lights as standard, while SE Technology adds an upgraded touchscreen sat nav and, in later cars, automatic emergency braking. SE L, meanwhile, adds snazzier Alcantara seat trim and privacy glass.

"At this price point, I struggle to find anything that can faze the Octavia's high level of practicality and comfort. It's the ultimate all-rounder." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor

Interested in buying a used Skoda Octavia? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Ownership cost

What used Skoda Octavia will I get for my budget?

You can buy a used Skoda Octavia for around £2500 if you don't mind astronomical mileage and/or previous damage. However, we recommend a budget of around £7000 to start off with, that way you'll have a choice of a few respectable examples. It'll likely be 2017/2018 model in the popular SE, SE Technology or SE L trims.

Later models, from the 2017 facelift up until 2020, go from around £7000 to £11,000, depending on your desired specification.

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Our recommendations

Which used Skoda Octavia should I buy?

Engine

If you can stretch to one of the newer, 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre engined cars, we reckon these are the best balance of punch and fuel economy. However, they're still rare and relatively pricey, so for most budgets, the older 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre engines will do just fine. The latter is our favourite, as it was far more popular when new and so is now easier to find on the used market; what's more, it offers a great balance of efficiency, performance and smoothness. If you do enough miles to require the fuel efficiency of a diesel, the 2.0 is the one to have, as it's smoother and punchier than the 1.6.

Specification

Almost any version of the Octavia will be satisfying to own, but we like the SE best of all. Mind you, if you're flush with cash and buying a later model, an upgrade to the SE Technology version isn't such a bad idea.

Our favourite Skoda Octavia: 1.5 TSI 150 SE

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Skoda Octavia?

Cheaper Octavias find themselves up against the Vauxhall Astra, a ubiquitous but pleasant hatch that’s good to drive and comes with a practical interior. Entry-level versions can be a bit sparse and the diesel engines can be gruff. On top of that, the low-speed ride is a little firm.

The Ford Focus is great to drive, with a smooth and quiet Ecoboost engine in some versions and low running costs. Some of its rivals are cheaper to buy, however, and the Octavia offers more space and more kit, and also feels better-made.

The VW Golf shares its underpinnings with the Octavia, despite being a shorter and less capacious car. It’s brilliant to drive, well equipped, refined and comparatively cheap to run. On the other hand, it’s not as roomy inside as the Octavia and the interior is a little dreary.

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If you'd like to buy a used Skoda Octavia, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our Used Cars For Sale pages