Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia is most recognizable for its face, and Skoda has swapped the split headlights for single-piece rectangular ones with LED lights and DRLs in current iteration. The form of the lights is now very similar across the Skoda range, paying homage to the Czech glass industry.

While the front of the car has grown larger, these lines have become softer, giving the Skoda an even larger appearance than before. The trademark Skoda grille has been softened and looks more luxurious as a result of the massive chrome surround.

When you look at this Gen-4 Octavia in profile, you notice a restrained European delicacy. The previous car's forward-leaning posture and flared wheel arches have been toned down, yet they remain and provide appropriate sportiness to the overall design.

Because this is the more expensive L&K trim, you get badging on the side and these extremely busy-looking 17-inch wheels that Skoda has called Pulsar black and reserved only for this L&K trim.

While the side and face have undergone significant alterations, the rear has clearly progressed from the previous generation, becoming larger and rounder but with less drama.

The Skoda Octavia is supported by McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear. It has disc brakes on all four wheels, and the car we tested was an L&K model with 18-inch wheels.

The Octavia rides quite well, absorbing many of the bumps and flaws on our route with a surprising ease for a car of its size. Only when things are truly bad do you become more cautious, but even then the automobile calms fast.

At high speeds, the automobile performed admirably, even across the greater undulations.

The steering lacks sensation in the dead-ahead position but becomes more progressive as you accelerate. It is pretty precise, although we would have preferred greater steering feel for a more involved driving experience.

Finally, even with regular usage, the disc brakes all around provide fairly decent stopping force. According to our test results, it came to a stop from 100kmph in 3.39 seconds and 42 metres.

When the Skoda Octavia was crash-tested in 2019, Euro NCAP awarded it a maximum five-star certification, with exceptional 92% marks for adult occupants and 88% for youngsters.

The Skoda Octavia has a lot of driver-assist technology, but regrettably, very little of it comes standard. Blind spot detection, for example, was standard on the SE L First Edition but is an expensive option on the SE L (and isn't even accessible on the SE). Only the hot vRS model has Travel Assist (with traffic sign recognition, adaptive lane help, predictive adaptive cruise, traffic jam assist, and - on DSG versions - emergency assist).

The Skoda Octavia has been on the Indian automotive market for two decades, which is a lengthy period for any vehicle. However, the world that the original India-spec Octavia came into is considerably different from the one that the current Octavia has been born into. This fourth-generation vehicle must compete for market share with a slew of fast-selling SUVs.

On the negative, it does not have a diesel option, does not have a sunroof, and may benefit from extra amenities for the back passengers. However, it is also quick, comfortable, amply filled with equipment and will always stick out owing to it being a sedan among a crop of SUVs.

At the time of writing, the Octavia range was priced between Rs 27 lakh and Rs 30.44 lakh.