Not only is the new Skoda Octavia iV based on the same platform as the Golf 8 – it has also inherited Volkswagen's proven plug-in hybrid solutions. We have driven the smallest drive unit – the one that gives a total of 204 HP. If you choose the Octavia iV RS, you get a more powerful drive unit of 245 HP.
Proven hybrid solution
We recognize the hybrid drivetrain from earlier models of Audi and Volkswagen. Today, the battery capacity has been increased to 13 Kwh compared to the previous 8,8. The improvement is a result of changed cell chemistry without it having been necessary to increase the physical dimensions of the battery case. Increased battery capacity gives longer range in electric mode. The new Audi A3 40 TFSI e and Volkswagen Golf 1.4 eHybrid 204 both have the same battery pack as the Octavia. Their stated range is 65 km measured according to WLTP. The figures given for the Octavia are not as clear. The brochure material suggests a range of "more than 50 km (WLTP)". The wording is not crazy, and can be defended with the fact that practical range can vary widely in practice. But one can also suspect that the cautious estimate is due to Skoda not having access to upgraded technology or having to intervene in the software. However, everything suggests that Skoda actually shares the same technology.
look and feel
Octavia has a more conventional and traditional shape than the other models on the same platform. The new front is lower and wider. The lines are sharper – especially in the rear – without raising eyebrows. You sense a car that is practical and unfussy - bordering on the trustworthy. Also inside. Good seats with good lateral support, digital instruments and centrally positioned infotainment system. Like the Enyaq, the dashboard is covered in fabric from the interior. It provides a cozy and homely atmosphere. All handles are where you would expect to find them. The gear lever has been replaced with an electronic switch that works like a PRND automatic gear lever. The infotainment system is functionally "in the middle of the tree". We found the radio and necessary settings easily. The functions of the trip computer are operated from the steering wheel levers. Here, too, I found what I needed. But why does Skoda need to create its own user interfaces? Can't Wolfsburg make one good user interface for all its brands?
On the road
Behind the wheel, I take note of how easy the Octavia is to steer - even on highways. A little too light for my taste. It tightens a little when you select Sport mode, but I still chose to keep Normal mode. I saw no need to choose either Comfort or Eco. The undercarriage is the same as the Golf 8 and can be delivered with an adaptive undercarriage. As expected, the car sits well on the road and swallows bumps perfectly. The soundscape is characterized by rumbling from the road and air whistling. No annoying noises.
Depending on current
There is enough power. But to bring all the horses, there must be power on the batteries. When the petrol engine operates alone, you only experience high engine whirring without any particular boost. At speed, the car automatically switches to neutral when it is not under load. It both increases comfort and saves fuel - something I really like about this drivetrain. But that only happens when you have power on the batteries. Without power, the engine whirs constantly and sends vibrations into the car. Perhaps no worse than a regular petrol car, but certainly a deterioration in perceived comfort.
Self-charging
We set off with an almost empty battery. The car then automatically switches from electric operation to hybrid operation. During calm driving, enough energy was nevertheless regenerated for the electric motor to give boost during acceleration and let the car roll freely when the conditions were right for it. The point is that the car works fine as a self-charging hybrid if you choose not to charge - or don't have the opportunity to do so. On long journeys in hybrid mode, the car will slowly consume the electricity in the batteries, but there will almost always be enough electricity to take advantage of the hybrid drive.
Not suitable for charging along the road
Unfortunately, hybrid cars like this do not have the option of fast charging. If we had chosen to charge the batteries via Type2 cable, we would have had to wait for over 3 hours. The charging speed is limited to 3,6 kw. This not only makes it inappropriate to charge along the road – it also makes it disproportionately expensive. Hybrid cars must not be charged en route. Charging is done either at home or at the workplace. With a normal socket, you can charge with 2,3 kw. It then takes 5 hours to fully charge.
Battery for work – petrol for the cabin
Acceleration with proper boost and better comfort at speed is hardly a good enough reason to justify the additional price for a plug-in hybrid. You will only get the big benefits if you can make daily trips in e-mode. Most people actually can, but it depends on your charging capabilities. A private wall charger is the best, but with 2,3 kw charging current it works fine on its own 16A course. The advantage of being able to drive on electricity is not just about money, but also about comfort. Most people who have a hybrid car prefer to drive in e-mode.
Practical consumption
The fuel consumption measured according to WLTP does not correspond to reality, as most of the test is run on the battery. Our consumption over 93 km on country roads gave 0,45 liters per mile. It is completely realistic what you will get on a long drive - for example to the cabin in the mountains. If we had pre-charged for our trip, we could have driven in e-mode half way. With the hybrid on trips, I usually drive in hybrid mode and switch to pure electric mode for the last few kilometers on the way home to run the battery flat and connect it to electricity at home in the garage.
Practical range
We have not been able to drive a fully charged battery in e-mode and therefore have to base ourselves on the predecessor's, which had a range of 50 km. Daily driving along the Store ringvei in Oslo then gave us real ranges of between 30 and 40 km. Under optimal conditions we could get up to 45 km. If you add a few extra km for Octavia's upgraded battery pack, the expected practical range could be between 40-50 km.
Regenerative braking
There are many factors which mean that the practical range varies a lot. An important reason is how regenerative braking is implemented and used. On the gear lever, you can switch between "D" and "S". "S" is for Sport, but when you lift up the gas, regenerative braking - or artificial engine braking as it is also called - is activated. Skoda has created 3 optional solutions. "Strong" or "Weak" braking mode - or "Normal". The car then finds a braking pattern in relation to the car's movement, what it sees on the camera and interpretation of the road map - a link towards self-driving cars. Sometimes it worked perfectly, other times poorly. I felt it ruined the flow of driving, especially down roads with poor road markings and towards temporary roundabouts. I find weak, constant regenerative braking worked best.
Powerful assistant systems
"Our" car had several driver assistance systems. Travel assist takes over the steering if you are reckless and cut corners through an S-bend. Adaptive lane assist ensures that you don't leave your lane without blinking. When you drive on a poorly marked road, the car's computer gets confused but still scares you with a loud "pling" that you have to lie down in the middle of the lane. Taste and comfort. I usually disable such functions myself. Fortunately, Skoda does not make self-driving cars.
Place
The Golf platform gets bigger with each generation. Generation 8 has a wheelbase like a full-fledged family car. The space between the rows of seats is good. The boot space on plug-in hybrids is 150 liters smaller than other variants, more precisely 490 liters - or 1550 liters with the rear seats folded down. It is on a par with the Audi A4 station wagon. The hybrid solution steals space in height. There is a small compartment under the floor just inside the back door for small items. It is possible to fit a trailer coupling and you can tow a trailer up to 1500 kg.
Security
The Skoda Octavia was tested by Euro Ncap in 2019. They then tested a 1.5 TSI station wagon. It has no hybrid batteries. The result was 5/5 stars, 92% for adults and 88% for children. The biggest injuries were suffered by rear-seat passengers on the right side in a frontal collision, and the driver in a side collision with a pole. Both suffered chest injuries equivalent to "marginal". In comparison, the Volkswagen Golf 8 scored 95% for adults and 89% for children when it was tested in 2019. Here, too, rear-seat passengers on the right suffered the most damage in frontal collisions. Another "stablemate", the Audi A3, was tested in 2020 and scored 89% for adults and 81% for children. Here, children on the right side in the back seat suffered injuries. Euro/Ncap has also assessed and tested standard assistance systems.
Read the entire test from Euro/Ncap here
Conclusion
Last year at the same time, the Skoda Octavia was on the sales lists as the 7th most popular car model in Norway. After that, sales plummeted. The Volkswagen Group's first plug-in hybrid solution received a lot of attention when it was launched in 2014. Since then, it has been gradually improved, both in terms of quality and performance - and is now also in the Octavia iV station wagon. Skoda's strength is that it is the only station wagon with this drivetrain.
– The family option
Facts Skoda Octavia iV
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 469 x 183 x 147 cm
Wheelbase: 268 cm
Net weight: 1545 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 1500 kg
- without brakes: 750 kg
Luggage compartment: 490 litres
Petrol tank: 40 litres
Roof load: 75 kg
Drivetrain
1,4 TSI 150 HP
Electric motor 109 HP
Total power: 204 HP
Battery pack: LC Chem with thermal management.
Gross battery capacity: 13 kwh
- net that can be used: 10,4 kwh
Engine: Front mounted
Gearbox: 6-speed DSG
Front wheel drive
Performances
Top speed: 220 km/h
0-100: 7,8 seconds
Consumption:
WLTP mixed driving: 0,10 litres/mile
Measured with low battery power: 0,45 litres/mile (road driving)
Range
WLTP: "More than 50 km" according to Skoda
Real range: 40 – 50 km
charging
Via house socket 2,3 Kw: 5 hours
Via Type2 cable 3,6 K: 3,5 hours
Tires
Size: 225/45R18 91Y
Type: Summer
Brand: Goodyear Eagle F1
Price
Skoda Octavia iV Style: 456 100
Quartz Gray Metallic: 6
Leather/artificial leather: 9
Sound System: 7 (should be considered)
DCC Adaptive suspension: 10 (should be considered)
About the car
Place of production: Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
Owner: Hire
Rented via the Hyre app
Model: 2021
Mileage: New
Km driven: 93
Source: skoda.no, vegvesen.no