Skoda Octavia 2021 review | better than a Mk 8 Golf? | Chasing Cars

We test the new Skoda Octavia 110TSI Ambition hatchback to see how good this family car is.

The 2021 Skoda Octavia Ambition is a great base model. It’s much cheaper than a Volkswagen Golf Mk 8, but it’s got about as much equipment as a mid-spec Golf Life. The new Octavia continues the great Skoda tradition of giving you Volkswagen engineering at a better-value price. But is the base Octavia, the 110TSI Ambition, the best specification? Should you add option packs? Are the upcoming Octavia LE or the sporty Octavia RS better choices?

In today’s video, we test the base model Skoda Octavia Ambition, which costs $32,990 driveaway in Australia.

Rivals to the Skoda Octavia include the Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3 and 6, Kia Cerato, Hyundai i30 and the Subaru Impreza.

What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.

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Time codes:

0:00 - What is the Skoda Octavia Ambition?
1:44 - Interior
6:12 - Back seats
8:26 - Boot
10:15 - Engine, gearbox
13:20 - Running costs
14:30 - Ride and handling
18:11 - Skoda Octavia Ambition expert verdict

[chasingcars]

Is Skoda now more upmarket than Volkswagen?

[kennymostyn]

I picked up an Octavia Limited Edition last Friday. Brilliant car and really happy I bought it.

[kst]

Your presentation has improved so much! It's an absolute joy to watch, keep up the good work!

[coldude]

Physical buttons for A/C controls for sure! It makes no sense to hide them in a screen.

[ComedicInc]

I was legit blown away when you opened the boot and it was a hatch 😍 Absolutely love the convenience of a hatch boot as a pram-dad. I know what car I want most now 😂

[Ospif]

Such good cars for the money. The fact is has the TC box over the DSG is a massive plus as well.

[timmarks]

I test drove one and the infotainment screen for all car controls is a disaster. Put me off instantly. At least Skoda offer other cars with sensible buttons and controls for aircon etc.

[maharajanramanathan]

Great review.
On the confusion between liftback and wagon, I chose the wagon, as you said, wagon looks better comparatively. Definitely the aircon control on the screen is definitely annoying, hope they bring the physical buttons. I had a scenario where my screen did not work, but the aircon setting was set at high, but could not reduce it until I stopped the car.

[jonathandimaggio]

I got mine two weeks ago and honestly cannot believe the car you get for under $35k da. Such amazing value! Great review.

[DukeBen]

Great review John! I think you get so much more for your money in this, than in an SUV at the same price point, in terms of space, quality feel and features. Not to mention the lower centre of gravity and lower weight, which usually result in better driving characteristics too.

Side note: You mention a few "detractors' - detractors are people who disparage something, not negative features in and of themselves. Perhaps "drawbacks" or "flaws" would work better. Cheers.

[traviselliot]

I just signed off on the new Golf Life wagon but gosh it was a hard choice. The new Octavia is a truly beautiful car

[ravingmad]

Finally Octavia gets an electronic handbrake. I've owned an RS previously and why anyone would settle for a small golf hatch over the Octavia lift back is beyond me.

[michaelostrowski]

Mazda 6 fuel consumption (13:30)?
And on a more serious note: Octavias used to be noisier and have less comfortable ride than Golfs. Is it still the case?

[guysolomon]

Did you guys just sense I was looking at this car, and trying to find your review for it the other day and realise you hadn't made one? I feel like $34k for this is incredible value, I've been in one and it just feels so premium for the price.

[garethbishop]

The driveaway price on the Skoda website for the Ambition is $37, 490 now - have they really jacked the price up by $5k after the first batch sold out??

[sheek]

Few questions: MattBrandCars noticed an issue with the Octavia's AM radio that would crackle when driving. Did you manage to test the radio?

What does 'sold out' mean exactly? Does that mean there won't be any further units imported into Australia until neat year's model?

[fabianchow]

Excellent review - just a quick one: @13:32 - yeah not really a Mazda 6 Turbo 🙂

[scotthoward]

Great review. Great looking car. I think Skoda provides great value vehicles.

[yukaisuisse]

Another top quality review! :) keen to hear how road noise in the Octavia compares to a Mazda 3, Golf etc.

[jinujohn]

mate you are doing good mate. you will go a long way for sure.