Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI 150 SE L 2017 first drive

Facelifts, of any sort, are rarely successful. Whether it's sagging skin or ageing car design that's being given a refresh, while rolling back the years is clearly the aim, look closer, and you’ll usually find that attempts to smooth things over have only made matters worse.

There may be a few exceptions out there (answers on a postcard please), but to these eyes at least, the new Skoda Octavia isn’t one of them. Its manufacturer says the new look gives the Octavia a greater impression of width, but we’re not convinced. From a distance, it just looks like the LED running lights are broken.

We really shouldn’t moan, though. The new schnoz might be the most noticeable change but it’s far from the most important. More pressing is that the Octavia's track width has been increased at the back to improve stability and more safety kit is available including blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and predictive pedestrian protection. Try saying that last one three times in a hurry.

Inside there’s a new centre console that houses one of two infotainment systems. Even Billy-basic S models get an 8.0in touchscreen that can be optioned with sat-nav (standard on SE Tech and SE L). Opt for posh Laurin & Klement trim and you get a 9.2in screen as standard. 

The Skoda Octavia was always a perfectly pleasant car to drive, and wisely, Skoda hasn’t monkeyed with the formula. Let’s start with the steering, which might not telegraph minute detail to your fingertips, but has spot on weighting and makes placing the nose easy. Likewise, the gearbox may not be a mechanical-feeling delight, but its action is both light and precise.

Adaptive dampers are optional but our test car came with the standard passive units. These seem valved for comfort rather than outright body control, allowing some float over crests. Chuck the Octavia into a corner and you’ll find there’s a fair bit of body roll but also a tonne of grip. It might be safe and secure, but you can still carry plenty of speed cross-country.

The larger-than-standard 18in wheels of our steed certainly help stick it to the road, but there is a penalty. Drive over crumbling roads and the Octavia fidgets and patters. While our experiences of the pre-facelift model suggest smaller rims don’t sort things fully, they do help by a noticeable amount. We’d also like to try the adaptive dampers, as they do help on the Kodiaq.