Published:
11 September 2020Skoda’s approach to interior design has really come along in leaps and bounds. Where no-nonsense practicality and outright usability have long been the calling cards of the Czech brand’s cabins, the fourth-generation Octavia builds on that by throwing in a healthy extra dose of material flair and technological sophistication.
So the dash-top of our range-topping SE L First Edition test car is partly covered in a smart microsuede material, while soft-touch moulded plastics and part-leather upholstery are used to lift the tactile appeal of the Octavia to impressive heights. Much like its VW Group siblings, the new Octavia employs a decidedly more minimalist interior layout, with the vast majority of controls (such as those for the heating and ventilation, rather annoyingly) now integrated into the 10.0in infotainment touchscreen that protrudes from the central dashboard plateau.
Ostensibly, it really is a smart-looking environment in which to spend time, and a few of our testers even said they preferred the look and general feel of the Octavia’s cabin to that of the latest Audi A3.
As with the Audi, however, there is a sneaking suspicion that some of the Octavia’s previous solidity has been sacrificed in the pursuit of sharper digital screens and more superficially appealing surface treatments. The row of physical shortcut buttons that run beneath the screen feel slightly cheap and flimsy, and a few well-placed pokes and prods will unearth creaks and groans lower in the cabin.
