The Skoda Octavia has been facelifted for the 2017 model year. And this is no mere nip and tuck: the Czech brand has given it an entirely new look for the front end, complete with LED light glitz.
The new twin-headlight design apes that of the larger Superb. The light units have a crystal look, which is super-fancy, and can be equipped with full LED lighting for added Swarovski crystal effect.
Spot the differences? Here’s the new 2017 Skoda Octavia.
And here’s the old 2016 one.
The grille is new and fancier, and the bumper is cleaner. Yes, it gets a chrome strip. It’s been subtly neatened at the rear, and Skoda’s added in some more Simply Clever features within.
You can now have a heated steering wheel on the Octavia, for example. There are folding tables on the front seat backs. Bottle openers that grip bottles so you can open them one-handed. A customisable key that saves each driver’s settings (so if you’re tall, you don’t struggle to get in if your shorter partner’s previously driven it). And, for the estate, the Skoda removable torch makes a comeback.
Infotainment systems are better. All four systems – that’s Swing and Bolero, plus the sat nav-equipped Amundsen and Columbus – have glass capacitive displays that are more responsive to light touches (think smartphone-like). The Columbus’ display is now bigger at 9.2in and you can now get wifi in an Octavia.
You can also have smart safety systems such as autonomous reverse parking if you’re towing a trailer, and a forward assist safety system that predicts what pedestrians might be about to do.
Engines and suspension will remain largely unchanged, as Skoda worked on them a little while back – including the replacement of the 1.2-litre TSI entry-level motor with a smaller but more powerful 1.0-litre TSI.
Sales will begin later this year, for deliveries in early 2017.
