2021 Skoda Octavia pricing and specs: Toyota Camry and Mazda 6 rival steps up tech game

Skoda’s new-generation Octavia mid-sizer will finally hit Australian showrooms in late April, nearly 18 months after it was first revealed, with price rises and more tech across the range.

However, the Czech brand says there is more value in the 2021 Octavia despite the increased cost, with the opening car – the 110TSI Ambition sedan – now positioned at $30,390 before on-road costs.

Though the new car represents a jump of $5500 over the outgoing base six-speed manual 110TSI grade, the former is now an automatic transmission-exclusive proposition, meaning the difference in cost is only $3000.

The 110TSI Style sedan is also available for $34,890, while the top-tier RS four-door is priced at $47,790.

All three grades are also available as more practical five-door wagons, adding $1300 to the asking price.

The manual gearbox isn’t the only thing the 110TSI Octavia will lose in the jump to new-generation form, as the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) is now replaced with an eight-speed torque converter auto.

The engine, however, remains the same, with the 110TSI utilising a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder petrol engine for 110kW/250Nm that drives the front wheels.

Stepping up to the top-dog RS variant will net buyers a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which produces 180kW/370Nm (matching the outgoing RS 245), and sends drive to the front axle via a seven-speed wet-dual-clutch auto.

Standard equipment in the Ambition grade includes silver 18-inch wheels, flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters, rear privacy glass, LED headlights, interior ambient lighting, electronically adjustable side mirrors, all-digital instrumentation, electronic tailgate, push-button start, driver’s door umbrella and automatic wipers.

Wagon body styles score a roof-mounted spoiler.

For multimedia, the new Octavia is fitted with a 10.0-inch ‘Bolero’ touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, two USB Type-C ports, Bluetooth functionality and eight speakers.

In terms of safety, the Ambition is fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, eight airbags, and rear parking sensors.

Style variants gain grey-coloured wheels, heated side mirrors, full matrix LED headlights, satellite navigation, keyless locking and front fog lights.

As the most potent in the Octavia line-up for now, the RS is fitted with 19-inch wheels, red brake callipers, blacked-out exterior detailing, 15mm-lower suspension, Alcantara door trim, carbon-like dashboard, RS sports seats finished in leather/fabric, digital radio, sports display, front parking sensors, progressive steering, 10 airbags and lane-change assist.

Buyers of the 110TSI Style can also opt for the Tech pack ($3200) or Luxury pack ($5800), or both for $7800.

The Tech pack adds adaptive chassis control, head-up display, 12-speaker sound system, tri-zone climate control and digital radio, while the Luxury pack bundles leather interior, blind-spot monitoring, heated front and rear seats, rear cross-traffic alert and rear sunblinds.

As for the RS, only one bundle is available, the Premium back for $6500 that includes adaptive chassis control, head-up display, 12-speaker sound system, heated front and rear seats, massaging driver’s seat, drive mode select and tri-zone climate control.

Other options include a sunroof ($1900 for the wagon only), towbar ($2100), metallic paint ($770) and premium velvet red paint ($1100).

Like all new Skodas, the Octavia comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, while service packs are available in three-year/45,000km or five-year/75,000km blocks, available for $800 and $1400 respectively.

2021 Skoda Octavia pricing before on-road costs