2020 Skoda Octavia makes global debut

Skoda's best-seller is bigger than ever before and in its fourth-generation, brings along sharp styling with enhanced practicality.

The 2020 Skoda Octavia has finally made its debut after quite a long teaser campaign and the end result certainly seems to be worth the wait. Though the major changes are visible only at the front & rear of the fourth-gen model, the side profile gets a nip-and-tuck job, courtesy of new 19-inch alloy wheels. Going by the facts on paper, the 2020 Octavia is 19mm (4,689mm) longer & 15mm (1,829mm) wider than the outgoing model. The wheelbase is pegged at 2,686mm. Inside, knee room for rear passengers has grown another 5mm (78mm) and the boot capacity also sees a nominal 10-litre increase (600 litres). The drag coefficient, now at 0.24, has also been reduced to increase fuel-efficiency.

The styling of the 2020 Octavia is in line with all of Skoda's recently-updated models. However, the major shift comes in the form of single-piece LED headlight units replacing the erstwhile 'four-eye' look. The new headlamps, available with the optional Matrix LED tech, do bear an uncanny resemblance to those found on the latest Audi TT! At the back, gone is the earlier Skoda badge in exchange for the new 'SKODA' lettering sprawled across the boot lid. The LED taillamps, similar to those on the Scala, extend on to the boot - a first in the model's history.

The 2020 Octavia's interior is very much inspired by the new VW Golf. The integrated infotainment screen has been replaced by a new tablet-like screen (8.25-inches or 10-inches). With only a handful of buttons set above the central air-con vents, the new centre console looks super minimalistic, courtesy of the new shift-by-wire gear selector (on the automatic variants). The instrument cluster (Virtual Cockpit) also takes the fully-digital route, being offered as a 10.25-inch unit.

The 2020 Octavia will go on sale with a number of engine options to choose from. Apart from the 1.4 TSI plug-in hybrid, the new Octavia will also be available with three petrol (two options will offer mild-hybrid tech as well) & three diesel engine options. You can read all about the 2020 Skoda Octavia's powertrain options here.

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Fourth-gen Skoda Octavia glimpsed in design sketches