Skoda Octavia RS 2021 review

The Skoda Octavia RS has built such a strong reputation among "those in the know" as many entire car brands wish they could fake them among customers.

And when the all-new Skoda Octavia RS arrives, you can bet there will be an influx of existing customers weighing whether they should keep their old car or trade in for a new one.

I can say with confidence to these buyers - and any potential new buyers in the sports sedan or station wagon market that boasts European design and styling, tons of technology, and a fun and fast driving experience - you should buy one of these. Read on to find out why I consider this machine one of the best new machines of 2021.

Oh, and for the record, we know that in Europe it's called vRS, and the icons here say vRS, but Australians think the "v" is not used. Why? Nobody knows.

Skoda Octavia 2021: RS
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	6.8l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$39,600

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

The 2021 Skoda Octavia lineup is led by the RS model, which is available as a liftback sedan (MSRP $47,790 plus travel expenses) or station wagon (MSRP $49,090).

Do you want to know about the prices for departure? The sedan is priced at $51,490 and the wagon is $52,990.

There are other models in the 2021 Octavia lineup, and you can read all about pricing and class-specific specs here, but just know: The RS model doesn't just appeal to the premium class because it has a more powerful engine; it's also really well equipped.

All Octavia RS models have a host of standard features, including full-matrix LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights with sequential indicators, 19-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, rear spoiler, black exterior package, black badging and lowered suspension.

Inside, leather and fabric upholstery, sport seats, a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, digital radio and smartphone mirroring, five Type-C USB ports, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit driver information screen, and all RS versions. there's keyless entry, push-button start, front and rear parking sensors, and a host of other safety features on top of that - more on that in the safety section below.

The 10.0-inch touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (wagon version in the photo)

If you want a little more, there's the RS Premium Pack, which costs $6500 and adds adaptive chassis control, power front seat adjustment, heated front and rear seats, driver's seat massage function, head-up display, semi-automatic park assist. three-zone climate control, and rear sunblinds - even in sedans.

Opt for a station wagon and there's an optional panoramic sunroof that adds $1900 to the price.

The station wagon can be with a panoramic sunroof. (wagon version in the photo)

A range of colors are also available: Steel Gray is the only free option, while metallic color options ($770) include Moonlight White, Racing Blue, Quartz Gray, and Shiny Silver, while Magic Black Pearl Effect is also $770. Velvet Red premium paint (seen on the station wagon in these images) costs $1100.

In general, you can see a road price of around sixty thousand if you choose your van to the end. But is it worth it? You bet.

Considering mid-sized competitors? Choices include Hyundai Sonata N-Line sedan (price to be confirmed), Subaru WRX sedan ($40,990 to $50,590), Mazda 6 sedan and wagon ($34,590 to $51,390, but not a direct competitor to the Octavia RS) and VW Passat 206TSI. R-Line ($63,790XNUMX). 

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

There have been many changes - it's a completely new car (except for the powertrain, which is discussed in more detail below), and as a result it looks completely new both inside and out.

The Skoda Octavia RS has a bit of an odd history when it comes to its looks. The first had a sharp, bowed front end, but the facelift changed that. The latest generation had a great look since launch, but the facelift ruined it.

This new generation Octavia RS features a completely new design that is more angular, sportier and more powerful than ever.

The front end is nowhere near as busy in terms of design this time around - the bold black grille and air intake trim and crisp LED headlights look sharp and smart, and they're a lot less fussy than before, although the angular lines that run up from the bumper to taillights may take some time to get used to.

The choice of liftback or wagon may not matter to you, but they both look great in profile (sedan/liftback might look better!), with really good proportions and some strong character lines that create a muscular posture. Some of our team think the wheels look a bit boring (especially compared to the amazing rims on the previous RS245), but I love them.

The rear of the liftback model is less distinctive than you might hope, with a familiar look we've seen from other brands - this is mostly down to the taillight design, which is similar to the wagon model. However, the station wagon is easier to identify - and not only because of this fashionable lettering on the tailgate. 

The interior design has also changed significantly - it's a more modern interior with a pair of huge screens, a new steering wheel, updated trim and the still smart Skoda elements you'd expect. 

The interior of the Octavia RS is significantly different from previous models. (wagon version in the photo)

This car is larger than before, now its length is 4702 mm (13 mm more), the wheelbase is 2686 mm, and the width is 1829 mm, and the height is 1457 mm. For drivers, the track width has been increased at the front (1541 mm, up from 1535 mm) and rear (1550 mm, up from 1506 mm), which corresponds to more stable cornering.

Does this size make it more practical? 

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

The interior of the Skoda Octavia RS is significantly different from the models that came before it - now it seems to go its own line, and not follow the VW products, as it seemed in the latest models.

As such, it feels more technologically advanced and high-tech than one might expect, and admittedly, some customers may not like the way everything has been redesigned inside the car. But hey, you still have an umbrella in the driver's door, so don't whine too much.

This is because there is a large 10.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system that not only controls your AM/FM/DAB radio, Bluetooth phone and audio, and wireless or wired USB Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but is also an interface with the ventilation and air conditioning system.

So, instead of having separate knobs and dials to control air conditioning, heating, recirculation, etc., you have to control them through the screen. I hated it in cars I've tried it in before and it's still not my favorite air control.

The air conditioning system has a "modern" way to regulate the temperature. (wagon version in the photo)

At the very least, there is a section at the bottom of the screen with a home key to quickly adjust the temperature (and seat heating, if installed), but you still need to go into the Clima menu to adjust the fan settings while as there is a tablet-like drop-down list at the top of the screen that allows you to quickly switch to air recirculation (however, not as fast as pressing a single button!).

The air conditioning system also has a "modern" way of adjusting the temperature, like "cool hands" or "warm feet", which I find lame. Fortunately, there are classic controls with regular icons.

What's unusual is the volume control, which is not a knob, but a touch-sensitive slider. It took me about two seconds to get used to and it's not overly sensitive. These touch controls are also included if you opt for a sunroof in the van.

Then there's the Virtual Cockpit digital screen, which is customizable to a degree and allows you to easily access clear gauges via steering wheel controls (which are new and different and take a little getting used to). Premium Pack models also feature a head-up display (HUD), which simply means you need to take your eyes off the road less.

The Octavia RS comes with a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit for the driver.

The dashboard design is neat, the materials are high quality, and the storage options are mostly very good too. There are large door pockets for bottles and other loose items (and you get those smart little Skoda trash cans, too), as well as a large storage compartment in front of the gear selector with a cordless phone charger. There are cupholders between the seats, but they're not great for large drinks, and the covered basket on the center console isn't big either.

There are also large door pockets on the back, map pockets on the seatbacks, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders (again, not massive). 

There is enough space in the second row for a person of my height (182 cm / 6'0") to sit in their own seat behind the wheel, but for those who are taller, it may feel too cramped. The front sport seats are big and a bit bulky, so they eat up rear space a bit. However, I had enough room for my knees, toes and head (but the panoramic sunroof eats up some headroom).

If your passengers are smaller, there are two ISOFIX anchor points and three top tether child seat anchor points. And amenities are good too, with directional rear seat vents and rear USB-C ports (x2), plus if you get the Premium package, you get rear seat heating and climate control for the back, too.

Trunk capacity is excellent for luggage space, with the liftback sedan model offering 600 liters of cargo capacity, rising to 640 liters in the station wagon. Fold down the rear seats using levers at the back and you get up to 1555 liters in the sedan and 1700 liters in the wagon. Huge! Plus, there's all of Skoda's nets and mesh holsters, a smart multi-stage cargo cover, side storage bins, a reversible mat (perfect for dirty clothes or wet dogs!) and there's a compact spare tire under the trunk floor. OK.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

If you're thinking about buying an RS model, you probably know that this is the most powerful Octavia in the lineup.

The Octavia RS is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing 180 kW (at 6500 rpm) and 370 Nm of torque (from 1600 to 4300 rpm). This time around, the Octavia RS is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (it's a DQ381 wet-clutch), and in Australia it's only sold with 2WD/FWD front-wheel drive. There is no all-wheel drive version here.

I wonder if there was a power surge? Well, the engine specs don't lie. This new model has the same power and torque figures as the previous one, and the 0-100 km/h acceleration time is also identical: 6.7 seconds.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo engine delivers 180 kW/370 Nm.

Of course, this is not such a powerful hero as the VW Golf R, but perhaps he does not try to be one. 

Other markets are getting a diesel version of the RS, not to mention a plug-in hybrid/PHEV version. But there is no version with an EV button, and Australians can apparently thank our politicians for that.

Interested in towing capacity? You can choose from a factory/dealer tow hitch kit that provides up to 750kg of towing capacity for an unbraked trailer and 1600kg for a braked trailer (note, however, that the towball weight limit is 80kg).

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

The official combined fuel consumption figure for the Octavia RS sedan and station wagon is 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers.

RS requires 95 octane fuel. (wagon variant pictured)

It's ambitious and assumes you won't drive it the way it wants to. So during our time with the sedan and wagon, we saw an average return of 9.3L/100km at the pump.

The capacity of the fuel tank is 50 liters.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10

When it comes to the Skoda Octavia RS safety kit, there's not much to ask for.

It received the maximum five-star Euro NCAP/ANCAP crash test rating in 2019 and has Autonomous Day/Night Emergency Braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection that operates from 5 km/h to 80 km/h and also high-speed AEB for vehicle detection (from 5 km/h to 250 km/h), as well as lane keeping assist, which operates at speeds from 60 km/h.

The RS comes with a rear view camera. (wagon version in the photo)

There's also a rear AEB, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, multiple brake, automatic high beams, driver fatigue monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and airbag coverage of just 10 airbags ( double front, front side, front center, rear side, full-length curtains).

There are two ISOFIX anchor points and three top tether anchor points for child seats.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Skoda Australia offers several innovative ways to pay for service.

You can pay the old fashioned way, which is fine, but that's not what most customers do.

Instead, most buy a service package that can be three years/45,000 km ($800) or five years/75,000 km ($1400). These plans will save you $337 or $886 respectively, so it would be foolish not to. They carry over if you sell your vehicle before the end of the plan and you get map updates, pollen filters, fluids, and roadside assistance included during the plan's term.

There is also a subscription service plan where you can pay a monthly fee to cover service costs as needed. It starts at $49/month and ranges up to $79/month. There are tiers of coverage, including a comprehensive version that includes replacement of brakes, tires, car and key battery, wiper blades, and other consumables. It's not cheap, but you can refuse.

There is a five year unlimited mileage warranty plan which is the norm for most manufacturers these days.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

This is the best Skoda driving experience you can have.

In other words, it offers power, performance, fun and functionality, poise and craftsmanship… and a host of other alliterative superlatives besides.

Engine? Excellent. It has plenty of power and torque, refined and punchy, and has a great faux-sound generator that you can turn off if you don't like the "WRX-like" tone it makes in the cabin. I love it.

Transmission? Huge. The best dual-clutch automatic transmission is one that doesn't get in the way of progress, and here it is. It's smooth for city takeoffs, sharp enough for quick shifts on the fly, and overall smart. Really great for this car, so much so that I don't even mind not having a manual transmission version.

Steering? Super. It has a lot of weight, although it can be varied depending on the driving mode. Select "Comfort" and it will loosen up and lighten the weight, while in sport mode it will become heavier and more responsive. Normal is, well, a good balance, and there's a custom driving mode that lets you tailor what you want - provided you buy the RS with the Premium package. One thing with the steering is that there is some noticeable steering (where the steering wheel will pull to the side on hard acceleration), but it's never annoying or enough to make you lose traction.

Ride and handling? Really excellent - damn it, I was so good with alliteration. I guess I could say the chassis is charming...? Whatever the case, the Octavia RS sits balanced and stable on the road, feeling confident and manageable at all the speeds I've tested. The ride is really good too, smoothing out small and big bumps with composure, akin to a luxury car for twice the price. The adaptive dampers in the Premium package certainly play a role in how the body holds up, and the Bridgestone Potenza S005 rubber provides traction as well.

The only real disadvantage of the drive? The roar of tires is noticeable, and even at low speeds, the cabin can be loud. 

Overall, it's more refined and yet more wonderful to drive than the latest Octavia RS.

Verdict

The Skoda Octavia RS is the car you can go for if you want a more sporty midsize car. It's not an SUV and we love it. 

But also, if you're the type of buyer who just wants a top-of-the-line spec because it has the most features, then it will offer you a great option that also happens to be sporty to drive. So far, this is one of my favorite cars of 2021.