2025 Skoda Octavia facelift revealed: Updated look, more power for the RS

The facelifted 2025 Skoda Octavia has debuted with an updated look, added technology, and more power for the flagship RS variant.

Wheels has reached out to Skoda Australia for comment about local timing for the updated Octavia.

However, it will likely follow the facelifted Mk8.5 version of the heavily related Volkswagen Golf hatch, which is set to enter production for our market in Germany between October and December ahead of first arrivals due at the start of 2025. The Skoda Octavia is built in the Czech Republic.

59

Exterior design changes include redesigned headlights with a new daytime running light signature extending outside the main light unit towards a reshaped grille.

It also features second-generation matrix LED technology, which increases the number of individual segments in the main beam from 12 to 36. The fog lamps have been deleted from the lower bumper and replaced with an ‘all-weather’ function for the headlamps.

The updated Octavia also sports revised front and rear bumpers that make the liftback and wagon nine millimetres longer than before, as well as updated tail-lights with animated indicators, new alloy wheel designs, and updated Skoda badging.

Inside, the Octavia receives an available 13-inch floating touchscreen – up from 10.0-inch in current models – running the brand’s latest infotainment system, which adds ChatGPT artificial intelligence within its built-in ‘Laura’ voice assistant.

59

The USB-C charge ports are now three times more powerful at 45 watts, while an improved keyless entry system can automatically lock and unlock the car when the driver is within 1.5 metres of the car while carrying the key.

The Octavia’s automatic parking system has been updated to also control acceleration and braking, while owners can control the vehicle in and out of parking spaces using a phone app in some markets.

It also has more sustainable materials and darkened interior trim, while its ‘simply clever’ features have been updated to include a new automatic retractable luggage compartment cover for the wagon, a dedicated storage box to hold rear passenger items, and the optional tablet holder can now be affixed to models with sports seats.

Updated active safety technology includes more advanced traffic sign recognition and more precise driver drowsiness detection which now monitors “information from various vehicle control units, such as lane assist” in addition to steering inputs.

59

Traffic sign recognition is currently unavailable in Australia – but this technology is making its first appearance in the facelifted VW Touareg due in April and could arrive in further vehicles from Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra in due course.

The Octavia RS receives a power bump in Europe, with outputs for the 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ turbo-petrol bumped from 180kW to 195kW. Torque remains at 370Nm.

Skoda has adopted an updated Atkinson engine cycle, known as the ‘Budack cycle’, for the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol which is said to improve efficiency.

59

The Octavia RS also has a new genuine sport exhaust with black tailpipes and improved engine software for improved sound by increasing revs at start-up and “more enjoyment” in the sport drive mode.

Mid-range Octavia variants fitted with a less-powerful version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol – which was available in Australia in 2021 in a limited-run variant – increases from 140kW to 150kW in Europe. Skoda Australia has no current plans to offer this powertrain.

The 2025 Skoda Octavia is expected to arrive in Australia in the first months of next year, with local details to be confirmed closer to its launch.

Skoda Australia recently launched a Sportline variant for the entry-level 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre powertrain, which has the same $42,490 (liftback) or $43,990 (wagon) drive-away price as the Octavia 110TSI Style.

WATCH: Skoda Octavia RS review