• Larger touchscreen now standard
• Sensible design, including plenty of buttons
• Easy to get comfortable

How is the quality and layout?

The Octavia’s dashboard has some shared components with the Volkswagen Golf, but it manages to look very different. The simple appearance, which Skoda calls a ‘multi-level’ design, somehow comes across as more appealing – especially when it comes to the tasteful material choices used to dress up some of the surfaces. The level of customisation available to buyers has increased with the facelift model.

Most Octavias get an unusual two-spoke steering wheel with conventional buttons and a pair of scroll wheels. It’s easy to figure out what does what and the controls are simple to use while driving, making it straightforward to manipulate the standard-fit digital instrument cluster, the infotainment and some of the safety systems.

While climate control is done via the central touchscreen, a row of physical buttons shortcuts you straight to this and a series of other essential items – a compromise we find generally works very well. Some of the Parkers team complain that the air vents aren’t mounted high enough, but the cooling and heating happens quickly.

Infotainment and tech

The facelift’s new 13.0-inch infotainment screen seems strikingly large in the Octavia’s otherwise fairly conservative cabin, and some will probably complain that is looks like Skoda has stuck an iPad to the dashboard. But an improved operating system makes it quicker and more intuitive to use, with an increased number of digital shortcuts to go with the actual buttons beneath the display.

It’s certainly more user-friendly than the equivalent Golf or SEAT Leon, though still not as manageable when driving as old fashion air conditioning used to be, and buttons are among the cheaper feeling elements of an otherwise robust interior. The digital dials offer a choice of viewing styles to suit different tastes; all are clear but vary the amount of accompanying information available on screen.

The standard hi-fi system is clear and clean sounding, but if you want something a little more dynamic the optional Canton upgrade delivers some extra punch at extra cost, although the sound improvement is marginal.

Comfort

• Ample leg and headroom front and rear
• Front seats very supportive
• Good visibility and a bright, airy interior

Front-seat comfort is impressive, with excellent standard seats that can be upgrade to electrically operated chairs with greater levels of adjustment. There’s plenty of adaptability in the reach and rake of the steering wheel, and forward visibility is generally good, thanks in part of the low height of the dashboard.

Rear-seat comfort is also exceptional for the class, with plenty of room and support making the Octavia feel more like an executive car than a family hatchback. Refinement from road and wind noise is okay, but the engines can be loud – especially the lower-powered diesels but even the petrols if you rev them hard.

Upholstery varies with trim level, and the facelift offers increased choice here. We particularly like the natty diamond-stitched pattern of the Sportline specification, though families may want to consider protecting some of the lighter finishes to avoid unfortunate staining by messy children (writing as the parent of a pair of them).