2025 Skoda Octavia RS review

Few vehicles tick as many boxes as a fast wagon.

With a big boot, low driving position, seating for five and ample performance, cars like the Skoda Octavia RS pack the ingredients to satisfy commuters, families and driving enthusiasts alike.

Yet, the sporty wagon is a dying breed, especially in Australia. Skoda continues to fly the flag with its venerable Octavia RS, but rivals are few.

There’s the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, and… not much else, at least if you want change from $100,000.

BMW will still sell you the 3 Series and 5 Series in estate form, including full-fat M versions, while Audi and Porsche also have representation in the wagon world. The German marques charge a pretty penny though, and the current economic climate isn’t exactly conducive to six-figure car purchases.

That brings us back to the Skoda. Nationwide drive-away pricing for the newly updated Octavia RS starts from $62,990 drive-away for the liftback and $64,490 for the wagon – increases of $6000 each, but still far less than its European counterparts.

And Skoda has thrown in a bunch of extras to justify the price hikes, from standard adaptive suspension to an infotainment upgrade and 15kW power bump.

It’s a truly unique offering Down Under, and those in the know have high hopes. After all, the RS has been the choice of the modest, discerning petrolhead for more than 20 years.

So, how does it compare to the pre-update model? And has Skoda done enough to keep the wagon flame burning for years to come?

How much does the Skoda Octavia RS cost?

In wagon guise, the RS sits at the top of the Octavia range, with an asking price of $64,490 drive-away.

That represents a $6000 increase over the pre-update model, although the previously optional $6600 Premium Pack has become standard equipment.

Looking across the rest of the segment, the top-spec Subaru WRX tS is slightly more expensive than the Skoda, while base versions retail in the mid-$50,000s.

The Hyundai i30 Sedan N can also be seen as a rival – it’s $52,000 before on-road costs.

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Skoda Octavia RS like on the inside?

A rethink of Octavia RS specifications has seen the updated model gain extra standard kit, although it wears an inflated price tag to match.

The pre-update RS started at a competitive $52,590 before on-road costs, and it was a vehicle lacking in premium features.

For 2025, the asking price has jumped to $59,990 plus on-road costs for the wagon, a significant increase. But for the extra dough you’re getting the contents of the now-defunct Premium Pack, plus an enhanced safety suite, upgraded infotainment system, and a heated steering wheel.

That makes the cabin of the 2025 Octavia RS a properly plush place to spend your time, albeit you’re forking out more dollars to be there.

The updated RS features an identical interior layout to the pre-update model, with a similar selection of materials throughout.

The steering wheel is a carryover part, finished in a combination of smooth and perforated leather. It falls perfectly in the hands, and now has a heating function for cold winter mornings.

Soft suede dominates the dash and door cards, while red stitching adds the splash of colour this otherwise monochrome space needs.

If the suede wasn’t enough to convince you of the RS’ sporty predisposition, a dash-width trim piece in the style of carbon-fibre weave is sure to do so.

While black plastics are abundant, most are soft to the touch and therefore don’t decimate perceptions of quality. I say most because the area of the centre tunnel where you rest your left knee is constructed of the hard, scratchy stuff, without any padding to ease the burden on long journeys.

Having said that, the seats in the Octavia RS are some of the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in. Not only do the front chairs look the part – they’re finished in a mix of leather and suede with red stitching – but they’re also supremely ergonomic and well-suited to a wide range of driving situations.

The base and side bolsters envelop the driver, holding you firmly in place during spirited driving. At the same time, a thick base cushion maintains high levels of comfort, and both front seats are equipped with three-stage heating, power adjustment, and a massage function.

Previous versions of the Octavia RS have been comfy chariots to commandeer, but the updated model represents a massive step forward in interior technology.

Starting with the bad, the RS still goes without connected services in Australia. However, the centre infotainment screen has grown in both size and usability.

Now measuring 13 inches, the new display features a clean app grid design and crystal clear graphics. It’s responsive to touch inputs, and more user-friendly with a configurable home screen and customisable shortcut icons.

By default, shortcuts for audio output, phone functionality, smartphone mirroring, navigation, and climate controls are pinned to the base of the screen.

As a result, the relative absence of physical buttons and switches isn’t felt to same extent as it was previously. 

And, unlike other Volkswagen Group products, the Octavia RS hasn’t fallen victim to the automotive fad of haptic buttons. Yes, there’s a volume slider under the infotainment screen, but that’s it – no fiddly steering wheel controls.

The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is also refreshingly straightforward. You can choose from a small selection of layouts and data readouts, with my favourite being a set of traditional gauges flanking a central data display.

Skoda’s design team have also done a fantastic job of integrating the cluster into the dash in a way that complements the overall aesthetic of the cabin.

Speaking of clever design, the Octavia RS is the segment leader for interior practicality. It has all the usual storage solutions you’d expect in a car like this, plus useful add-ons including a small trash container in each door bin.

The door bins and glovebox are both spacious, although the centre console is on the shallow side. A pair of USB-C outlets are located under the centre stack, alongside a wireless charging tray.

There’s also plenty of room in the second row, for both passengers and stuff. The rear doors open wide aiding ingress and egress, and once seated full-size adults have all the space they need to get comfortable.

Headroom only really becomes an issue for those topping 6’4″ – the inclusion of a panoramic sunroof doesn’t help that equation, but it’s unlikely to be an issue very often.  

And the sunroof is worth having for the airy feel it creates in the cabin, which is otherwise decked out in dark materials.

Outboard rear passengers are treated to three-stage seat heating, and there are plenty of amenities to go around. On top of the standard cupholders, door bins and air vents, the Octavia RS boasts window sunshades, map pockets with an integrated phone sleeve, and my favourite – a removable storage tray that attaches to the back of the centre console.

It’s a genius addition to the second row, making the most of a space that isn’t utilised unless someone is sitting in the middle seat.

The attachment doesn’t interfere with twin USB-C outlets, which ensure that rear passengers can stay online throughout long trips.

Arguably the most practical aspect of the Octavia RS is its cavernous boot. With a claimed capacity of 640 litres, the Skoda trumps both the WRX Sportswagon (492L) and i30 Sedan N (464L) by a significant margin.

The square boot aperture is both wide and tall, offering easy access in tandem with the powered tailgate.

Far from being an empty space, the cargo area features floor netting, bag hooks, and a 12V power socket. There’s a tyre repair kit under the boot floor, in place of a genuine spare.

If you’re after even more luggage space, the second row folds 60/40 to unlock 1700L of capacity, and there’s a central ski port built into the rear bench.

The RS is equipped with all the requisite top-tether and ISOFIX anchors for the safe transport of small children.

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The new Octavia RS is powered by a version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine found in a wide range of Volkswagen Group vehicles, both past and present. In this application, the EA888 outputs 195kW of power and 370Nm of torque – identical to the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI.

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Skoda Octavia RS drive?

After spending several hours touring across country Victoria, it’s fair to say the RS strikes the right balance between comfort and capability.

The WRX and i30 N are practical performance vehicles, but both are a little firm to serve as a plush commuter or long-distance cruiser. On the other hand, the Octavia RS benefits from Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) suspension, which is compliant right through the range of settings, from Comfort mode to Sport.

You feel the road surface through the seat of your pants, but there’s no crashing, bouncing or instability about the ride in the RS.

Comfort mode softens the Skoda up further – it makes for an excellent roadtrip vehicle.

Bolstering those credentials is the Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving system. It’s among the best on the market – you barely notice subtle lane corrections and the adaptive cruise function holds a consistent distance to the car in front.

Then there’s the fuel economy. Skoda claims that its performance hero can achieve a combined average consumption of 7.0L/100km, a best-in-class figure. And what’s more, it can. We hit the claim over several hours of mixed driving, which is a rarity.

The Octavia RS isn’t quite perfect, though. It produces excessive tyre roar on coarse chipped surfaces, detracting from an otherwise premium experience.

And it can’t quite match rivals for driving engagement and outright performance when the road turns twisty.

The updated RS produces 195kW and 370Nm, up by 15kW. That translates to a 0-100km/h of 6.5 seconds for the wagon, 0.2s quicker than the outgoing model.

On paper, those performance figures are solid, if not spectacular. And from the driver’s seat, the RS responds sharply from a standstill without throwing you back in the seat. In-gear acceleration is also strong, and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts with quick precision.

Overall, it’s the right amount of performance for daily street driving if you want to hang onto your licence.

Having said that, I wish this go-fast version of the Octavia made a little more noise. The exhaust system is on the quieter side, despite Skoda’s attempts to liven it up for this refreshed model.

Instead, you get some whooshing from the turbocharger up front, and a generic four-cylinder rumble.

The RS doesn’t necessarily encourage you to push its limits and that’s probably for the best. It’s a car that’s best driven at eight-tenths, beyond which dynamic flaws creep in.

A front-wheel drive layout translates to understeer when grip, albeit available in most situations, runs out. And the steering rack is light and lifeless, with play off centre and not much feel through the wheel.

So, while the Octavia RS is fun to pilot through some twisty mountain roads, the muted exhaust note and artificial steering leave some room for improvement.

The i30 N is a better driver’s car for those reasons, while the Skoda is more comparable to a WRX.

We didn’t get to sample the Octavia RS in an urban setting, but it’s well-equipped to flourish in the suburbs.

You get a surround-view camera, reversing camera and park assist as standard, all features that come in handy when tackling busy parking lots. Side and rear visibility are excellent, aided by an extra set of windows in the boot area.

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Octavia is available in three flavours in Australia – Select, Sportline, and RS.

2025 Skoda Octavia Select equipment highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare wheel
• LED headlights
• LED fog lights with cornering function
• LED tail-lights
• LED puddle lights
• Dynamic indicators
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Privacy glass
• Chrome window frame surrounds
• Silver roof rails (wagon only)
• Fabric upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Rear door window sunshades
• Shift-by-wire gear selector
• Electric park brake
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster
• 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Satellite navigation
• Two USB-C ports
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Wireless phone charger with ventilation
• Dual-zone climate control
• LED ambient interior lighting
• Push-button start
• Driver’s door umbrella and integrated holder
• Tablet holders for rear-seat occupants

Octavia Sportline adds:

• 19-inch ‘Draconis’ wheels
• Matrix LED headlights with steering response
• Gloss black exterior highlights
  • Front spoiler
  • Radiator surround
  • Mirror caps
  • Window trim
  • Rear spoiler
• Black roof rails (wagon)
• Progressive steering
• Driving mode selection
• Sports seats 
• Heated front seats
• Leatherette appointed dashboard with grey stitching
• Black headliner
• Stainless steel pedal covers
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Push-button start and keyless entry

Octavia RS adds:

• 19-inch ‘Elias’ wheels
• Black exterior highlights
• Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
• Front locking differential
• Adjustable sports steering
• Adaptive suspension (Dynamic Chassis Control)
• Heated windscreen
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather and suede upholstery 
• Heated front and rear-outboard seats
• Power-adjustable front seats with massage, memory functions
• Passenger-side auto-dipping mirror, memory for both sides
• Head-up display
• Tri-zone climate control
• 12-speaker Canton premium sound system
• RS-specific instrument cluster graphics
• Aluminium pedals

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Skoda Octavia RS safe?

The Skoda Octavia received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2022, based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2019.

Standard safety equipment on the Octavia includes:

• Eight airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection front and rear
  • Cyclist detection
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go (previously adaptive only) 
• Travel Assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane-centring assist
• Emergency assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning system
• Driver fatigue monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The Octavia RS adds: 

• Surround-view camera
• Intelligent park assist

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Skoda Octavia RS cost to run?

Skoda is the only European brand to offer a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.

If you finance through Skoda you can lock in a Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) for the car in advance, meaning you’ll know what the car will be worth rather than rolling the dice on resale.

To see how the Skoda Octavia lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Skoda Octavia RS

Skoda hasn’t reinvented the wheel with the updated Octavia RS, but it didn’t need to.

The addition of more power and standard equipment is more than welcome, especially considering 80 per cent of buyers previously opted for the Premium Pack anyway.

Sure, that’s lifted the cost of entry, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a like-for-like alternative at this price point. There’s the WRX Sportswagon, which is a different take on a similar recipe, or the i30 Sedan N – a cheaper, more focused performance vehicle.

At the end of the day, the Octavia RS is an exceptional package with few weaknesses, especially in wagon form.

Passenger and cargo capacity? Tick. Upmarket interior? Tick. Modern tech? Tick. A punchy and efficient powertrain? You guessed it, another tick.

It mightn’t be a best-seller, and likely never will be. However, this handsome hauler deserves to be on more shopping lists.

Interested in buying a Skoda Octavia? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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MORE: Everything Skoda Octavia