2025 Skoda Octavia RS review (video)

For those who love the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s spirit but want more space, more features, and a practical twist for family duties, the Skoda Octavia RS is a clever alternative. It’s a car that blends reason and excitement better than most – a performance sedan (or wagon) for those who don’t want to sacrifice space, refinement, or everyday usability in the pursuit of fun.

For 2025, Skoda has turned the wick up further. The updated model produces a hearty 195kW from the same 2.0-litre turbo engine. It’s now one of the most complete and best-equipped performance sedans in its class.

But with rising competition from the electric world and futuristic designs swooping our attention, will it still remain top of mind as far as sporty family cars go? Here are our thoughts after spending a week with one.

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 195kW@5250rpm / 370Nm@1600-4500rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×7.5, 225/40
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1530kg
Power-to-weight: 7.84:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 7.0L/100km
Our consumption: 7.1L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 27.85kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.25 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.10 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.75 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.25 seconds at 168.0km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.719g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.21m in 2.84 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.162g*
Decibel at idle (/sport mode): 43/45*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 84*
Starting price: $62,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: How much does it cost?

The RS Sedan starts from $62,990, before on-road costs. That’s a sharp price given what’s now bundled in as standard. Wagon form adds just $1500 more, which we are lucky to be offered as an alternative in Aus. When you factor in the now-standard Premium Pack, which used to cost an extra $6600, the RS is now cheaper than its predecessor when matched for specification. That price direction is not seen often nowadays.

What’s thrown in includes items like Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), heated front and rear seats, tri-zone climate control, a 12-speaker Canton sound system, head-up display, power-adjustable and massaging front seats, a surround-view camera system, and a heated steering wheel. That’s excellent value among the competition. Add in a 13-inch infotainment system, adaptive LED headlights, and a full suite of advanced safety tech, and it’s hard to find anything missing.

From a value standpoint, it also casts a long shadow over the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which shares its engine and DSG transmission. The GTI retails from $58,990, but it bundles significantly less than what the Octavia offers.

Looking at ongoing costs, servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. A 5-year prepaid service plan is available from $3450 ($450 more expensive than non-RS models), and a 7-year plan is available for $4580 ($620 more expensive that non-RS models).

An additional 12 months of roadside assistance is also thrown in with each service. The warranty is class-leading from the Czech Republic-built sedan, and longer than the Golf GTi’s, with 7 years and unlimited kilometres. Long-term ownership costs are higher than the broader benchmark, as well as compared with other German-branded rivals. For example, Audi offers a 5-year service plan on the A3 for $2520. However, this does come with higher-performance components such as brakes and adaptive suspension.

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: Interior & packaging

Skoda hasn’t forgotten its roots in smart design. This is a brand built around practicality, and the RS demonstrates it just as strongly as any other model in the lineup. Every inch of the cabin has been considered for real-world usability. Or as Skoda calls it, “Simply Clever”. There’s an umbrella slot neatly integrated into the driver’s door, an extra storage tray in the centre leg position in the back, large door pockets that can take big bottles, a bottle opener in the front cupholders, a garbage bin in the driver door pocket, a phone holder slot, a tablet holder in the back, front seat backrest storage pockets and separate smartphone pockets, a ticket holder in the pillar, and even a windscreen washer funnel.

Cabin presentation is quietly handsome. The overall design is familiar from the broader Volkswagen Group family, but Skoda’s execution feels just that little bit warmer and more personable. The materials are solid and neatly assembled. You get synthetic leather and ‘Suedia’ on the seats with contrasting red stitching and the RS logo, black ‘Suedia’ dash trim with red stitching, LED ambient lighting with customisable colours, as well as aluminium finish foot pedals and front door inlays. Dash design is minimalistic but functional. And the ‘floating’ brushed door handles look suave.

The sports seats hold you firmly without pinching, and the driving position is spot on – low, centred, and adjustable in all the right ways. Rear passengers also enjoy generous headroom and legroom, with enough space to comfortably seat two adults or three kids for longer journeys. They also get side window blinds and their own climate controls back there, and a fold-down arm rest.

Up front, the 13-inch infotainment display takes centre stage. It’s crisp, colourful, and responsive, and while the climate controls are integrated into the screen, they’re laid out more logically than in some VW siblings. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with a wireless charging pad that’s actively cooled so your phone doesn’t overheat. The digital instrument cluster offers several display themes, similar to what Volkswagen offers, including an RS-specific performance view.

If there’s a weak point inside, it’s the sound system. Despite the inclusion of a branded Canton setup, audio reproduction sounds compressed and slightly echoey, even after fiddling with the equaliser. It’s not terrible, but it doesn’t quite match the rest of the car’s polish in our opinion.

Despite its sporty intentions, the Octavia RS is still one of the most practical sedans on the market. The liftback-style boot is enormous, offering 600 litres of cargo space, or 1555 litres if the rear seats are folded down – and they fold completely flat. There are nets and hooks to hold luggage down, too. Additionally, the tailgate opens electrically – a rarity in this class. Because the rear window lifts with the hatch, loading bulkier items is far more achievable than even bigger sedans like a Camry.

Safety is another strong suit for the Octavia RS. Every model comes equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors with park assist, a 360-degree view camera, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and blind-spot monitoring. There’s also rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, side door exit warning, and fatigue detection. The active matrix LED headlights with shadowing function work exceptionally well at night, automatically dimming around oncoming traffic with impressive precision.

Externally, the Octavia RS has always been one of those cars that manages to look sporty without being too ostentatious. For 2025, the look remains familiar with clean lines, aggressive front intakes, and the signature red RS badging. More jagged LED lighting shapes and contrasting glossy black elements sharpen the overall look. But to some, the design is starting to show its age next to newer, louder rivals. We think its proportions are still handsome, however, and the subtle detailing gives it an understated confidence.

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: Powertrain & handling

The beating heart of the Octavia RS is a familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, now producing 195kW and 370Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) auto transmission driving the front wheels. That’s a 15kW increase from pre-update.

Even though it’s the same drivetrain found in the Golf GTi with the same output figures, it feels slightly more relaxed in delivery here, as the figures show. It is dimensionally bigger and fractionally heavier; it reaches 0-100km/h 0.5 seconds slower, with a claim of 6.4 seconds. Our testing revealed a time of 6.10 seconds using the standard launch control feature.

When you plant your right foot, there’s an immediate, muscular surge of low-end pull. The engine feels eager and flexible, never strained. Vastly thanks to the DSG’s snappy and smooth shifts combined with the engine’s broad torque spread (peaks through 1600-4500rpm). The deep, bassy exhaust note adds a sporty flavour without being obnoxious; it’s there to enjoy but won’t drone on long highway drives.

Fuel efficiency is commendable for something with this level of performance. Skoda claims 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle, and during our week of mixed driving – including spirited testing – we averaged a close 7.1L/100km. That’s an excellent result given the performance available underfoot.

A highlight of this fourth-gen update is the inclusion of Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) as standard. It lets drivers adjust between Comfort, Normal, and Sport damping settings, effectively giving the RS multiple personalities. In Comfort mode, it’s pliant enough for commuting or long trips. Switch to Sport, and the suspension tightens considerably, sharpening body control and giving the car a planted, track-hugging stance through corners. You really do feel the difference in the modes too.

That said, the trade-off for such keen handling is a ride that can get a little bumpy on patchy urban roads. It’s never harsh, but the stiffness is noticeable over speed bumps and coarse asphalt. You do, however, get a level of steering precision that’s confidence-inspiring. The car glues itself to the tarmac, cornering with predictability and poise that few front-wheel-drive sedans can match.

The electronic limited-slip differential works silently in the background to manage traction, pulling the nose neatly out of bends with minimal understeer. The RS feels balanced and agile, capable of real pace when pushed. Braking performance is also strong and consistent, though the road noise is prominent on certain coarse surfaces, especially with the standard 19-inch wheels wearing 225/40 tyres.

While behind the wheel, we thought the adaptive high-beam system deserves special mention too. The matrix LED headlights with active shadowing function are superbly calibrated, automatically blocking out oncoming traffic while keeping the rest of the road fully illuminated. It’s one of those premium touches that genuinely improves night driving comfort and safety.

The only real ergonomic misstep is the cruise control stalk, tucked behind the steering wheel where you can’t easily see the markings. It’s an old Volkswagen Group quirk that requires a little learning before it becomes second nature. Best to familiarise yourself before setting off.

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Everyday usability: Hatch-style tailgate, umbrella holder, clever storage solutions, and powered boot make it one of the most practical performance sedans available to live with for the everyday grind.
• Potent performance: 195kW turbo engine offers strong low-end torque and quick-shifting DSG thrills, with an exhaust note that’s sporty but refined.
• Dynamic versatility: Standard Dynamic Chassis Control lets you switch from relaxed cruiser to corner-carving precision with the tap of a button. And it makes a notable difference.
• Improved value: It bundles in what used to be a $6600 Premium Pack while still undercutting many less-equipped rivals – including the Golf GTI with the same engine.
• High-end tech: Matrix LED headlights with active shadowing, head-up display, and tri-zone climate control push the RS into near-luxury territory.

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: Key considerations before you buy

• Road noise: The large 19-inch wheels generate noticeable cabin roar on coarse Australian bitumen.
• Stiff ride: While DCC helps, even Comfort mode can feel firm over uneven surfaces compared with some.
• Ageing exterior: The current design is elegant but starting to look dated beside newer rivals.
• Running costs: Ongoing servicing is above average, even among German-built rivals.
• Underwhelming sound system: Despite the Canton branding, audio lacks clarity and depth, even with tuning adjustments. It’s okay but could be better.

2025 Skoda Octavia RS: Video