Skoda Octavia Facelift In The Works For Markets Abroad

• Refreshes to the bumpers, butterfly grille and potentially new alloy wheels seem to round off the cosmetic changes.

• Cabin is likely to remain unchained aside from new colour themes and possibly ADAS for the India-spec model.

• India-spec model should retain the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine.

• India launch likely later in 2023.

It was in November 2019 that Skoda globally took the wraps off the fourth-iteration of the Octavia sedan, which brought about sharper looks as well as a boatload of new tech. Now that the sedan’s lifespan will reach three years this year, it looks like the carmaker will be giving it a midlife refresh soon as test mules have been spotted in markets abroad for the first time.

Looking at the sedan in these images, the overall silhouette remains largely unchanged aside from camouflage on the front and rear end, revealing where majority of the cosmetic changes will be. At the front, it looks like the bumper will get some tweaks with minor changes to the headlights and the butterfly grille. As for the rear, it looks like it’ll still have most of the Superb-inspired design with split-LED tail lamps. A fresh choice of alloy wheels will likely round off the cosmetic enhancements. 

Inside, the current Octavia already boasted a minimalist and neater look, so don’t expect major changes there aside from new upholstery options. For the India-spec model, it should retain bits such as a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Skoda’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 12-speaker Canton audio system, wireless phone charger, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, and dual-zone climate control with an air purifier. We could get a bit of ADAS already present in the model sold abroad with features like collision avoidance assist, exit warning (blind spot detection) and fatigue warning. 

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Under the hood, things will likely remain unchanged. While the model sold abroad comes in petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrid engines, in India we get the  190PS 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is paired to a 7-speed DSG gearbox.

 

Expect the facelifted Skoda Octavia to break cover sometime around early 2023, with an India launch possibly later that year. The current Skoda Octavia retails from Rs. 26.85 lakh to Rs 29.85 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Expect the facelifted sedan to be priced at a slight premium over the current model. As things stand, it does not have a direct rival as both the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra were taken off the shelves in India. 

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