However, what about the driving experience, which is a strength that positions this sedan ahead of the tempting SUVs. But you can still make yourself comfortable and settle in for a relaxed and calming ride. That, combined with the absence of a sunroof and a dark headliner which Skoda seems to have forgotten to match with the rest of the upholstery, does make you feel claustrophobic. No complaints about the bench or the features on offer, but it’s the space that’s concerning. And while this might be a debatable topic for the exteriors, it clearly isn’t as you hop into the rear seats. It’s marketed as a premium sedan for India but internationally, the Octavia is a hatchback based on the Golf’s platform. I would have loved two buttons to cool them, but Skoda reckons otherwise. The front row seats – well they remain an absolute gem in Octavia’s cabin, very comforting, good levels of electric arrangements with memory function and generous shoulder support. The two-spoke steering doesn’t feel any different from a three-spoke, yet aesthetically it suits the modern cabin.
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Keen drivers will surely appreciate Skoda’s second-generation virtual cockpit that gets tweaked input methods. Fit and finish, in typical Skoda fashion, is top-notch, and feels built to last. But all is forgiven when you scroll your finger on the touch-sensitive volume slider, and hear crisp, clear notes from the 600W canton speaker. The floating 10-inch touchscreen benefits from a permanently marked home and menu button, but adjusting the fan speed will give require you to annoyingly press a few buttons. The dashboard with its three-layer design and distinctive use of soft-touch materials, including suede, will want you to admire it for hours. Things are much more engrossing on the inside the architect, new materials, and newfound luxury. Is it because they’ve given those fake exhaust tips a miss? Likely. The amalgamation of the coupé style, sleeker tail lamps, and a tidy tail section does look very premium. The rear of the new Octavia is by far the prettiest angle to look at. The wheels too are quite unique on the L and K trim and again, will surely split opinion. The tight shut lines and prominent creases remain, and so does the clean understated look. Yet, the sleeker headlamps replace the split-headlamp arrangement from before, giving it a more modern look. The face isn’t as serious as before, but it seems to be trying to merge with the bigger barbeque grilles, and that might not sit well with the audience. I like how Skoda has retained the silhouette of the third generation, although this receives all-new panels and has grown in size as well. One thing’s for sure, no SUV can look as stately as the Octavia. But in this nail-biting action sequel, will the Czech emerge to glory? Or will it succumb to the affection we have for our SUVs? A lone survivor who’s managed to find cover, reload the artillery and emerge from the ground. In its fourth generation, the Skoda Octavia is one of the very few sedans worthy of waging a war against the SUV army.