2023 Skoda Octavia RS wagon review

For a majority of Australians, a car is another example of an item they need and not necessarily want, falling into the same category as fridges or computers. For this type of buyer, there are plenty of choices in all segments and for all budgets.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the car and driving enthusiasts who are after something more engaging, whether they are inside looking out or outside looking in. In this market, the price often rises significantly over purely pragmatic equivalents and there’s no shortage of customers willing to pay it.

However, there is a third type of audience that is enthusiastic about cars and driving but doesn’t necessarily have the budget or garage space to indulge their passion as much as they might dream.

Options that offer high performance on a budget are also fairly well represented, but when you throw the third element of practicality into the mix, the list suddenly becomes drastically shorter. That’s where the Skoda Octavia RS wagon comes in.

While Skoda once offered the Octavia RS in choices of high-performance petrol and diesel, manual and auto, there's now just one powertrain across the range – the 180TSI with seven-speed auto.

It is, however, still on offer as either the Octavia RS sedan or wagon priced from $55,990 and $57,490 respectively drive-away.

For that cash, sedan versions get essentially the same engine as the Volkswagen Golf GTI with 180kW and 370Nm sent to the front wheels via a dual-clutch automatic transmission, a slick sports interior with sharp digital displays, and sporty exterior design including 19-inch wheels.

But for just $1500 extra, the wagon shares the same specifications but boosts load space to one of the biggest in the segment.

While this version is the fourth-generation ‘NX’ Octavia that launched in 2021 and contains a whole heap of technology donated from the most advanced models in the Volkswagen Group family, its petrol engine and transmission are similar to the gen-three RS that launched in 2012.

As a brand, Skoda prides itself on the amount of equipment included in its models as standard, and the same is true of the Octavia RS. For those who want to lift their RS even higher, however, there are a handful of options.

Our test car had been optioned with the RS Premium Pack that adds Dynamic (adaptive) Chassis Control with Drive Mode Select, head-up display (HUD) and so-called Suedia artificial hide, plus a few more bits for an extra $5400.

A panoramic roof is also available for $1900, but this had been left off our extra items.

While our test car looked razor-sharp in its $770 Race Blue, it would be hard to not order the wagon in stunning Mamba Green, which is not only a fitting statement to match the good proportions and angular styling, but is surprisingly the only no-cost colour.

Quite simply, the Octavia wagon is vast. In the front row, there’s not much that appears out of the ordinary for a mid-to-large size passenger model with a comfortable space for passengers and drivers alike.

The two central cupholders are a little skinny and only just accommodate a standard 375ml soft drink can, but there’s decent storage to be found in the central bin, door pockets, and phone-stowing cubby.

But the further back you head in the Octavia’s cabin, the better it gets. In the second row, there’s lots of head room and elbow room for tall and wide occupants, and while the chunky front sports seats do impact rear leg room a little, it’s not a problem.

We also particularly appreciated keyless unlocking sensors positioned on all four doors, which is an unusual inclusion for any brand, and the 'virtual pedal' hands-free power tailgate opening that worked more consistently than many.

At the back is the Octavia’s cavernous boot. Measuring 640L it’s big, but with the rear seats folded flat, it opens up to 1700L, which rivals some large SUVs. Not only that, there are heaps of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ features to be discovered.

Like practical Easter eggs you’ll find over months of living with the wagon, these smart additions are genuinely useful, such as the clever collapsible boot hammock that is installed in pop-out hooks and provides a handy place to stow things hovering above the boot floor.

An umbrella and bin complete with disposable liner hidden in the driver’s door, ice-scraper neatly tucked inside the fuel filler cap, adjustable boot storage compartments and nets, double pockets in the front seat-backs for devices and phones, and a transparent ticket clip on the windscreen are all good examples.

Unfortunately, Skoda has not yet come up with a simply clever solution to preserve that huge boot and also offer a full-size spare wheel tucked away somewhere, although a space-saver is okay.

With the fourth generation came a widespread refresh of the Octavia’s technology, including an even bigger central touchscreen that grew to 10.3 inches, complementing the 10.3-inch driver’s digital cluster.

The former brings some lovely features such as customisable interior ambient LED lighting, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wireless connection – and there’s wireless device charging to complete the cord-free package.

The digital instrument cluster is also very impressive and one of the most highly customisable we’ve experienced. The incredibly flexible system can be individualised with all the key information being displayed in a number of different portions of the sharp digital display, while a further layer of personalisation is possible by scrolling through design themes. If you can’t get the cluster look you want with the RS, then give up.

As ours was optioned with the RS Premium Pack, an excellent head-up display adds to the tech levels, along with some very welcome luxury touches such as seat heating for front and rear occupants, power adjustment for both front seats, rear climate-control panel, and the Suedia Alcantara-like textile upholstery.

We liked the high-quality material that extends to some interior trims, but the addition of the RS Premium Pack doesn’t change the support or design of the seats, and the cloth versions would most likely be almost as good to live with if other Skoda cloth quality is anything to go by.

Completing the well-appointed interior are four USB-C power points, with two each for front and rear occupants, but we particularly like the fifth USB-C located near the rear-view mirror, which enables easy powering of a dash-cam without untidy wires dangling everywhere.

For technology, therefore, the Octavia RS is very well equipped, but its voice-command feature was the only black mark and one of the most unhelpful we’ve encountered. We never once succeeded in entering a navigation address using spoken instructions, and on several occasions rather than calling someone, the system tried to set a person in the paired phone contacts as a navigation address… We’re not even sure how that works.

Skoda was awarded the highest five-star rating for the entire Octavia line-up when it was tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) based on 2019 Euro NCAP testing. This rating is valid until December 2025.

It scored well in assessment for both adult and child occupant protection with 92 per cent and 87 per cent scores respectively, but average for vulnerable road users (73 per cent) and safety assistance features (79 per cent). While a 2021 update increased standard offerings in some areas, other items such as speed sign recognition are still waiting to join.

The RS ranks slightly higher for safety than other variants in the Octavia wagon family as it gets 10 airbags, including thorax protection airbags for second-row occupants as well as the front. It also has an auto-hold electric park brake whereas others are manually operated electric only.

Otherwise, standard RS safety highlights are autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vulnerable road-user detection, lane keeping and monitoring systems, ISOFIX anchors for two child seats in the rear, dusk-sensing LED headlights with adaptive beams and DRLs, driver fatigue detection, rear traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring.

The RS’s relatively highly tuned turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine cannot run on regular 91-octane unleaded fuel and instead requires 95-octane premium petrol as the minimum standard, which will increase ownership costs.

While its wheels aren’t the largest on high-performance cars these days, the 19-inch rubber is relatively low profile, which will make swapping worn tyres for fresh a more expensive exercise. And with such hearty torque and just two-wheel drive, that might be more frequently than expected – driver enthusiasm levels dependent of course.

Pre-paid servicing plans are available in five- or seven-year packs costing $2600 and $3400 respectively when the Octavia RS is new. However, Skoda also offers a four-year deal to nearly new versions if packs weren’t purchased at the time of sale when new.

Full comprehensive insurance for the Octavia RS wagon costs $1408 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates will vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Given the Octavia’s size, load-lugging capability and performance, it’s more economical than you might guess. The official claim is a combined average fuel consumption of 6.8 litres per 100km, but despite using the RS in a variety of driving scenarios, it returned a figure respectably close to the claimed average of 7.1L/100km.

While many mid-to-large high-performance wagons utilise all-wheel drive to get big torque figures to the road, the Octavia uses a lighter and more efficient front-drive layout. Combined with an advanced EA888 engine (which has proven its performance and efficiency balance in many other models) and idle-stop, the punchiest Octavia would return good economical driving day-to-day.

Skoda has been producing RS-badged cars for nearly 50 years, and in every case the two letters denote a more powerful and potent version of the donor model. The Octavia is no exception.

It takes the prolific Volkswagen Group EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine in a 180kW/370Nm tune and slots it into a sharpened chassis.

As our car has the optional RS Premium Pack, adaptive suspension is added into the mix for an even more versatile vehicle. In standard driving modes, the Octavia RS's ride is compliant and supple with a firm edge that’s completely forgivable given its low-profile tyres and performance promise.

While there’s also an expected degree of road noise attributable to the performance tyres and stiffer suspension, it too is way below the levels we would forgive for a capable driver’s car.

The front seats are purposeful and supportive without being punishing and with a satisfying firmness, while the cushions aren’t too flat, which can lead to aches and cramps on longer drives.

From the second you turn a wheel in the Octavia, however, it’s clear this car has the ability to make you smile. Its steering is initially light but very smooth and tantalisingly precise. Ergonomics match with a sporty but sustainable driving position supported by excellent information displays regardless of the driving mode.

Hard acceleration from a standing start and in normal driving mode can be a little frustrating as the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox conspires with a little engine turbo lag occasionally resulting in delayed response, but once off the mark, the Octavia is athletic and light on its feet.

In gear, the turbo engine has fast throttle response and the snappy gearbox is good at selecting the next ratio itself or being told what to do with the steering-wheel paddle shifters.

Peak power is impressive and easy to access, but the Octavia’s torque is the most impressive element of the partnership. A majority of the RS’s speed comes from low-down grunt that peaks at just 1600rpm but lasts to 4300rpm for a sense of performance stamina. It would also make for great towing ability – up to the Octavia RS's 1600kg maximum.

Even in the dry, the front wheels can struggle to deal with such a rapid onslaught of torque, and without the help of a clever and very effective electronically actuated limited-slip diff it would be a bit of a handful. In the wet, though, it’s almost impossible to apply full throttle without at least one flashing light indicating a weakness in traction has been found.

With less weight to add to the inertia, the power and torque work better in the Golf GTI, and with an AWD transmission even higher torque and power outputs are fine, such as in the Cupra Formentor VZx for example.

But we’re confident a version of the EA888 engine that moves the power-vs-torque slide-bar a little further back towards the middle, boosting high-end power and calming the tyre-tearing torque at the lower end, would better balance the RS's poise.

Once into flowing corners, however, the Octavia becomes a different machine. The sense of a big boot hanging out the back is never completely absent, but it does incredibly well for a front-wheel-drive wagon with near-flat body roll and nothing lacking in personality or attitude.

Cornering speeds can be held dizzyingly high, the front end has a consistent feel and grip, while the adaptive dampers provide brilliant body control even when left in the most comfortable setting.

We’re certain the Octavia RS has been responsible for some very sick kids and a dog on more than one occasion in the past, because the driver found a good road and simply forgot they were there in the back.

While it can be turned off, the Octavia RS produces an augmented engine noise that irks some who experience it, and similar systems have attracted similar ire from this reviewer. In the case of the Octavia, however, the noise transcends the pretentious or unbelievable and becomes something more satisfying. I know it’s not real, but I don’t care.

Even after many years of evolution, the Octavia RS wagon is still delivering on its somewhat unique brief with lightning-fast dynamics that compromise little in practicality and functionality.

One of the hardest parts of this review was not intricately analysing the handling nuances, establishing Octavia’s niche audience and deconstructing its value equation. The most difficult task was actually identifying its ‘rivals’.

Yes, there are a small handful of wagons that offer similar performance, others that can deliver comparable space, and there are one or two quirky models that represent something different while not for the sake of being different.

But when it comes to finding something other than the Octavia RS wagon that’s as fast, fun, practical and well packaged for the same cash? We’ve given up looking.

Yes, it has increased in price over the years, and during that time drivetrain options have fallen by the wayside and effectively narrowed the range down to only the two most popular versions, but let us not forget that it wasn’t that long ago Coles was charging $7 for iceberg lettuces.

Thankfully, the Octavia RS has not been subjected to such aggressive inflation, but expecting it to avoid a price rise at all over the best part of a decade in its mechanical form is unrealistic, especially as it’s continued to evolve in other significant ways.

So while it’s undeniably more expensive, the absence of anything else in the market that can do the job of the Octavia RS wagon as well for less cash should be evidence alone that it still represents exceptionally good value. For pragmatic car enthusiasts on a budget, this is still the best car money can buy.

If you like the Octavia wagon as much as we do, you have but one choice. Yes, the sedan is as good if not slightly better with a marginally faster 0–100km/h acceleration thanks to a lighter kerb weight, but it's the enormous practical cabin that makes the RS wagon such a compelling and unique machine.

Adding the pricey Premium Pack does somewhat dent the Skoda’s value proposition, and while we could live without a majority of the features it brings, the HUD and adaptive dampers are probably worth the cash alone. That said, if you picked an absolutely standard RS wagon off the shelf, you’d still be getting into a very well-rounded vehicle that wears a lot of different hats.

Skoda’s stock-locating website is a good place to start to find a car that’s right for you, and it’s worth cross-referencing with all the Skodas for sale at drive.com.au/cars-for-sale.

The good news is that availability at the time of publishing is good, and we found at least five new examples in the country with identical levels of specification to our test car including the lovely blue paint and options. But let’s be honest, you want the Mamba Green don’t you? And with the $770 cash you save, you’ll be able to get a very nice new set of sunglasses.