The 2025 Skoda Octavia RS has always embodied the perfect union of everyday functionality and practicality, without sacrificing remarkable performance and a smooth driving experience. With the arrival of the deeply enhanced 2025 version, expectations are high. This mid-cycle update for the fourth generation, launched in 2020, brings aesthetic refinements, an upgraded infotainment system, and a 15kW increase in maximum power. We took the refreshed RS wagon version for a rigorous test on the Isle of Man, across extensive stretches of the world-famous Snaefell Mountain Course, the annual venue for the TT event, to uncover whether it still holds its place at the top of its category.
Refined and Imposing Exterior Design
The 2025 Skoda Octavia RS showcases a renewed look that sets it apart from the previous version, while still maintaining the sporty identity that made it famous. The aesthetic changes are subtle yet effective, giving it an even more striking presence on the streets. The Matrix LED headlights, featuring the “Crystallinium” detail, are one of the highlights, boasting new daytime running lights that sharply outline the radiator grille, making it easier for enthusiasts to identify the 195kW model. The 19-inch “Elias” alloy wheels with an anthracite finish complement the sporty appearance, while the electric and heated side mirrors, along with the tinted rear windows, add touches of sophistication and functionality.
The wagon body style tested in this article displays a sleek and dynamic silhouette, perfectly balancing sportiness with the practicality inherent to this type of vehicle. The flowing lines and aerodynamic design contribute to the efficiency and performance of the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS, while the glossy black and dark chrome details, exclusive to the RS version, reinforce its distinctive character. The rear LED light signature with dynamic indicators enhances safety and adds a modern, technological touch to the overall design.
Spacious and Technologically Advanced Interior
Upon entering the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS, we are welcomed by an environment that harmoniously combines sportiness and refinement. The quality of materials is remarkable, with pleasant textures and impeccable finishes. The instrument panel features an interesting and modern design, emphasizing the technological integration and practicality expected from a vehicle in this category. The spacious interior is one of the strong points of the Octavia RS, offering comfort and convenience for all occupants.
The 13-inch infotainment system is the star of the interior, representing a significant advancement over the previous version. The intuitive interface, quick response to commands, and clear graphical organization make the use of the system a pleasant and fluid experience. Wireless compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay expands connectivity options, while the retention of physical buttons for essential functions demonstrates Skoda’s concern for ergonomics and practicality. The 15-watt wireless charger for smartphones, located in the central console, is another detail that highlights the attention to detail and the pursuit of convenient solutions for everyday use.
The 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, with an improved display, provides clear and customizable information to the driver. The sporty front seats, featuring contrasting red stitching and a bucket-type design, offer excellent lateral support during more spirited driving, contributing to the racing atmosphere of the interior. The carbon-fiber-like details on the central panel and the use of Dark Chrome on metallic surfaces elevate the level of sophistication and sportiness within the cabin. The black interior roof and aluminum pedals complete the ensemble, creating an engaging and stimulating environment.
Unmatched Interior Space and Practicality
The interior space of the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS is truly generous, both in the front and rear seats. Passengers of all heights will enjoy ample legroom and headroom, even on longer trips. The liftback version offers an already impressive trunk capacity of 600 liters with all seats in use, and 1555 liters with the rear seats folded (in a 60:40 split). However, the wagon version takes practicality to a new level, with a cavernous trunk of 640 liters with the seats in place and an incredible 1700 liters with the seats folded. This exceptional cargo capacity makes the Octavia RS wagon an unbeatable option for families, travelers, and anyone who values space and versatility.
In addition to the ample space for passengers and luggage, the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS offers various intelligent storage compartments well-distributed throughout the cabin, facilitating the organization of personal items and small belongings. The illuminated glove compartment, front and rear cup holders, door pockets, and the central console with armrest contribute to practicality and comfort on board. The electric operation of the trunk curtain in the wagon version is an additional detail that demonstrates Skoda’s attention to detail and pursuit of solutions that simplify users’ daily lives.
Exciting Engine and Performance
Under the hood of the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS lies the well-known 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, a proven powerplant within the Volkswagen Group that has powered various models of the brand over the years. In this application, the engine delivers the same power as the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI: 195kW (265 hp) and 370Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electronic limited-slip differential. This mechanical setup ensures an exciting and agile performance for the Octavia RS, with vigorous accelerations and quick recoveries.
The increase in power of 15kW over the previous version of the Octavia RS resulted in a two-tenths-of-a-second improvement in the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h for both body styles. The liftback now hits the mark in 6.4 seconds, while the wagon does it in 6.5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. These figures confirm the sporty character of the Octavia RS, which stands out in the high-performance family car segment.
The seven-speed DSG transmission offers quick and precise gear changes, both in automatic and manual mode via paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The electronic VAQ limited-slip differential contributes to traction and stability in corners, especially during stronger accelerations. The sporty exhaust system, with a deeper sound than in the previous version, adds an extra touch of excitement to the driving experience.
Balanced and Enjoyable Driving Dynamics
The 2025 Skoda Octavia RS maintains the philosophy of offering a fast, comfortable, and accessible car, rather than a radical hot hatch with stiff suspension and aggressive behavior. This balance between sportiness and comfort is one of the main strengths of the Octavia RS, making it a versatile option for everyday use and moments of fun behind the wheel. The sporty suspension, lowered by 15mm compared to other versions of the Octavia, provides a good compromise between agility and comfort, effectively absorbing road irregularities while ensuring stability in corners.
The steering of the Octavia RS is precise and communicative, providing good feedback to the driver and allowing fine adjustments to the trajectory in corners. The electronic limited-slip differential aids traction when exiting corners, minimizing front wheel slip. In extreme situations, such as sudden accelerations on uneven surfaces or high-speed corner exits, some loss of traction may be noticed on the front wheels, even with the electronic driving assistance systems activated. The absence of an all-wheel-drive (4×4) version may be felt in these moments, but overall, the Octavia RS displays exemplary dynamic behavior.
Optional features for the Octavia RS include the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping system, which allows for adjustments to suspension stiffness in different driving modes. However, the standard suspension already offers an excellent balance between comfort and control, making the DCC an optional feature that most users can forgo. The cabin’s sound insulation is effective, minimizing wind and tire noise, contributing to comfort on long journeys. In summary, the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS provides an enjoyable and balanced driving experience, combining sportiness with comfort and practicality.
Standard Equipment and Safety
While the exact specifications for the Australian market of the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS have yet to be fully defined, it is expected that the model will maintain the high level of equipment from the previous version, which was already generous in standard items and offered a desirable list of options. The European version tested in this article already features an impressive equipment package, including a 13-inch infotainment system with navigation, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, Matrix LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, sporty seats, dual-zone air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and various driving assistance systems.
In terms of safety, the current generation of the Skoda Octavia received a maximum five-star rating in the ANCAP safety tests (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) in 2021, and it is expected that the 2025 Skoda Octavia RS will maintain the same level of safety. The results from ANCAP testing were impressive, with 92% occupant protection for adults, 87% for children, 79% for safety assistance, and 73% for vulnerable road users. The standard safety equipment list includes front, side, and curtain airbags, a knee airbag for the driver, autonomous emergency braking (Front Assist), lane-keeping assistance (Lane Assist Plus), predictive adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistance (Predictive Cruise Control), tire pressure monitoring, and blind-spot detection.
Maintenance Costs and Warranty
The 2025 Skoda Octavia RS benefits from a superb seven-year unlimited mileage warranty offered by Skoda Australia, which applies to all models of the brand. In addition to the warranty, Skoda offers a fixed-price service package for seven years or 105,000 km, which includes roadside assistance for 8 years or 105,000 km. This service package, coupled with roadside assistance, provides peace of mind and predictability in the vehicle’s maintenance costs.
Regarding fuel consumption, during the rigorous test on the Isle of Man, the average consumption recorded was 13.1L/100km. However, on a more relaxed and representative route for everyday use, the average consumption was 8.9L/100km, a figure more in line with expectations for a sports car of this size. The fuel tank has a capacity of 51.5 liters, and the Octavia RS requires gasoline with an octane rating of 95 to 98 RON.
The Legend’s Shine Continues to Be Intense
The 2025 Skoda Octavia RS presents a few minor reservations, such as the absence of a manual transmission version and potential traction losses in extreme situations. However, these negatives are easily overshadowed by the numerous qualities and attributes of the model. The Octavia RS 2025 stands out as a complete sports car, offering thrilling performance, exceptional practicality, attractive design, a spacious and technological interior, and excellent value for money. The 2025 updates have further improved what was already a brilliant car, solidifying the Skoda Octavia RS as a benchmark in the sporty family car segment.
