Skoda Octavia can definitely be called the most popular representative of the Czech car industry: the total output of its 3 generations exceeds 5 thousand units. This model accounts for about 40% of all Skoda sales, and in Russia it is surpassed only by the "budget" Rapid in terms of sales. Needless to say, creating such a high-end-looking car based on a golf-class platform is a truly brilliant idea. But whether the planned Octavia update to the 2017 model year turned out to be brilliant - you will find out in our review!
Design
In life, a restyled car looks much better than in the photo, which is recognized even by the developers themselves. It differs from its predecessor in the first place by the presence of fully LED optics. Original headlights with a new line of running lights appeared in the front of the body, which looks very impressive at a late time of the day. Headlights with luminous notches are divided into 2 blocks specifically in order to visually make the radiator grille longer. The latest LED optics are efficient, but cannot boast of swiveling lenses, like bi-xenon headlights - the beam shape changes only by turning on / off the diodes in the chip.
In the center of the false radiator grille is a plastic panel that hides the active cruise control radar (available in expensive trim levels). In addition, there is a front bumper with expressive air ducts made in the form of honeycombs. There are no special changes on the side, and the design of the lights and bumper has changed at the back, which has acquired a long horizontal rib. In general, the outlines of the car remained the same. Despite the modernization, it’s still impossible to say that the new product is prettier than the old version, but of course, it’s worth putting a huge plus for all-LED optics.
Design
The Octavia 2017 is based on the MQB modular design: it has MacPherson struts with an aluminum subframe at the front, and a multi-link suspension at the rear (for modifications whose power is higher than 150 hp), or a semi-independent beam. All new liftbacks and station wagons for sale in Russia are offered with a package for bad roads - it includes springs and dampers that increase ground clearance by 1.5 cm - up to 15.6 cm versus 14 cm for the European version. As a result of the update, the rear track for cars with a 1.6-liter MPI engine and a 1.4-liter TSI engine has grown by 2 cm, and for a version with a 1.8-liter TSI engine, it has become 3 cm larger, which, however, had no effect on ride comfort. For modifications with all-wheel drive, the diameter of the rear hub bearing has increased.
Adaptation to Russian conditions
Like its predecessor, Octavia 2017 is quite suitable for both good and bad Russian roads, which is associated with a well-thought-out design and optimal ground clearance for this class of car. With all-wheel drive (now installed on liftbacks), the car can be safely operated not only in the city, but also outside it. In order not to freeze in the harsh Russian winter, the new model provides for heating of the front seats, steering wheel, windshield and exterior mirrors, as well as three-stage heating of the rear sofa.
Comfort
At first glance it seems that everything in the cabin is the same as before, but upon closer examination, changes are noticeable. Immediately striking is the abundance of gloss on the center console - in particular, on the dual-zone climate control control unit. The console is adorned with a 9.2-inch touchscreen of the multimedia complex (in the top version), devoid of physical keys - air duct deflectors with a silver trim are located above it. The most affordable versions have a simpler display - with a diagonal of 6.5 inches versus the previous 5. Another tangible innovation is mother-of-pearl plastic and LED contour lighting on the inside of the doors, which makes the interior more elegant and “expensive”. Atmospheric lighting in 10 different colors is a privilege of the top equipment, as is the leather seat upholstery. In the "base" the seats are trimmed with ordinary fabric.
The landing of the driver's seat is very comfortable - the seat has lumbar support and an optional position memory function. Both the first and second row of seats are spacious enough, for rear passengers there are two USB sockets for charging gadgets and a 230-volt outlet (optional). The steering wheel is a multifunctional 3-spoke, with radio and telephone controls, and the dashboard is presented in the form of two analog “wells” of a speedometer and a tachometer with an information display in the middle. The driver also has an organizer for a key and a smartphone, a convenient center armrest and a cooled glove box. The 2017 Octavia's trunk is the most spacious in its segment. At the liftback, the volume of the cargo compartment is 568 liters, and if you fold the back of the rear sofa, it will increase to 1558 liters. (for station wagon 588-1718 l.)
An extended list of electronic assistants is responsible for the safety of the driver and passengers of the restyled model, which includes systems for monitoring “blind” zones (Blind Spot Detect), monitoring compliance with road markings, controlling the distance to the vehicle in front (Front Assist), assistance when leaving reverse parking (Rear Traffic Alert) and active cruise control with a speed limiter (not in all versions), capable of working even in city traffic jams. In the initial configuration, there are only two front airbags, the more expensive version has front side airbags, and “curtains” appear in the top. Driver's knee and rear side airbags are available at an additional cost.
For Octavia 2017, 4 new "multimedia" are available: Swing, Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus - the last two have built-in navigation. All multimedia systems, with the exception of the basic Swing, have touch keys. Each infotainment system supports CarPlay, MirrorLink and Android Auto technologies and is compatible with any mobile device. The Bolero and Amundsen systems have an eight-inch display, the Swing has a 6.5-inch display, and the top Columbus has a huge 9.2-inch screen. The speed and sound quality of any of them does not raise questions.
Skoda Octavia Specifications
The updated Octavia is equipped with 3 familiar 4-cylinder petrol units: a 1.6-liter 110-horsepower MPI “aspirated” engine, a 150-horsepower 1.4-liter TSI turbo engine. and a 1.8-liter TSI turbo engine with a return of 180 hp. The first engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission and meets the Euro-5 environmental standard, while the rest are combined with a six-speed "mechanics" or a 7-speed DSG transmission and comply with Euro-6 environmental standards. ". Depending on the modification, the passport average fuel consumption is from 5.3 to 6.6 liters. for 100 kilometers. Drive - front or full (now with liftbacks).
The new version of the Skoda Octavia in the back of the A7 has seriously grown in size. The car has become more spacious, and the trunk is roomy.
You can compare the linear dimensions of the Octavia of the old version and the new body in these photos, a little higher and lower.
It should be noted right away that the European version of the Skoda Octavia and the Russian one differ in some sizes. Let's say the clearance of Octavia in Europe is only 140 mm, for Russia the ground clearance was increased to 155 mm. But such an indicator as the volume of the luggage compartment has decreased. The thing is that in Europe there is a compact dokatka in the trunk, and in the Russian version there is a full-size wheel. As a result, the trunk volume of the Skoda Octavia in the EU is 590 liters, and in our country 568, that is, minus 22 liters per spare wheel. Detailed specifications of the Octavia in the liftback body are below.
Dimensions Skoda Octavia
- Length - 4659 mm
- Width - 1814 mm
- Height - 1461 mm
- Curb weight / gross weight - 1255 / 1875 kg
- Trunk volume - 568 liters
- Trunk volume with seats folded - 1558 liters
- Ground clearance Skoda Octavia - 155 mm
Our story would not be complete without the characteristics of the Skoda Octavia station wagon, that is, the Combi version. For lovers of pictures and schematic images, there are a couple of photos with the linear dimensions of the Skoda Octavia station wagon.
The length of the liftback and wagon is the same, like other indicators, the difference is mainly hidden in the luggage compartment, which is naturally larger. As in the case of the liftback, due to the full-size spare tire, the trunk volume is slightly reduced. So in the EU, the trunk of a station wagon has a volume of 610 liters, and in Russia it is already 588 liters. Detailed specifications below.
Dimensions Skoda Octavia Combi
- Length - 4659 mm
- Width - 1814 mm
- Height - 1465 mm
- Curb weight / gross weight - 1247 / 1817 kg
- Track front wheels / rear - 1549 / 1520 mm
- Base, distance between the front and rear axle - 2680 mm
- Trunk volume - 588 liters
- Trunk volume with seats folded - 1718 liters
- Fuel tank volume - 50 liters
- Wheel size, tires - 6.5J X 16, 205/55 R16
- Ground clearance Skoda Octavia Combi - 155 mm
It is worth noting that there are still “charged” versions of the Skoda Octavia RS, where the ground clearance or ground clearance is only 128 mm. And the size of the wheels is naturally larger. Plus all-wheel drive Skoda Octavia Combi 4x4, where the mass of the car is due to additional transmission units and assemblies. The dimensions and characteristics of these special versions will not be considered in detail.
As for the technical characteristics of the Skoda Octavia engines, we bring to your attention a detailed table with the parameters of the power units of the Czech bestseller in a new body.
| Characteristics / Engine type Skoda Octavia | 1.6 MPI | 1.4TSI | 1.8TSI | 2.0 TDI | 2.0TSI |
| Working volume | 1595 cm3 | 1395 cm3 | 1798 cm3 | 1968 cm3 | 1984 cm3 |
| Number of cylinders/valves | 4/16 | 4/16 | 4/16 | 4/16 | 4/16 |
| Cylinder diameter | 76.5 mm | 74.5 mm | 82.5 mm | 81 mm | 82.5 mm |
| piston stroke | 86.9 mm | 80 mm | 84.1 mm | 95.5 mm | 92.8 mm |
| HP power | 110 | 140 | 180 | 143 | 220 |
| Torque | 155 Nm | 200 Nm | 250 Nm | 320 Nm | 350 Nm |
| Max speed | 192 km/h | 215 km/h | 231 km/h | 212 km/h | 245 km/h |
| Acceleration to the first hundred | 10.6 seconds | 8.4 seconds | 7.3 seconds | 8.9 seconds | 6.8 seconds |
| Fuel consumption in the city | 8.7 liters | 6.7 liters | 8.2 liters | 6.4 liters | 8.1 liters |
| Combined fuel consumption | 6.4 liters | 5.5 liters | 6.4 liters | 5.1 liters | 6.4 liters |
| Fuel consumption on the highway | 5.1 liters | 4.7 liters | 3.4 liters | 4.4 liters | 5.4 liters |
The data assumes the presence of a mechanical transmission. Naturally, with a gun, these motors are more voracious, and the dynamics are worse. Although the latest generation of advanced DSG robotic machines, which are actively used in the new Octavia, have very good performance, even relative to conventional mechanical boxes.
The clearance of the Skoda Octavia can differ significantly in the factory and improved versions. In order to understand what exactly is best for you, you need to understand what is called ground clearance - this is the distance between the roadway and the bottom point of the bottom of the car.
How to find out the clearance
It is rather difficult to measure this parameter. If your car has not been tuned, the easiest way to find out the data is by using the service book. If there is no book, you can do the following:
- find the lowest point of the front bumper and use a tape measure to measure the distance to the roadway. In this case, the car must stand strictly horizontally on a flat surface;
- the second place from which you can measure is the oil pan. This part is closest to the road, and it is more likely to catch on to it.
Knowing what clearance the Skoda Octavia has, you can correctly calculate whether the car will be able to drive in the chosen place or not. For different models, this parameter may differ.
If measured from the front bumper with a ruler, the Octavia A5 model will have a relatively accurate figure of 21 cm. The Octavia A7 model, regardless of which body the car, station wagon or liftback is made in, will have a clearance of 155 mm.
It is worth noting that for Russian roads this indicator is quite small and creates a lot of problems when operating a car. For example, there is a risk of the bumper catching on the curb, getting hit on the bottom, when moving through the countryside, problems may also arise when driving into some obstacles, such as large speed bumps.
Dependence of comfort on vehicle height
The car in question was originally designed as a family car, its interior is quite spacious, can accommodate up to 5 people, the seats are comfortable, comfortable, have a large number of adjustments for the driver and passengers. However, this is not the only factor that can affect the comfort of movement. Shaking in the cabin is affected by shock absorbers, ride height, road quality.
The greater the ground clearance of the Skoda Octavia, the easier it is for the car to overcome obstacles and the smoother its ride over various bumps. Most models of this brand have a soft suspension, thanks to which getting into the pits for the most part remains invisible to passengers.
What problems are associated with low ground clearance
Skoda Octavia, the clearance of which is low, is designed for movement on the smooth roads of the city, as soon as you leave it and get at least on the side of the road covered with stones, control problems begin.
The machine cannot safely drive over strong bumps, gravel, mud. Stones lifted from the road hit the crankcase, and if it does not have additional protection, it can cause serious damage to the car. They can also leave marks and dents on the bumper. It is not recommended to drive a car on rough terrain. As a result of careless driving, the bottom of the car, bumper, cardan shaft, engine crankcase, rear differential may be damaged. There is a risk of piercing or damaging the gas tank.
Increasing the clearance will help solve some of these problems. Of course, it is impossible to turn a Skoda into an SUV because of its design features, but it is quite possible to make the car a little higher and safer.
Ways to increase ground clearance
There are several ways to increase the clearance of a car. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages, it can add several centimeters to the ride height.
First of all, you can increase the clearance indicators by using larger discs or rubber, the profile of which is higher than the standard one, this will allow you to raise the car by 1-2 cm. light obstacles, drive on a dirt road.
Another effective but technically more difficult way is to replace the car's shock absorbers. For example, you can use the products of the company SDA or Bilstein model B6 / B8. These gas shock absorbers are distinguished by a single-tube design, in contrast to the native ones, which have a two-tube design.
A simple replacement of the standard shock absorber with a tuned yellow series will help raise the car by 10 mm. When driving at high speed, the ground clearance may become lower, but at low speed, the vehicle will rise. Some models of shock absorbers are able to raise the car by 1.5 cm.
Another common way to increase ground clearance is to use special spacers that are inserted under the car's factory shock absorbers. This procedure is acceptable even for a new car that is under warranty. The fact is that the installation of spacers in no way affects the technical characteristics of the machine. The car becomes a little higher, but with this control it does not change at all, other characteristics do not change, the factory warranty does not disappear.
This method will help to significantly increase the ground clearance, adding to the existing one from 3 to 5 cm. This procedure will help protect the bottom of the car from touching random objects lying on the road by the police, reduce the risk of stones falling when driving on a dirt road.
Such easy tuning will be very useful if you get out of the city by car, drive to the country or just park on gravel sites. Such an intervention will help and calmly park, because now the front bumper will not cling to the curb. The bumper can pass over it and not receive accidental damage. When choosing spacers, pay attention to the quality of the rubber from which they are made.
The third method includes replacing standard springs with higher ones, however, this method may be accompanied by some inconveniences, for example, the car will become much stiffer.
Conclusion
There are several quick ways to increase the Octavia's ground clearance, which will take a little time, but you will get rid of a number of inconveniences associated with the proximity of the bottom of the car to the roadway.
Ground clearance or ground clearance Skoda Octavia, as for any other passenger car is an important factor on our roads. It is the condition of the road surface or its complete absence that makes Russian motorists interested in the clearance of the Skoda Octavia and the possibility of increasing the ground clearance with the help of spacers.
To begin with, it is worth saying honestly that real clearance Skoda Octavia may differ significantly from that declared by the manufacturer. The whole secret is in the method of measurement and the place of measurement of ground clearance. Therefore, you can find out the real state of affairs only by yourself armed with a tape measure or ruler. Official ground clearance Octavia is 156 mm for versions 4x4, this figure is 153 mm, and for a charged Octavia RS, the clearance is only 127 mm.
Some manufacturers go astray and claim the amount of ground clearance in an “empty” car, but in real life we have a trunk full of all kinds of things, passengers and a driver. That is, in a loaded car, the clearance will be completely different. Another factor that few people have in mind is the age of the car and the wear of the springs, their “sagging” from old age. The issue is solved by installing new springs or buying spacers under sagging octavia springs. Spacers allow you to compensate for the drawdown of the springs and add a couple of centimeters of ground clearance. Sometimes even a centimeter in the parking lot at the curb plays an important role.
But do not get carried away with the “lift” of the Skoda Octavia’s ground clearance, because the spacers to increase the clearance are focused only on the springs. If you do not pay attention to the shock absorbers, the course of which is often very limited, then self-upgrading the suspension can lead to loss of control and damage to the shock absorbers. From a cross-country point of view ground clearance Skoda Octavia in our harsh conditions, this is good, but at high speeds on the highway and in corners, there is a serious buildup and additional body roll.
It is worth noting that ground clearance Skoda Octavia A5(especially European-assembled cars) is generally 140 mm.
Video about the possibility of increasing the clearance in front.
Any car manufacturer, when designing a suspension and choosing a clearance value, is looking for a golden mean between handling and cross-country ability. Perhaps the easiest, safest and most unpretentious way to increase the clearance is to install wheels with “high” rubber. Changing wheels makes it easy to increase ground clearance by another centimeter.
Do not forget that a serious change in clearance can damage the CV joints. After all, the “grenades” will have to work a little from a different angle. But this only applies to the front axle.
During the tests of all-terrain vehicles, we measure the ground clearance at different points on the bottom (under the engine compartment, at an equal distance from the vehicle axles and in its rear part). Which of the "rogues" is better in this indicator, Maxim Gomyanin has already told. When we take on ordinary cars, we limit ourselves to measuring the clearance under the engine compartment - 99 out of 100, that it is the engine crankcase or compartment protection that is closest to the road. We drive a fully fueled car into an inspection hole, the driver leaves his seat - and then we fix the clearance.
Of the hundreds of models that have passed through our hands, in today's selection we have included only those that are still available in car dealerships. Agree, it is unlikely that the owner of a ten-year-old car has not studied its capabilities, including off-road, up and down - but before buying a new car, you should think about it. It is not a fact that the model you like will allow you not only to go fishing or get to the dacha, but also will not make you nervous when passing speed bumps.
So, in the gallery - our rating of modern cars, whose clearance does not reach 150 millimeters. It included not only sports cars, but also quite ordinary sedans and hatchbacks, from which, as a rule, they expect more practicality.
1st place
Sets an anti-record for the largest ground clearance: during the comparative test, we measured only 110 mm! True, this is the distance from the asphalt to the engine protection, but still I would be careful not to let even seemingly harmless objects pass between the wheels.
2nd place
With its 120 millimeters under the protection of the engine compartment, it ranks second in the ranking. Maybe this is one of the reasons why we have not tried a stylish and more affordable sedan compared to rivals?
3rd place
The Jaguar F-Type SVR, which will be benchmarked in SR 2016, #11, is raised just 125mm off the road. For a supercar with a capacity of 575 hp, in general, it is quite an expected result. shares third place with the Jaguar F-Type SVR - from the beginning of the ranking or its end, depending on what you expect from the car. You can’t blame the Minka for handling, but still this is not a Jaguar supercar - and 125 millimeters, perhaps, is not enough for everyday use. carries the protection of its two-liter turbo engine with 240 hp. at the level of all the same unfortunate 125 millimeters! This is no longer climbing into any gates: hey, British, do you have any calibrated irregularities on your islands?
