Quicker and spacious: Skoda Octavia vRS facelift driving REVIEW

[@autogefuehl]

►Shop for merchandise: autogefuehl.shop/ ►Subscribe here: kzbin.info ►Also subscribe to our KZbin shorts channel: www.youtube.com/@thomasautogefuhl?sub_confirmation=1 ►Follow us on Facebook / Instagram / TikTok @autogefuehl ►Sustainability in the automotive industry documentary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2nKf4uih6yhnaMsi=bCdeJZORRHNcVmV2 This is our in-depth review of the 2025 Skoda Octavia vRS facelift. We're taking a look at Exterior, Interior and the driving experience. 00:00 Octavia vRS facelift 01:31 Length, wheels, suspension 03:47 Light signatures 04:18 Interior quality 05:18 Seats and comfort 06:29 Cockpit 08:20 Driver POV 09:52 Rear seats features 13:52 Trunk / boot 17:51 Engine 18:33 Acceleration Autobahn 20:14 Suspension and comfort 25:37 Assistance systems 27:48 City driving 29:10 Fuel economy mpg 29:25 Price #Skoda #skodaoctavia

[@eponymous7910]

This is all the car most of us will ever need. Practical, more than enough power and decent fun on a twisty road

[@dragospahontu]

Get a used E class?

[@heyhey3887]

@@dragospahontuwhat if you want that new car warranty? And I'm yet to see a family merc that has limited slip differential

[@dragospahontu]

@@heyhey3887 if you go new there is also the Kia Proceed which has more warranty and costs less.

[@julianroberts5407]

Thomas is by far the best car reviewer on KZbin. He always gives a balanced, humble presentation, in stark contrast to 90% of UK car reviewers, who, for some reason, also think they are comedians!!!!!

[@autogefuehl]

thanks for the support m8 !

[@mtz5582]

I did not know that some other viewers have seen this... God bless Thomas for.his humble approach..no swearing as well unlike most UK's who think swearing is just a norm

[@Cernold]

Skoda is like: -how many trunk floor layers do we need? - YES

[@autogefuehl]

haha yes =)

[@framauro3167]

The best car review channel on YT ever!

[@autogefuehl]

Thank you so much! Please recommend / share our channel and our videos 🙏

[@freeskier175]

Absolutely. All the others are annoying with copy and paste delivery.

[@JCW-jx6ld]

True

[@autogefuehl]

🙌🙌

[@kakotokakoto2746]

We need car review of Tomas after a few drinks because his humour would come to surface. 😁

[@adamek9750]

So many cool features, this might be my favourite car

[@michaelstaunton1632]

A brilliant all rounder vehicle really good I must say so top job Skoda 👏👏👏

[@wurf5336]

Skoda made the best progress in interior in the last 10 years! Honestly it feels like Audi inside

[@rkan2]

Only missing multilink and longitudinal engine like in 3B Superb :D

[@mirceaalexandru400]

:)))) audi a1 maybe

[@rkan2]

@@mirceaalexandru400 Have you not seen the most recent Audis? Hard plastic fantastic and you pay 50k+ :D

[@Corcioch]

I have been very critical of Skoda since owning a Superb several years ago, but selling it due to ridiculous interior cabin noise, and finding the same in the Fabia my wife had and the older Octavia....BUT, this new model Octavia has made a huge leap forwards in interior comfort and refinement, and cutting road noise right back. I've driven one extensively and it really is good. Not as good as my A4 yet but a huge step forward. Suspension dampening is very good too, but it looses control badly in a couple of scenarios only, but still this is a great car.

[@MrNisipeanu]

Fun Fact: The hatch has a biger boot opening than the Estate; so, if look for carrying bulky items, (like a MTB) , go for the hatch. I tested myself

[@autogefuehl]

the opening indeed, only that the back end part is a little flatter, thinking of the handlebars when they are lying sideways? Works anyway caus its big enough :)

[@UhOhUmm]

I have the previous gen estate and it fits large frame 29 inch mtb just fine. So both work.

[@MrNisipeanu]

@@autogefuehl The right position of carrying a bicylce, is with the handlebar on the left rear seat. This is due to the rear derraileur that should stay on top (it's very sensitive) . For inserting the bike in the car, it's important to have an opening between the ceiling and floor, of at least 80 cms. It's easier to lay it down in hatch than insert like in a drawer (for estates)

[@ionutgeanta8741]

i would like to have those head rests on plane seats, not just the back seats (and maybe in the future on the passenger front seat)

[@paulwardzynski3265]

Great comprehensive review (as usual) of a really good all-round car.

[@autogefuehl]

Thank you so much! Please recommend / share our channel and our videos 🙏

[@EnsYlmaz51]

it looks fantastic, I've always liked Skoda cars

[@Zeeraha]

Probably the most overall practical car model on the market, with the best buy price at the same time.

[@povicollege3055]

I love your HUMOR!!! 🙂 Keep it up Thomas!! I love you!

[@autogefuehl]

Thank you so much! Please recommend / share our channel and our videos 🙏

[@asheyconnect17]

Best car review channel on YT combining the best all-round car on the market 😊👍🏻

[@autogefuehl]

Thank you so much! Please recommend / share our channel and our videos 🙏

[@JG_CBR]

The review I've been waiting for! Excellent vocabulary. I have a 2019 245 version and will for sure be upgrading to this once they hit the second hand market 👌

[@autogefuehl]

cheers m8 !

[@loukasantoniou8054]

vrs diesel awd with a dsg was probably the best everyday and sporty affortable family hauler you could buy. Practical economical reliable well built and fast.

[@JuanParilli]

Good Review, impressive how practical it is despite being a sports scheme, greetings from Chile

[@autogefuehl]

thanks m8 !

[@panagiotisnikoloudakis4949]

❤❤❤ The rocker shifter is where it should be, dials are big and round as they should be. Infotainment is big with clear graphics. The seats are super comfortable, rear space good and comfortable, massive boot, nippy 2.0cc engine. Can’t fault it. One of the best all rounders for a family. Who needs an EV? And I am not against EVs. Skoda if you listen keep making this legend (has been one since the 1st generation). Thx for reading my post just a humble VRs fan 😊

[@malsmith2012]

Absolutely beautiful! Imagine this AWD with the GOLF R tune.. I'd buy one in a heartbeat!

[@MarcDestiny]

I know will probably never get the Octavia in Jamaica, but I would really love to get maybe the UK version. It’s such a great car. I love the sedan/fast back version.

[@timolive1]

Got almost 2000 km on mine now and I couldn't be more pleased :)

[@autogefuehl]

cool enjoy!

[@skkane]

Gotta love all those Skoda accesories, great practicality! Price is a joke, but all new car prices are.

[@TheCarGuru]

We would love this for the U.S. market!

[@runawayronnie]

The sleep pack was an option on my Skoda. Just wondering what happens under hard braking or during an accident? The passenger's head will be thrown forward then thrown backwards at speed. Isn't there a real risk of serious injury if your head is thrown back onto a 'bull horn' as you put it? I'm guessing none of the cars Skoda sent to NCAP had the sleep pack fitted.

[@autogefuehl]

hmmm interesting point, gotta check that

[@gu5800]

We enjoy your tubs every times.

[@autogefuehl]

cheers m8 !

[@dasteknoviking]

Got a pre-facelift version of the car with every single option - including a manual transmission, 3 years together and no real issues except for the infotainment. Not looking to change since there are no choices left for us manual/wagon/sporty enthusiasts anymore.

[@autogefuehl]

Enjoy!

[@dasteknoviking]

​@@autogefuehl I will, having speced a car just like mine on the Skoda Deutschland configutator - 60k Euro! I paid almost half that in 2021 for mine. You demo was missing power memory seats with massage which are excellent I must say. Needless to say, no manual transmission, few small changes... Only thing I want is the new infotainment system as the one in my car is a bit mehh. Looks like my 21 RS-Plus is gonna stay around for a while.

[@Mogsy28uk]

cracking review Thomas, could be my new car next year, if i decide to not to go for a Gen 7 Outback. Pity its not AWD, and has a bit of gloss black plastic that 'nobody wants' and no electric seats 😱😱!! Now stunt filming might increase your viewing stats 😉😉

[@autogefuehl]

=)

[@colonelccccc]

Looks good, but Skoda is now multiplying package options and adding subscriptions to them, while Chinese automakers are increasingly offering fully equipped cars with choices for color and rims included. It’s no surprise VAG is struggling.

[@erikvz6437]

Great car! Do you know why the extra compartiment on the tunnel between the rear Seat isn’t findable in the brochures? Will also fit on the prefacelift in believe.

[@sirfred2678]

This car is great but all the details have been changed were better in pre lift version like lights appearance and even main board speedometers visuals.

[@ollydan]

Felt in the door bins, nice. Don’t even get that luxury in a 5er these days!

[@dasteknoviking]

You mean the new Bmw Camry?

[@thestaubful]

9 in the moprning and you drop another video. Nice :)

[@autogefuehl]

enjoy your day!

[@nickandsue1]

Factory order for me, build week next week. I have a MK4 vrs at the moment so I know what I am getting. It's pretty fast, it's pretty spacious, and I can carry 2 weeks worth of holiday luggage in it and all my fishing gear. Plenty of car for all situations Glad I went for the red as it looks good! Some reds look a bit washed out. I think the aero will be coming off the wheels, they are two tone underneath

[@DaveReynolds-iv1ny]

when did you order yours ???, still waiting for a build slot for mine, ordered mid Sept

[@nickandsue1]

@@DaveReynolds-iv1ny around 24th August, didnt get a build date notification until 8th October, there will have been a load of them ordered beacuse they were offering a very generous deposit scheme at the time hatch, velvet red, canton and rear wiper! will not be using the aero inserts for the wheels, a set of gloss grey bolt covers and some centre caps! the wheels are two tone why cover them, I suspect its a european thing, all the chinese and taiwanese reviews didnt have them one, wheels look fine without them

[@andreitudoroprea9733]

I f?cking love this car!

[@ZackTauhid]

A moment like this ❎ A bottle like this ✅😂 Wish Skoda is in my country Great review as always 👍

[@autogefuehl]

😎👍

[@clubbizarre]

the speed warning sounds has already helped me once evading a speeding ticket. the speed in a tunnel was reduced from the usual 90 down to 70, but i didn't pay attention. was driving 90 and the car complained. i realized in time i was speeding and slowed down in order to bring the average speed below 70 and avoid getting flashed

[@DEViLz1976]

About the logo RS the "v" is not the letter V in fact is the pontuation present on the mark "Škoda" on the letter Š, so that is why the knowners of this brand call the Sport Racing version of Škoda tha RS version and not vRS.

[@autogefuehl]

The difference between "RS" in Germany and "vRS" in the UK for Škoda primarily comes down to trademark and linguistic reasons. 1. Trademark Reasons: In the UK, the abbreviation "RS" was already long associated with Ford, which had models like the Ford Focus RS and Ford Escort RS. To avoid legal issues and reduce the chance of confusion with Ford's sports models, Škoda decided to add a "v" before "RS" in the UK, branding its sporty models as "vRS." 2. Consistency in Other Markets: In Germany and most other countries, "RS" as an abbreviation for "Rally Sport" was generally available and closely associated with Škoda, so the brand could simply use "RS" without the "v." 3. Meaning of the "v": The "v" in "vRS" officially stands for "Victory" and is intended to emphasize the sporty and performance-oriented focus of these models. Over time, "vRS" became established in the UK, while in Germany and other markets, "RS" was sufficient.

[@Cloxxki]

You'd think that after many decades of wagon, someone would put some effort into make the rear seat actually fold flat. That's ~90 liters lost right there, and loads of practicality that could have been.

[@scollyutube]

It does, he just had the headrests down. They need to be extended.

[@오명환-r6c]

이런차를 한국에 출시 해주세여 합리적인 가격 놀라운 성능 너무 조아요

[@czGone]

Props for pronouncing Škoda correctly 👌

[@autogefuehl]

Thank you so much! Please recommend / share our channel and our videos 🙏

[@scollyutube]

Which means the Koduaq vrs when it comes out will have this motor too, cool.

[@scollyutube]

No torque numbers Thomas? Hasn't that increased also?

[@DaveReynolds-iv1ny]

Can't wait for mine to arrive 🙂 please hurry up 🙏

[@Arinis.ltd.]

Thomas is a bit extra funny today!. That Red Bull joke is actually funny 😅

[@otomoravec1732]

I liked the preciousss wiper fluid :D

[@autogefuehl]

=)

[@MrCsluggo]

Wow skoda thinks about everything such clever details!

[@wujekadam2554]

This door mounted trash bin is super practical. I have one and take it to each new car. Trust me Thomas, a lot of handkerchiefs fit there :-)

[@autogefuehl]

hehe =)

[@sorinr649]

Indeed nice❤ and packed with gimmics to distract you from big prices.

[@mirozhekov8220]

Is there 4x4 coming for this version of Ocatavia?

[@pavelholub8668]

4:56 I would use that for handkerchiefs, chewing gums and maybe candy foils or something

[@wurf5336]

🔥22:36 awesome to see 100 - 200 🔥pls include it in all videos

[@adamruckl8100]

Thomas, there is no sound actuator in Octavia RS now. We have used the real sport exhaust for this time :-)

[@autogefuehl]

hmm really? Lemme recheck

[@maciejgruca9845]

@@autogefuehl I was really wondering if they removed fake sound or should we still use individual profile to get rid of the engine fake sound. That could be helpful to know 😊

[@adamruckl8100]

​@@autogefuehlthere is no need to recheck, I was the chief engineer for the Octavia facelift - soundactor is definitely not there

[@adamruckl8100]

​@@maciejgruca9845good news, no need to deactivate anything. Soundactor cancelled

[@mattshelvock8212]

​@@adamruckl8100is that for all market models? "vRS Electronic engine sound" is still listed as standard equipment in the UK brochure for the facelift?

[@gregorygant4242]

Thomas are these still made in the Czech Republic now or some other country in Europe ? Nice practical hatch !

[@julianroberts5407]

Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic

[@autogefuehl]

in Czech Republic indeed

[@deividasvisockas]

it has manual seats? in 2024 and cost 40k+?

[@attorneyBG]

What Octavia is better to choose - 2.0TSI 4x4 or RS?

[@superfitcs4005]

Pls review the sedan version of same

[@henrik1743]

Work as a traveling salesman and hate my company has a stupid car policy with Co2 values.. No shot to have one of these :(

[@slapshot0074]

So,felt in the skoda door bins but not in the audi rs3! Unbelievable.

[@dasteknoviking]

If you want a premium car, you buy a Skoda 😂

[@general236]

Hey Thomas, would you also get the DCC for a Golf Variant R-Line? Or it's not needed?

[@autogefuehl]

For MQB always

[@general236]

@autogefuehl is it reliable, or can I expect some repairs when it goes out of warranty? I expect to keep the car for a long time, probably 8 years or more

[@autogefuehl]

hmm i didnt hear that DCC is not reliable, it's more about the general reliability of VAG cars that has not been especially good in the recent years.

[@Fastwunz]

I do wish they would give it a little bit more power - 285 or so

[@the_pegasus_gaming]

Hai Thomas bro. Kylaq has launched in India today. Can we expect that in Germany also?

[@autogefuehl]

Hm never heard of it, what is it?

[@the_pegasus_gaming]

@ A new sub 4 meter SUV was launched in India today by Skoda named kylaq. It looks goods and cheap also. It will be nice if we get that in Germany for the same price 🤗

[@Tibooore]

56000? In Slovakia I ordered a liftback almost fully spec (without rear airbags and head-up display) for 45000 and with some discounts it went down to 39500. Pretty high price there 🙂 but really good review. Thank you for that 🙂

[@schwink1470]

German prices. I paid 35k for liftback with a few addons.

[@autogefuehl]

cheers!

[@gaycha6589]

This could be best vw group car based on this platform. From a Golf R owner..,,😮

[@Arinis.ltd.]

Now I don't mind if a company cheapens on rear door plastic quality, or saves money by integrating the AC controls into the screen, if they will give us that much of smart and usable features! Well done Skoda.. just put a better looking exhaust next time please 😅

[@MrQuashu]

Hola, hola Tomas, in Poland we also love estate more than sedan 😁 .

[@autogefuehl]

=)

[@ofirs5830]

5:00 small trash bean for sunflower seed or pistachio shells. (-:

[@rtemmiroshnichenko6733]

Thomas i’m a bit scared for you. When Lia sees that you having great time filming with some Michele, joking around etc, you might have some non-pleasant conversation at home 😅

[@autogefuehl]

haha =) Michel is he so thats np ;-)

[@cobhamlondon]

Will be maybe a test of "new" Mazda Mx-5 ??

[@wod.van2z]

Hopefully the seats are improved in the new generation. The sport seats in previous gen Octavia RS and Superb Sportline are bloody awful in my opinion and experience.

[@leonardhaven]

Gorgeous!

[@alexk.7250]

13:40 If you fall asleep while driving neck pain will be the least of your worries :D

[@the_pegasus_gaming]

Germans are not only making best cars they make best car reviews also. Well done Bruder.

[@lubosmotl5200]

It is a Czech car. Sadly, the Czech brand is the only one that works in the German-registered VW group now, it made 1/2 of the group's profits last quarter.

[@the_pegasus_gaming]

but in that comment I didn’t mentioned skoda. I meant BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz.

[@lubosmotl5200]

@@the_pegasus_gaming I know, that is why I wrote my comment which surely did mean Škoda. Among the BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Škoda brands, the Czech one was the only one that had a significant profit margin last quarter, all the others are struggling and it is apparently getting worse. Those who follow the new car reviews such as this one are not really surprised, however, but Škoda is also the only brand that - despite the success of its EV - remains skeptical about the transition to EVs (although the BMW has partly seen the light by now, too). There are tons of reasons why the German-registered brands are approaching the abyss.

[@autogefuehl]

highly appreciated m8 !

[@mtz5582]

Can you get a RHD for this !!!

[@autogefuehl]

yes ofc

[@pjordi]

The rear number plate is not centered ! Why SKODA, why!?

[@FGGiskard]

I don't really get the criticisim over exhaust tips. They are not "fake" if it's serving a purpose of ejecting exhaust gases. Plus having the exhaust pipes completely exposed could be very bad in case of small crashesthat might otherwise only affect the bumper.

[@nickandsue1]

You didn't mention your nemesis this time..the Skoda umbrella

[@autogefuehl]

hehe did I really forget them in the long format? Did a couple of reels with those

[@heyhey3887]

I love the concept but I have mk4 pre facelift and the build quality is bad. Even ŠKODA will admit they dropped the ball on the mk4 😢

[@Prazneek]

I bought a grey one with ergo seats, dcc and 19inch wheels. It's way more comfortable than the 2016 vRS model I drove before. I love it.

[@autogefuehl]

enjoy!

[@kabanmf]

Oh Thomas, wir wohnen dicht beieinander :) Darmstadt-Frankfurt, oder?

[@autogefuehl]

waren wir nur für das Review :)

[@Sipu79]

nice to see the return of physical buttons in both the steering and basic controls over the touch-garbage

[@tilengojic9780]

ford has copyright logo dispute with skoda because of RS? hmmm... there is renault rs... porsche rs...audi rs... no dispute with ford... why has only ford decided to pick on skoda...

[@autogefuehl]

Good point, maybe its a thing when it stands alone vs different when its TT RS or 911 GT3 RS

[@herbst963]

Just always keep in mind: Octavia IS NOT a Passat Is a Golf ❤

[@biggkoz]

I find it funny that Europeans try to say that this car is not a VW and or Audis aren't anything like a Seat and etc etc

[@SonOfTamriel]

Lucky Europeans!!! From boring car country Canada with love

[@lubosmotl5200]

The German ˇRS logo looks very similar to vRS but it is not. In Germany, the logo is pronounced "ein gross-Hatschek RS" bitte. ;-)

[@djpunisha29]

Thomas are you worried about German car industry and Volkswagen future?

[@autogefuehl]

for sure the next years wont be easy. It's not that they will go bankrupt or smth, but gains will be way lower and profitability especially in China is shrinking

[@mk3tsi]

Thats crazy to to be excited for gas struts. I mean I bought them from aliexpress for 20euros, literally the same ones. Idk why any car manufacturer wouldnt put them by default

[@lukenfoci]

If they save £2-£3 on each car just on gas struts (and probably save more), you can easily count how much savings they are doing.

[@MrCsluggo]

Why does Thomas seem so tall and the skoda looks like a miniature car

[@ravenheart369]

The front is like the designer suddenly scribbled the design

[@bi5048]

that wheel looks pretty but difficult to clean

[@j.l.r.9255]

When the review in spanish? Thk u!

[@autogefuehl]

working on it :)

[@kunnartur]

Thanks for the review! I've been driving the facelifted vRS (mk4.5) for a couple of weeks now and before that I had the pre-facelift vRS (mk4). I thought that they removed the fake sound generator from the facelifted vRS? On the previous vRS the fake sound was very noticeable (in sports mode) but at least you could disable it in the "individual" setting. There's no option for disabling the sound generator in the "individual" setting and hence leading me to believe that perhaps there's no more fake sound generated. But even if the sound generator is still there, Skoda has done a really good job with it because I can't tell anymore if it's fake or not. :D One quality of life feature I do miss though on the facelifted vRS: there's no keyless entry (locking/unlocking by touch) on rear doors anymore. :( Other than that, there's a lot of stuff to like about the facelift.

[@doctoremil2678]

You can easily deactivate the fake sound. All you have to do is: first, disconnect the battery; then open the fuse box, and pull out fuse no. 59. The fake sound module has its own fuse, and pulling it out will not affect any other part of the car. Just remember to put it back in before getting the car serviced at an official dealership if it's still under warranty, because their diagnostics can detect that the fuse is out.

[@kunnartur]

@@doctoremil2678 There seems to be a bunch of other stuff connected to that fuse so I wouldn't dare to remove it. However, in the manual of the mk4 vRS the sound generator is listed under the fuse no 59. In the manual for the facelifted version, there's no sound generator listed under this fuse and nowhere else in the manual. So perhaps there is not sound generator on the facelifted vRS?

[@doctoremil2678]

@@kunnartur It exists on the facelifted version as well, Thomas could hear it. The only other ways to get rid of it are to dig into the bulkhead next to the wiper motor and remove the sound generator outright (that's where it should be), or to buy VW's diagnostics kit and hack the car's onboard computers. I suppose you could ask your local official dealer to deactivate it for you, but I doubt they would actually do it even though they can.

[@autogefuehl]

I ll recheck on that !

[@Jaroslav.]

4:53 chewing gums :D

[@zelcpavle5494]

Skoda the best from VW 😅 And i would still get the diesel 200hp...way better Mpg and enough torque with power !

[@michaelschneider-]

Often better value. .. The funky rear headrests are one example. 12:50

[@zelcpavle5494]

@michaelschneider- 😄👍

[@cliffburtonnkardesiyim3725]

Poor man’s RS4 ❤❤❤

[@GoHighOctane500LC]

I like the front end more than the screwed up BMW's.

[@Account1746]

Crazy engine to put in there, stage 1 and it wouldn’t be a bad car at all

[@JohnGuidetti751]

It’s had the 2L EA888 for ages.

[@biekken849]

Nice car but the sport seats are tacky.

[@ph2363]

why is the superb with that engine so much quicker

[@lukenfoci]

4x4 - better acceleration from the start due to better grip.

[@Dutchindovinare]

Shköda?

[@autogefuehl]

correct Czech pronunciation