Skoda Octavia VRS IV - 6 good & 6 really bad things about owning this car

[@babasdadda]

I have an Octavia IV hybrid sport Line ( same spec as vrs, just 40 hp less ). Love the engine, looks and feel. Annoying when in my radio favorites and I change station, it takes the next station from the whole list, not my favs! Lane assist is definitely something Skoda need to address. All in all though, I love it, and the looks it gets!!

[@car_babble]

Hi there. Glad you like your car and agree on the radio favourites! How is the infotainment in your one for glitches?

[@babasdadda]

@@car_babble I find that the infotainment just needs to “warm up” a bit before use. It’s definitely not the quickest system, but otherwise I’m quite happy with it. Like your channel and content! Have a good one 👍

[@greezoid56]

Hi Ewen . I had a 70 plate mk4 delivered Jan 21. Full of software problems , freezing screen for days , ACC seeing things that weren't there and applying brakes. Sat nav showing my current position 5 miles from real position. SOS function regularly calling emergency services. It was in the dealers over 20 times and off the road for around 40 days of the near 18 mths i had her. Its a shame as she drove so well. I finally rejected the car and moved to Hyundai N. That was my 3rd and final VRS and wont be going back to the brand as they used me and others as full paying beta testers of their software and refused to acknowledge the problems. For any other buyers , look to see the software version and dont touch anything below version 1806

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the detailed feedback. Sorry you had such a bad experience and I think that's good advice for people who read this. Skoda have lost what made them great, in my opinion - no nonsense practical cars. Now just feel like over priced, over complicated VWG products. Still love the Superb though!

[@sgp161571]

I had infotainment issues with my 71 plate VRS Iv. Car came with 1804 software but was updated to 1896 which solved all my issues.

[@car_babble]

Interesting mate... If they fix the software that removes a big issue with this car.

[@TheGerhard1969]

Totally agree the infosystem is bad. It makes you look around for a nother car. Great film btw

[@car_babble]

Thanks a lot. It's a real shame VW Group product infotainments are so bad!

[@WhiteGoldtube]

I absolutely love my 2023 VRS. The 2.0l with front diff drives amazingly well and eats up corners, plus it's fast too. It's very practical and spacious enough for the family and when I'm driving alone makes my daily commute fun. Plus skoda finally designed a great looking car and all the above brought me to my first skoda. No software issues (fingers crossed) so hopefully they've sorted out the teething issues that followed the launch of mk4. I'm very impressed with the car but only after making these ESSENTIAL ENHANCEMENTS: Traffic Sign Recognition so dynamic cruise control adjusts to speed limits (£63 via skoda connect shop), disable the hidious fake engine noise and put Lane assist into memory mode (via obdeleven one click apps). Enjoy!

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the comment. Glad you like the car and sounds like by 2023 maybe they'd sorted out the gremlins! What sort of mpg does the petrol return?

[@stum8760]

Great review ! I’m waiting for my VRS tdi estate to be delivered. Cannot wait !

[@car_babble]

Great choice suspect that's the best all-rounder. Thanks for watching

[@neiltinkler987]

i totally agree about how annoying it is about the lane assist and the auto stop start having to turn them off everytime you start the car but yet the climate system it remembers how you have it set. loving my VRS great solid car, no regrets.

[@siitan83]

toyotas have the same thing. Lane assist is completely useless, because it doesnt really work. and cant turn off permanently

[@anthonymillar6183]

Had 2022 vrs tdi numerous issues with infotainment system and my new car needed a new reverse camera after 3 months 😂 I’ve 2024 model now 2 months now and no issues fingers crossed 🤞🏻 it stays like that 👍

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the comment. Glad it sounds like they've fixed these issues but for many they'll probably just not bought another of the same car so good on you for doing so

[@RiminiVirage]

Great review. I have a 72 plate Seat Leon 1.5 e-tsi engine, so mild hybrid. Same issue as your Skoda under braking, one or two narrow escapes where it just doesn’t slow down quickly enough and I find myself having to brake harder than usual to stop. Absolutely detest the lack of air con physical controls. The voice control can be used but is fussy. The on-screen controls are a ball ache to use. Alas not much choice as a company car.

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the comment Richard. Yes, I feel like the VWG have taken their eye off the ball a bit on some of the basics.

[@MrPADDYOT]

Great video. I had shortlisted the VRS Combi (estate) as my next car but I've decided against it because I've seen several reviews where the infotainment system is slated. I personally know someone whose brand new (non VRS) Octavia was back with the dealer several times trying to remedy various issues with the safety/infotainment systems and general rattles and squeaks in the car. Eventually ending in a replacement vehicle. It's just not acceptable in a 'premier', new car like this. Awful pity because I was so looking forward to owning one.

[@car_babble]

Sorry mate I missed this comment somehow. I feel you on the infotainment. It's just not acceptable. Good luck with your chosen replacement car.

[@martinpix5592]

get the mk3 facelift 2018-2000 model the infotainment system works perfect, you can turn off lane assist permanently and the seats are not as wide, has same lights and other useful features, don;'t get the petrol it is stupidly expensive to run had one hated it I could see the fuel needle moving anti clockwise literally, Diesel is nearly as fast ultra reliable very cheap to run also the mk3 had nicer 18" alloys than the new ones which look far cheaper plus you save at least 10k. Avoid any hybrid cars nothing but problems you spend far more in repair bills than you will save recharging a battery diesel's do more MPG and more reliable.

[@TX200AA]

Lane keep assist was forced on all car manufacturers. It's a poorly thought out system, but if you get an OBD11 gizmo it can be set to off or to memory mode, so that turning it off on the screen will keep it off on restart, but leave you able to put it on again if wanted.

[@car_babble]

That could be a useful mod!

[@DrPepper22222]

Thank you for this video, my impressions of the octavia are similar I have a 70 petrol vrs. In particular the problems with the infotainment, which is terrible. The car itself is great though - can you tell us more about the hybrid and how it's going with that. Can you drive round town on electric only? What's your petrol mpg like. Cheers

[@car_babble]

Thanks for your comment! Glad we are on the same page about the issues. The infotainment just spoils such a great car. I don't actually have the car now but you definitely could drive in full EV for a good while depending on the temperature outside. Unlike my Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV, the vrs iv does let you burn through your battery. If you check out my other video on this car I talk about mpg more.

[@Naeromusic]

I have a superb iV, lane assist is on/off on startup depending on your setting before turning off, very strange that is not the same on the octavia

[@car_babble]

Hi. Thanks for the comment. I think the Octavia moved to a newer operating system where as the Superb is due to have a new model soon. I'll be the new Superb will not let you switch it off.

[@Naeromusic]

@@car_babble fair enough. I wonder if you could code it like with vcds or obdeleven

[@stan_austin]

I’ve had my mk4 vrs petrol for about a month, having traded in my mk3 vrs. Overall I love the car, but the infotainment system, in particular the sat nav, is a bit cr*p. The built in sat nav on the mk3 was great, how they can mess it up so much for the mk4 is beyond me. I just use Apple CarPlay now. Also little things like the radio station logo doesn’t appear on the screen unless I manually select it, general bugs etc… I’ve had the screen go totally black once, and had to do a full system reboot to sort. I’ve got it in Velvet red and it looks amazing, I get a lot of comments from people about how far Skoda has come etc… For me it’s the perfect family car… Massive boot and quick, just a shame about the niggles…..

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the comment and sounds like we agree on quite a lot about this car. The petrol one I reckon would be so perfect barring the infotainment so hope you enjoy it!

[@diljitjedi]

The entertainment panel I did hear about this problem another issues with the centre console that's why I won't be buying one what a damn shame

[@car_babble]

Yeah it's such a fail, isn't it?

[@Mickytdi]

Have my vRS 6 months now. No problems with the infotainment.

[@car_babble]

What year was yours?

[@Mickytdi]

@@car_babble built March 2024

[@car_babble]

@Mickytdi yeah that explains it. Few refreshs since the one I had. Fixed a lot of issues I gather.

[@Mickytdi]

@@car_babble yeah i was on the latest software 1969. I believe another one has just been released.

[@Mickytdi]

@ ha ha had a chuckle about your rant about the lane change. I used obd11. It now remembers my last setting 👍🏻

[@DiscoDaveTheRave]

Good use of the two props on the back seat 😂

[@car_babble]

They'd love to be in more videos!

[@IkeAndoit]

How does the battery last on long trips? Can you drive it in hybrid mode for a full tank or do you have to use it sparingly or risk running out of battery?

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the comment. Check out my main video on my channel about this but basically you'll not get very far on pure EV range. 20 - 30 mile. If you drive in hybrid mode you'll manage probably 50 - 80 miles with battery assistance, but definitely not for a full tank of petrol.

[@grle8232]

Thanks for nice review. I have an 2022 octavia rs petrol (245 hp) and I am quite happy with it. For this noise from door panel try to take out ambrella or brush from door pocket (what ever you got with car). I did the same and it was breakthrough 😉😉

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the comment and if I still had the car I would definitely try that! 😎

[@davidstorer6868]

You can select switch between favourites in thr radio settings section on mine Anyway, it's a good car but I've had enough of it already the infotainment system and lack of air con actual buttons is infuriating

[@car_babble]

Hi David that's interesting and it's possible I missed that but certainly wasn't an obvious feature. Sounds like the infotainment annoys you as much as me though!

[@andrewwardle-bu9yx]

matrix lights standard in latest shape skoda karoq sportline , they are brilliant...

[@car_babble]

They are one of the best things about the VW Group now I think!

[@siitan83]

how do you turn the fan/clima off? they removed the button, is there a short way? I do that 1-2 every 2 minutes in city...

[@car_babble]

So long since I had the car I can't honestly remember sorry

[@paullloyd9902]

Can you not update the software on the infotainment system to remove all the bugs?

[@car_babble]

Hi Paul, yes I think software updates will probably help. You shouldn't need to, though, for the system to work.

[@irishproduce8697]

Great video mate , I have the 245 petrol 2018, and there's a few items like that in mine but I think it's just a Skoda thing, 😂

[@car_babble]

Thanks mate! Yes Skoda thing or VW group perhaps 🤔

[@irishproduce8697]

Yeah VW group I mean 😀,, the badge on top of the engine is Skoda but if you remove it there's a VW badge underneath,, so your bang on mate 👍

[@michaelpan2972]

Skodas lane assistance is freaking scary. Annoying as hell you can’t shut it off.

[@car_babble]

Yeah I don't rate their driver assistance tech. Compared to my old Volvo, not a patch on it.

[@davidwescott2632]

You can turn it off. Press right hand scrolling wheel roll twice and press again,cancels it.

[@car_babble]

@davidwescott2632 I know this. It just doesn't stay off.

[@davidwescott2632]

Lane assist, simple, INDICATE!

[@car_babble]

I don't want lane assist on!!!