New Octavia priced to please

Škoda Australia has announced an ultra-competitive $21,690 (plus on-road costs) starting price for its new Octavia range.

The Czech brand has also unveiled competitive drive-away deals on all models, with entry-spec manual models available on-road from as little as $22,990.

The third-generation Octavia was launched in Europe in January but with pricing like this it seems the wait has been worthwhile.

Replacing the previous 32-model hatch and wagon range, Škoda’s new-generation Octavia is available in sedan (hatch) and wagon formats. It is offered with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine, and is presented in three trim grades: Ambition, Ambition Plus and Elegance.

The Octavia range kicks off from $21,690 (plus ORCs) for the manual Ambition sedan -- that’s $3300 less than the previous entry-spec Octavia 90TSI -- and tops out at $36,740 (plus ORCs) for the top-shelf Elegance wagon.

Ambition models are fitted with a trip computer, front and rear foglights, daytime running lights, 16-inch Tecton steel wheels (with matching spare), a Swing four-speaker audio system, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, and cloth upholstery.

An option package dubbed Travel Pack, is also available on Ambition models for $1300. It includes rear parking sensors, cruise control, four additional speakers (for a total of eight), a front-centre armrest and 17-inch Denom alloy wheels (with space-saver spare).

Stepping up to the mid-grade Ambition Plus -- and in addition to / instead of those features found on the Ambition grade -- are Passenger Protect Assist and Driver Activity Assist safety systems, 17-inch Denom alloy wheels (with space-saver spare), a Bolero touch-screen eight-speaker audio system, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

Finally, on the top-rung, is the Octavia Elegance. In addition to / instead of those features found on the Ambition Plus, this model includes as standard static cornering front foglights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a coloured multi-function display and 18-inch Golus alloy wheels (with space-saver spare).

The new Octavia flagship also comes with a Columbus eight-speaker touch-screen audio system with sat-nav, 64GB hard-drive and voice control, plus dual-zone climate-control, folding side mirrors, front parking sensors and leather upholstery.

Depending on the grade, optional equipment includes an electric tilt and slide sunroof, combination cloth and leather upholstery and 18-inch Alaris alloy wheels (with space-saver spare).

Both Ambition Plus and Elegance models are further offered in combination with an optional Tech Pack for $3900 on Ambition Plus models and $3300 on Elegance models.  

This adds adaptive cruise control with Front Assist and City Emergency Brake, bi-xenon headlights with active cornering function, washers and LED daytime running lights, static cornering function front foglights, LED tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers (Ambition Plus only, already standard on Elegance), Driving Mode Selection, Automatic Parking Assist with front and rear acoustic parking sensors, keyless entry and push-button ignition with alarm, and a premium German Canton 10-speaker sound system.

Skoda has further bolstered the new Octavia range with the introduction of capped-price servicing, which sees selected models receive scheduled servicing from $269.

All models are further offered with drive-away pricing, as listed below, with wagon variants commanding a $1350 premium across the line-up.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our launch review, including full technical details, of the new Škoda Octavia range.

2013 Škoda Octavia pricing (plus on-road costs):
Octavia Ambition 103TSI sedan -- $21,690 ($23,990 DSG)
Octavia Ambition Plus 103TSI sedan -- $24,490 ($26,790 DSG)
Octavia Elegance 103TSI sedan -- $32,190 (DSG only)
Octavia Elegance 132TSI sedan -- $34,590 (DSG only)
Octavia Elegance 110TDI sedan -- $35,390 (DSG only)
Wagon variants add $1350

2013 Škoda Octavia drive-away pricing:
Octavia Ambition 103TSI sedan -- $22,990 ($25,290 DSG)
Octavia Ambition Plus 103TSI sedan -- $26,790 ($29,090 DSG)
Octavia Elegance 103TSI sedan -- $35,490 (DSG only)
Octavia Elegance 132TSI sedan -- $37,990 (DSG only)
Octavia Elegance 110TDI sedan -- $38,790 (DSG only)
Wagon variants add $1350

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