Skoda Octavia Select 110TSI Wagon 2025 Review

New medium passenger wagons around $50K are not fast disappearing; they are almost completely gone. The fleet-favoured Ford Mondeo wagon is ancient history, the Mazda6 is in run-out, the petrol-only Peugeot 508 wagon is gone (with even the $80K hybrid in run-out), and the Volkswagen Passat wagon has also packed up and left.

That leaves only the Skoda Octavia wagon, if you want a circa $40-50K, factory-fresh, passenger wagon. The 2025 Skoda Octavia Select 110TSI Wagon tested here costs $41,090 plus on-road costs (ORCs), while the model range comprises three model lines – Select, Sportline and RS – each available as a liftback sedan or, for $1500 more, a wagon.

You can choose from six free exterior colours, while Velvet Red is $770 extra. Each Octavia comes with Skoda’s seven year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty and a seven year/105,000km pre-paid service bundle for $3650. That’s $521 a service, which is not exactly cheap.

We’re not expecting incredible wow-factor features in a $40K wagon, but you do get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, keyless start, paddle shifters, LED exterior lighting, and adaptive cruise control. The features bundle has a strange omission: there is no hands-free keyless entry; you must press the remote to unlock/lock the car. Skoda should either forget about the keyless start too and let you use an old school ignition key while you’ve still got the keyfob out or, better still, incorporate keyless entry so you’re not fumbling for keys every time you use the car.

Exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels and power folding and heated mirrors (auto-dipping on driver’s side), while inside the cabin there’s a leather steering wheel and nice contrasting grey cloth seat upholstery and dash inserts.

The ‘Simply Clever’ Skoda features such as an umbrella, the waste bin in the driver’s door and Cargo Elements (Velcroed plastic pieces that help contain small items on the cargo floor) are all worthy additions.

Infotainment technology consists of a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, voice control, a ventilated 15-watt wireless phone charging pad and an eight-speaker sound system. There are five USB-C ports, including one in the rear-view mirror, which is very handy for dash-cam installation.

Safety is covered by stop and go active cruise control, forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, emergency and side assists, exit warning system, rear cross-traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Octavia was handed a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2022, with ANCAP giving the Octavia 89 per cent for adult protection, 82% for child occupant protection, 68% for vulnerable road use protection and 81% for safety assist features.

The 2025 Skoda Octavia Select 110TSI sources its motivation from a 1.4-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, which is tucked in the engine bay in a transverse fashion. Skoda has eschewed the typical Volkswagen Group automatic of choice (the DSG transmission, an automated manual) for a traditional torque-convertor eight-speed automatic by Aisin. Power is directed to the front wheels only.

To some eyes the 2025 Skoda Octavia Select 110TSI looks boring, probably because it isn’t an SUV, but personally I think this wagon has an attractive, crisp exterior design. Features such as active cruise, the digital dash and a long list of safety items are a pleasant surprise at this price point.

The long, seven-year warranty is impressive for a Euro brand, as is the general fit and finish and use of materials. The application of grey material to dash and doors in particular lifts the interior ambience.

The safety and tech features are good offerings, with most of what people expect in a new car at this price point. The infotainment screen and dash screen have logical menus and don’t lag. Having a spare wheel under the load area, even if it’s a space-saver, offers peace of mind for travellers not wanting to get stuck with a damaged tyre in the middle of nowhere.

The engine is responsive and quiet, while the auto gets about its business smoothly for the most part. The ride and handling compromise is quite good, with a fairly supple if not lush ride quality and predictable handling.

The interior is a generous size and is comfortable for four occupants at least; the front buckets in particular are supportive and comfy for long stints. The load space offers great amenity with quick-release back seat folding, reversable wet mat, shopping hooks, tie-downs, cargo net and the already mentioned Cargo Elements. With 640 litres with seats up, or 1700L with rear seats folded, this is a good cargo area size for a family wagon.

The 2025 Skoda Octavia Select 110TSI’s lack of keyless entry is a strange cost-cutting omission (that can be fixed by spending $5000 more for the Octavia Sportline), while the cost per service for pre-paid servicing is not exactly a bargain.

Reflected road noise and some dash rattles were surprising for what is otherwise a quiet cabin. While the Octavia has a conventional eight-speed auto, progress is not as smooth as it could be in slow parking situations.

While it probably won’t see much use, the rear centre seat is high and hard to sit on. Fuel thirst was a bit higher than expected, with an average of 8.1L/100km on test.

It’s a shame that such a practical and sensible vehicle silhouette like the passenger wagon has become outmoded. Yet, if you want or need the combination of ride, handling and space in an affordable non-SUV wagon, you literally only have one choice: the 2025 Skoda Octavia.

Luckily, the Octavia fills the brief well. However, as when buying any new $40K-plus vehicle in 2025, it’d be nice to see keyless entry added to the Octavia’s spec sheet, and pre-paid service costs that were a little more modest.

2025 Skoda Octavia Select 110TSI at a glance:
Price: $41,090 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 140g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)

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