Skoda moves to address 37pc sales slump

IN ADDRESSING a serious sales slump Down Under of more than 37 per cent in 2024, Skoda is embarking on a marketing push to move more metal in 2025, starting with the Octavia Sportline.

Like Volkswagen Australia and Cupra, which also dropped the ball sales-wise last year, better news is on the way for Skoda with some new blood in the form of incoming new models.

First cab off the rank is the mid-spec, mid-size Octavia Sportline that is upgraded for 2025 and is now offered at $46,490 drive-away for the sedan and $47,990 drive-away for the wagon.

It nestles between the Skoda Octavia Select ($41,490 and $43,990 d/a) and the Octavia RS ($62,990 and $64,490 d/a) in what Skoda Australia hopes is a sweet spot for buyers.

The Sportline’s upgrades include improved Matrix LED headlights with Dynamic Light Assist, progressive steering, black Draconis 19-inch alloys and heated front seats.

Sportline grade already specifies visual enhancements over the entry model – dedicated badging, gloss black window trim, metallic black detailing on the front spoiler, grille and wing mirrors, rear spoiler and a virtual pedal electric tailgate alongside a black metal diffuser.

Inside we find a black headliner and heated fabric/leatherette front seats with an integrated headrest.

On the safety front, the Octavia Sportline gains new safety features such as Intelligent Park Assist, Turn Assist and second-generation Matrix beam headlights.

There’s a larger 13.0-inch infotainment screen that is now programmable with a selection of favourites to allow readier access to functions and Skoda’s signature Simply Clever features.

These are enhanced for 2025 and include a storage box for rear seat passengers, phone box with wireless charging and active ventilation, multi-function pocket with two additional hooks under the luggage compartment cover, 45-watt USB-C charging ports and Keyless Access now featuring walkaway functions.

Not forgetting the expected sheathed Skoda umbrella in the driver’s door pocket…

“Octavia Sportline has elements that would look the part in a European luxury car priced at twice the Skoda’s sticker,” said Skoda Australia product manager Glenn Reid.

“Sportline is for those who neither want or need the sporting stance and outright pace of the now gruntier RS models – although 250Nm from not far north of idle is going to be more than enough for most customers most of the time.

“The Sportline is all about elegant sufficiency.”

In addition to promotional activity surrounding Octavia, Skoda Australia has released more details on its new generation seven-seat Kodiaq SUV in Select and Sportline grades due here next month (March), with the RS version further down the track.

Highlights include “greatly enhanced ergonomics and appreciable gains in spaciousness”.

The new model scores 15-watt fast charging for two phones with a cooling pad, premium ergonomic front seats with ventilated and massage functions, new-gen 13.0-inch infotainment screen and enhanced head-up display.

Third row seating is more spacious (+15mm) as is the luggage compartment particularly with the third and second rows folded flat.

ADAS kit includes Traffic Sign Recognition 3.0 with intelligent speed assist. Predictive Speed Limited recognises road signs and uses navigation data to take control of the throttle and prevent exceeding the speed limit.

Smart Dials combine the easy access of manual adjustability with configurable options within.

Riding on 19-inch alloys, the Kodiaq Select comes in a choice of seven colours or shades, including the striking Bronx Gold. The Sportline’s hero colour is Velvet Red.

Moving to the Sportline we find it rolls on 20-inch alloys, featuring additionally Dynamic indicator function on the rear taillights, driving profile section, premium sound, heated steering wheel, black accents and sports seats.

Skoda Australia says the new Kodiaq, “looks, feels and functions like the wholly new generation vehicle it is”.

The 2025 model is “a significant step forward, Kodiaq and the later arriving Kodiaq RS will remain Skoda’s premier petrol-powered range as the brand’s SUV showroom expands mid-year to five model lines”.

“Skoda will within a matter of months offer customers a choice from three petrol SUV models or two electric SUVs – the updated Enyaq and all-new Elroq,” said Skoda product manager Aline Carrullo.

“Wagons, sedans and hatchbacks remain part of our DNA, but this multi-sized SUV offering in either ICE or BEV form is very much where Skoda customers want us to be in 2025.”

The Ultimate Package (optional) adds Dynamic Chassis Control, Virtual pedal at rear, progressive steering, descent control, power front passenger seat with lumbar adjustment and memory, head-up display, rear heated seats, intelligent park assist and surround area view camera.

Kodiaq Select and Sportline are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with all-wheel drive via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

2025 Skoda Octavia pricing*:

*National drive-away pricing.