Home › Skoda › Skoda Octavia 2019

Skoda Octavia 2019 review

Hatchback Petrol

Skoda Octavia 2019 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The facelifted Mk3 Octavia is the used family car to beat on value. Skoda revised the styling, with the split quad headlights that mark out the 2017 to 2020 facelift, and a 2019 car sits near the end of the Mk3 run before the Mk4 arrived in summer 2020, so it gets the most developed version of the car at a fraction of the price of its replacement. The 1.5 TSI 150 SE is the pick of the range: WhatCar names it the favourite, and it is the mainstream petrol most UK buyers actually chose.

Its 1.5-litre EA211 evo engine makes 150 PS and 250 Nm, with cylinder deactivation that shuts down two cylinders under light load. It reaches 62 mph in 8.3 seconds and feels flexible rather than frantic, which suits the car perfectly. Official economy was 57.7 mpg on the old NEDC test, with WLTP figures of roughly 42 to 51 mpg depending on specification, and owners typically see mid-40s mpg in mixed UK use.

Space is where the Octavia embarrasses rivals. The liftback boot holds 590 litres with the seats up and 1,555 litres with them folded, which is bigger than many estate cars, and rear legroom is generous for a family hatchback. SE trim brings dual-zone climate control, 16-inch alloys and front fog lights as standard, and the cabin is quiet and comfortable on a long motorway run.

As a used buy, the checks are specific. Test the 1.5 TSI from cold for the jerky pull-away owners call kangarooing, and ask whether the ECU software update was applied, because it was never a recall. On DSG cars, check for low-speed judder and full service history, and inspect the coolant level and temperature behaviour, because the water pump and thermostat housing are a known MQB weakness. Check any outstanding recalls by VIN with Skoda or the DVSA, including the 2019 airbag recall R/2019/210 and the October 2026 steering-bolt recall that may cover this build range.

UK price from: £20,935

Specifications

Engine	1,498cc EA211 evo turbo petrol, 4-cylinder (DADA)
Power	150 PS (148 bhp) @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
Torque	250 Nm @ 1,500-3,500 rpm
0-62 mph	8.3 seconds
Top speed	139 mph
Fuel economy (NEDC combined)	57.7 mpg
Fuel economy (WLTP combined)	c. 42-51 mpg depending on spec
CO2 emissions	112 g/km
Gearbox	6-speed manual (7-speed DSG optional)
Boot space	590 litres (1,555 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	c. 1,220-1,280 kg depending on spec
Insurance group	20E
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2013 test; rating expired Jan 2020)
Fuel tank	50 litres

Features

590-litre boot, 1,555 litres with rear seats folded
1.5 TSI 150 petrol with ACT cylinder deactivation
Dual-zone climate control as standard on SE
16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lights
Huge rear legroom for a family hatchback
Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating (2013 test)
Optional seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (axle set)	£35	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Front brake discs (pair)	£85	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Clutch kit (manual, incl. release bearing)	£230	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Battery (12V)	£120	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Wiper blades (front pair)	£22	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Oil filter	£9	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Water pump and thermostat housing	£160	Parts only, typical retail estimate; fitted average c. £389 verified via WhoCanFixMyCar

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Class-leading boot and rear space for the money
Strong, flexible 150 PS petrol with mid-40s real-world economy
Low insurance group 20E for a car of this size
Comfortable, quiet motorway cruiser
Excellent used value, with £12,000 to £14,000 buying a low-mileage 2019 car

Cons

Kangarooing hesitation on early 1.5 TSI manuals if the software fix was never applied
DSG can judder and is expensive if the mechatronic unit fails
Interior is solid but plain and dark next to rivals
Water-pump and thermostat failures are a known repair bill

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI reliable?

Generally yes. The Mk3 scores well in reliability surveys, but check the 1.5 TSI kangaroo software fix was applied and look at the DSG service history on automatic cars.

What is the kangarooing problem on the 1.5 TSI?

A cold-start jerking and hesitation when pulling away, mainly on manual cars. VW Group fixed it with an ECU software update, but it was not a recall, so confirm the update was done on the car you buy.

How big is the boot on the 2019 Octavia hatchback?

590 litres with the seats up and 1,555 litres with them folded, which is bigger than a VW Golf and close to many estate cars.

What MPG does the 1.5 TSI really do?

Officially 57.7 mpg on the old NEDC test, with WLTP figures of roughly 42 to 51 mpg depending on specification. Owners typically see mid-40s mpg in mixed use.

Is the 2019 Octavia ULEZ compliant?

Yes. The 1.5 TSI petrol is Euro 6, so it is compliant with London ULEZ and clean air zones. Verify the individual car on the TfL checker by registration, as always.