The Octavia is unquestionably a money maker for Skoda, a Europe-wide phenomenon that has been sweeping the continent since the original debuted in 1996. The latest (third) generation model has also proven highly popular and is still selling well today, despite the fact that it was actually launched way back in 2013. Now an all-new model is on the verge of being launched and we don’t expect it to be a misstep for Skoda. The Czech automaker will want to put its best foot forward with the fourth-gen Octavia since, even though it is not a high-riding crossover, Skoda sells nearly 400,000 units per year in Europe, among its different versions.

However, Skoda has changed its model structure with the release of the new Scala hatchback, and it’s this model that now occupies the spot in the range that was previously taken up by the Octavia. Well, they’re sold alongside right now, but that’s only until the new Octavia arrives. All information seems to point to the fact that it will be sold as a more expensive and more upmarket offering - this is a formula change compared to before when it had to fill the range now occupied by the Scala.

What will the 2020 Skoda Octavia look like?

The Octavia, whichever version we’re talking about, is one those model lines that is easily recognizable regardless of generation. You can clearly see there’s a visual link between the first generation model and the very latest one, so with that being said, we don’t expect any dramatic design changes for the next generation. The car will definitely adopt Skoda’s new style that we’ve seen on the Scala and the Superb facelift. And, while it will definitely be a stylish and restrained car, we don’t expect to be blown away by its look - it will just look modern and dignified as all modern Octavias have.

The grille also looks bigger in relation to the rest of the front end. The headlights and the hood still have the same style creases that have been there since the second generation of the Octavia.

So far we’ve only seen the wagon (estate) model in spy shots and, from the side, it certainly looks like a car one class up. Now that the automaker has the Scala in its range (to fight the Ford Focus, among others) and taking into account the fact that the Superb is just massive, there is room for the Octavia to grow a bit bigger than it was before. The load-lugger version certainly looks vast, and it even looks like it has a bigger wheelbase.

We don’t know what the more popular hatchback model will look like, given that there are absolutely no photos of it anywhere. It will probably retain the sedan-like profile of its predecessors, so much so that very few people who don’t know what it is will notice that it is, in fact, a hatchback.

From the back, it certainly looks a lot like the Superb. Regarding the hatchback version, it is believed it will look a bit more like a four-door coupe, but since we’ve yet to see any photos of it, this is pure speculation at this point.

What will power the 2020 Skoda Octavia?

Skoda is part of the Volkswagen Group, so all engines that will power the fourth-generation Octavia will be shared with other group offerings. The range of engines will be comprised of turbocharged gasoline and diesel mills that power other cars based on the same MQB architecture.

Next up will be the 1.5-liter four-pot TSI and a 2.0-liter TDI diesel. Skoda will most likely still offer two flavors of hot RS model, both powered by 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (one gasoline and one diesel). We, therefore, expect power levels between 115 horsepower all the way up to around 250 horsepower, so regardless of your want or need, you'll be catered to nicely.

It is believed that both mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions will be available, although we don’t have details on either of them as of yet. The only VW group powertrain that currently fits this bill powers the VW Golf GTE, Passat GTE, and, more recently, the Skoda Superb. It is a 1.4-liter TSI engine that, in conjunction with an electric motor, produces a combined output of 215 horsepower.

Regarding the proliferation of 48V mild hybrid tech, VW says it will be part of the EA211 family of power plants (the 1.0- and 1.5-liter TSI engines) and exclusively paired with the double-clutch DSG gearbox. The manufacturer estimates that this will improve a car’s efficiency by 0.4 l/100km. The same should apply for Skoda too, and this will be achieved through the use of unique functions like FMA (Freewheel, Motor Off) mode, as well as predictive assistance which essentially uses the navigation system and adapts to coming speed limits, bends, and obstacles to “make the best possible use of the vehicle's kinetic energy.”

What versions of the 2020 Skoda Octavia will be available?

Well, as we’ve come to expect from Skoda, the manufacturer will offer two special versions of the Octavia, for those that feel the regular models are too ordinary. The first is the Octavia RS, the hot hach (or wagon) version of the car that will feature more aggressive bumpers, side skirts, wheels, and a spruced up interior complete with a sporty steering wheel and sports seats.

We expect the gasoline Octavia RS to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 7 seconds and the diesel in around 8 seconds.

The other special Octavia will be the Octavia Scout. It is a raised, exclusively all-wheel drive model that also comes with styling tweaks to reflect its more outdoorsy character. It will ride on unique wheels not available on any other model in the range and will feature plastic body cladding to make off-road driving less stressful. Inside it will have subtle design tweaks to set it apart from lesser Octavias, as well as plentiful “Scout” badges smattered around.

We also expect Skoda to sell the plug-in hybrid model of the Octavia as the Octavia iV, a special model that will come with unique exterior details to set it apart from other Octavias. If it follows the example set by the Superb iV (and we’re sure it will), the Octavia iV will ride on unique rims designed to improve aero efficiency and it will also feature a fully blocked out (and blacked out) front grille that will hide the door for the charging port.

Current Skoda Octavia vRS vs competition

What else is there to know about the 2020 Skoda Octavia?

We have not yet seen any spy photos of the hatchback model and we’re really wondering why. All the shots of camouflaged, next-gen Octavia prototypes testing are of the wagon, so we’re wondering why Skoda is keeping its look such a big secret. Maybe the car will be turned into an actual sedan (now that the Scala hatch is part of the range), or maybe its look is so radically different compared to what we’re used to from the model that they really want to surprise the crowds at the car’s reveal.

So expect a more luxurious feel than ever inside, and more space too, courtesy of its larger wheelbase. We can’t actually confirm its wheelbase will be stretched, but looking at photos of the wagon model, it does look quite a bit longer than before.

Skoda will definitely not get this model wrong, even though the company has shifted its focus towards SUVs more than ever before. But, even so, the Octavia is one of the company’s bread and butter models, so it’s definitely invested some serious resources and effort into making it as good as it can be. Even with so many crossovers around these days and the shrinking markets for more traditional body styles, Skoda will want to nail the Octavia, to maintain the nameplate’s prestige. Maybe in the future it will use the Octavia name on a new crossover and it won’t want negative connotations associated with it.

The all-new Octavia is expected to debut at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show (2019 IAA) this September.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Skoda Octavia.

Read our full review on the 2019 Skoda Scala.

Read our full review on the 2017 Skoda Octavia vRS.