SKODA Octavia I Combi 1997-2004 Photos, engines & full specs

The Octavia I was the first car that brought the Skoda carmaker under the spotlight after being purchased by Volkswagen Group.

Skoda had a good name in the Eastern European market, and it was also appreciated in other Western countries as well. But it was famous for being well-built, not well-engineered. With the Octavia I, everything changed. It was built on the same platform as the Golf, which brought many benefits in terms of engineering and technical solutions. As for the build quality, it was known for being a very dependable vehicle.

Its design was different than anything else produced by the German carmaker. It was designed in the cubist style, with clear lines and angles all over the place. Its rectangular headlights and the slightly taller grille surrounded by a chromed trim were a bold statement for the Czech carmaker. From its profile, the long-roof construction made room for a third side window behind the rear doors, while the tailgate was curved down, trying to fit customers' preferences.

Inside, Skoda installed a pair of bucket seats at the front covered in fabric. Later on, a special version named Laurin&Klement received leather upholstery and better amenities. It offered enough room for three adult passengers in the back, even though the car was crossed by a center tunnel from front to rear. In addition, the split-folding (60/40) rear bench allowed it to get one of the most spacious trunks on the market, with a total volume of over 1,500 (53 cu. ft.).

Under the hood, the carmaker installed VW-sourced powerplants, either gasoline or turbo-diesel. Depending on the version, the Octavia I Combi also got an automatic transmission. Later on, the carmaker added all-wheel drive versions as well.