SKODA Octavia II 2004-2008 Photos, engines & full specs

Skoda unveiled the second generation of the Octavia at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, and it proved that the success recorded with its predecessor was not an accident.

Built on the PQ35 platform used by the Volkswagen Golf V, the Octavia II was a significant step forward for the Czech carmaker. While the first generation looked more like a budget car, its successor was already in a different league. Volkswagen already prepared Skoda to compete against more notorious carmakers such as Renault, Opel, or Fiat. Skoda was no longer the Cinderella of the VW group.

The Octavia featured a bolder front fascia with a tilted backward grille with vertical slats. Its wedged-shaped headlights followed the cubism design trend and created a corporate identity to the Czech carmaker. Like its predecessor, it featured a hatchback-style bodywork with a sloped liftgate at the back. Its taillights sported a clear C-shaped reversing light, which stood from “Clever”.

Inside, it was bigger than some mid-size sedans on the market. At the front, the new dashboard featured curved lines and aluminum trims on the door panels and the center stack. Its center console was tall and sported a decent storage compartment and the gear-stick (or the gear selector for the automatic transmission version). The Octavia offered seating for five with two bucket seats at the front and a split-folding bench in the rear, which expanded the trunk from 560 liters (19.8 cu-ft) to 1,420 liters (50.1 cu-ft).

Under the hood, Skoda offered a choice of seven engines carried over from Volkswagen. The carmaker paired them with either a manual or an automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox, depending on the trim level and power.