Perhaps trying to prove that ugliness is only skin-deep, Skoda has fitted the Octavia with more advanced connectivity and assistance systems.
Perhaps somebody on the board of Skoda directors owns the old Mercedes E-Class and loves it, because that would explain both why the 2017 Octavia facelift looks the way it does and why the updates are called Infotainment Online services and Care Connect Services.
Just like Opel's OnStar, Care Connect features automatically calls the emergency services in the event of a crash. Hopefully, there's a way to turn that off when you borrow your father's car and don't want him to know about the fender bender. The Octavia can also contact the dealer in the event of a breakdown or the other way around. Here, the owner is contacted by the dealer before the vehicle’s service is due.
The Infotainment Online suite seems a lot more useful. For example, it uses the internet to provide real-time traffic flow information along the route you selected. Likewise, it offers the cheapest gas in the area, the weather and available parking spots.
The owner can also choose to sent destination details from his computer or phone to the nav, saving time. And, of course, the latest niceties like Google Earth, Google Street View, and Online Map Update are included.
While we're on the subject of your phone, the Skoda Connect app needs mentioning. Its features include opening and closing the doors, Parking Position, Honk & Flash, or Area Notification and Speed Notification that inform the owner if the vehicle is moved without authorization.
The Octavia facelift's final party trick is an active safety suite that includes predictive pedestrian protection as part of the optional Front Assist. There's also Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert, Trailer Assist like on the Tiguan and Maneuver Assist, which automatically stops the car if you're about to crash into something while reversing.
Do these things make the 2017 Octavia any less ugly? Arguably not, but this was never a car aimed at people who appreciate design.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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