SKODA Octavia Combi 4x4 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Skoda launched a facelifted version for the Octavia's third generation to comply with the Euro6d emission standards and the 4x4 Combi version was also upgraded.

Ever since the car's first generation was developed under Volkswagen's umbrella, the compact Czech vehicle was available with an all-wheel drive version. In 2012, when it launched the third generation of this nameplate, it did that again and kept it on the production line even after the facelift, which occurred in 2017. Unlike its Octavia Scout sibling, which was a crossover version, the regular Octavia 4x4 aimed at customers who needed the vehicle for snow-covered roads and didn't need higher ground clearance.

The front of the car shared the front fascia with the regular station wagon version, with its unmistakable and polarizing split headlights system. Skoda claimed that the idea came from the cubist design trend that was envisioned by artists such as Josef Chochol, Pavel Janak, or Vladislav Hofman. Also flanked by the headlights was the main grille that was fitted with 14 vertical slats, and the radar for adaptive cruise control and other safety features took center stage. The extended roofline and the optional tinted rear side windows were part of the Combi (station wagon) package, and so were its new LED taillights with smoked lenses.

Inside, The Czech carmaker introduced a new infotainment system with either a 6.5" or a 9.2" touchscreen on the center stack. The 2017 Octavia also featured improved active and passive safety systems, such as traffic sign recognition or City Emergency Brake, including Pedestrian Protection. Fortunately, the addition of the all-wheel drive system didn't affect the interior space, so the owners could enjoy the 610 liters (21.5 cu-ft) of trunk space with the rear seats up and 1,740 liters (61.4 cu-ft) with the rear bench folded down.

The vehicle was fitted with a Haldex all-wheel drive system consisting of a multi-plate clutch mounted in front of the rear differential. Only the Octavia 4x4 benefitted from the nameplate's lineup's most powerful gasoline and turbo-diesel engines.

The Octavia was the biggest success model for the Skoda brand. It was built on the Volkswagen Golf platform since 1996, and that was the first generation built under the German car-maker group.

The third generation of Octavia under the Volkswagen management was launched in 2013 as a hatchback and a station wagon. Since 1996 it was the leader in its class regarding the interior space. It was based on the Volkswagen Golf platform and that didn't change ever since.

The 2013 station-wagon was a compact vehicle with huge interior trunk space for its class. It has received, like its predecessors, an all-wheel-drive variant. The grille shows the 21 vertical slats and it was placed higher than the previous generation. From the side, the long roofline featured roof-rails and it was ended with a small roof spoiler on top of the tailgate.

The interior was well equipped as a standard version and could have been upgraded with an 8" touch-screen monitor that featured a proximity sensor on the center console. The MQB platform on which the vehicle stands was ready to receive an all-wheel-drive system. That variant had a slightly shorter wheelbase than the regular, 2WD version. The trunk space was of 610 liters (21,5 cu-ft) and could have been extended up to 1740 liters.

For the engines, there were four variants: one gasoline turbocharged with direct fuel injection and three turbocharged diesel units. For the 1.8-liter TSI gasoline engine, a 7-speed DSG (dual-clutch) was fitted as standard. The TDI units were offered with manual or 7-speed DSG, depending on the version. The all-wheel-drive system was equipped with an electronic differential lock and a Haldex 5 system.

The Czech carmaker Skoda introduced the second generation of the Octavia 4x4 crossover in 2006 and facelifted along with the rest of the range in 2009.

While the world financial crisis was still cutting down jobs and closed factories around the world, Skoda was doing ok. It was priced lower than most of the European competitors and offered the same German technology as a Volkswagen. Moreover, the 4x4 version built on the same base as the Octavia allowed the carmaker to enter the crossover segment with a good offer.

The facelifted version featured new headlights that were not very appreciated, but they still made a noticeable difference compared to its predecessor. Depending on the options, the car was available with a reinforced suspension to cope with rough roads, but it wasn't a crossover. For that, Skoda offered another version named Scout.

Inside, it was the same roomy Octavia Combi (station-wagon) with plenty of room for five adults and one of the biggest trunks in the compact-segment. The carmaker installed a new infotainment system and attached a cradle next to the mobile phone center stack.

The Octavia Combi 4x4 featured a small choice of engines, both gasoline, and diesel under the hood. For selected versions, it was available with an automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox.