“ELEGANT SUFFICIENCY” IS THE RATIONALE for Škoda’s upgraded Octavia Sportline, which slides into the middle place of the mid-size car’s enhanced range this week at the driveaway prices of $46,490 for the sedan and $47,990 for the wagon (both plus on road costs we assume, because the press release didn’t say otherwise).
Positioned between the Octavia Select ($41,490/$43,990 driveaway) and the Octivia RS ($62,990/$64,490 driveaway), the Sportline’s upgrades include improved Matrix LED headlights with Dynamic Light Assist; progressive steering; black Draconis 19-inch alloys; and heated front seats.
The visual enhancements over the entry Select grade continue with Sportline badging; black gloss window trim; metallic black detailing on the front spoiler, grille and wing mirrors; rear spoiler; and a virtual pedal electric tailgate alongside a black metal diffuser.
Within the heated fabric and leatherette appointed front seats come with an integrated headrest beneath a black headliner.
As with the Select and RS choices, Sportline benefits from new safety features such as Intelligent Park Assist; Turn Assist and second-generation Matrix beam headlights.
The larger 13-inch infotainment screen is now programmable with a selection of favourites to allow readier access to functions. There is, of course, the expected Simply Clever features, now enhanced, including: storage box for rear seat passengers; phone box with wireless charging and active ventilation; multi-function pocket with two additional hooks under the luggage compartment cover; 45W USB-C charging ports and Keyless Access now featuring walkaway functions.
And, yes, the umbrella is still to be found sheathed within the driver’s door.
“Octavia Sportline has elements that would look the part in a European luxury car priced at twice the Škoda’s sticker,” Skoda Product Manager Glenn Reid said.
“Sportline is for those who neither want or need the sporting stance and outright pace of the now gruntier RS models – although 250Nm from not far north of idle is going to be more than enough for most customers most of the time.”
“The Sportline is all about elegant sufficiency.”
Every Škoda includes a European-leading seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and affordable pre-paid servicing plans: five-year/75,000km or seven-year/105,000km packs for $2650/$3650 (Select and Sportline) or $2950/$4200 (RS) respectively.