Do I replace my 2008 Toyota Corolla with a new Skoda Octavia

Had initially shortlisted the Kia Seltos & Hyundai Creta.

BHPian S.Vats recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey guys! I'm a proud owner of the 2008 Corolla Altis and the car has been an absolute delight to drive around. But sadly it's approaching its EOL and I was looking for a worthy upgrade to the outgoing sedan.

Hence, the search began with a Rs 20 - 25 Lakh budget. For the lack of good sedan options in this range, we shortlisted Creta and Seltos. Then my mother suggested that if we can stretch the budget a little further, Octavia can be a good option. TD'd the L&K and boy, oh boy! The car is super impressive. We loved the car a lot, especially since all of us in my family prefer performance and drivability, over laid-back cars. For this reason, we bought Jeep Compass back in 2017 too.

So we're considering Octavia L&K now and had a few questions:

1. Is there a difference between the 2021 and 2022 models? The dealer offered the 2021 model to us, in case we were interested.
2. How is Skoda's service these days? I've read so many horror stories on this forum and received mixed (more good than bad, to be honest) reviews from friends and family. Some say the service has improved too. After Sales Service can be a deal-breaker for us. Ownership experience from someone in Delhi will be very helpful too.
3. What's the average service cost?
4. Lastly, are there any better options according to you?

Thanks a lot!

Here's what BHPian KI07 had to say on the matter:

There is no option better than the Octavia below 35 lakhs according to me,

In a world full of pseudo-SUVs, the Octavia is what actually a car is and is supposed to be and look like.

Here's what BHPian umairalvi had to say on the matter:

I am sharing the below points based on my experience over a 5 year period of a 2017 Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI

1. The only difference between the two is the presence of an anti-theft system with interior monitoring. More details in the link:
2. Skoda's service has definitely improved and isn't horrific anymore. I have had a decent experience over my 5 years of ownership. However, I hail from Hyderabad and cannot comment on the NCR situation. The service is satisfactory largely due to the fact that Hyderabad has a lot of MkIII Octavias.
3. The service interval is 15,000 km / 1 year. Don't expect Toyota levels of service charges for the Octavia. The average service cost over a period of 5 years should come around 15-20k per year; add to it a few repairs (wear and tear ones like brake pads etc). It sets you back by a few thousands every year, but in my opinion, it's more than worth it for a car that drives this well. However, if you get unlucky and get a DSG failure, the replacement cost is around 1 lakh but it's generally covered under warranty. Skoda claims that the new DQ200 gearbox is more reliable though.
4. Currently no. Unless you want to extend your budget to 35 lakhs and get the Superb.

Here's what BHPian Karvel had to say on the matter:

Hi Vats,

Since 1st is already answered, giving my perspective for the 2nd and 3rd questions. I have a 2017 TDI auto.

• Service is generally good. Done 4 yearly services and a couple of in-between ones for Sunroof lubrication/Battery Change/front windscreen change/AC compressor change under warranty. Did all these in Jai Skoda Gurgaon. So far so good. Quick and prompt. Other than trying to upsell windscreen wiper fluid and 3M dry cleaning, nothing unnecessary had been pushed or added to the bill. Same day service - 4 to 5 hrs cycle. Was informed on extended warranty and 5/6th year service packages and facilitated on getting these. Have a Hyundai and had a Maruti Vehicle till now. Nothing much of a difference in service levels.
• Cost per service is in the range of 12-15k per year, individually. Got the 4yr service pack in the beginning with a good discount and the 5/6th Yr pack at Rs 24k, which includes all consumables/labour and tax. So far, including the 6th-year package, the cost has worked out to be around 8k per year, due to the initial scheme given by Skoda. Else it would be around 11k per year.
• Nothing much in this range, as a sedan. If the budget can be stretched, then Superb or A4.

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