The Skoda Octavia RS is back and it didn’t even need to try hard to get attention. Priced at INR 49.99 lakh ex-showroom, this fully imported CBU costs well over INR 60 lakh on-road in Mumbai. And despite that eye-widening sticker shock, Skoda sold out every single unit allocated for India in minutes.
We drove it at the Buddh International Circuit, and here’s the quick, honest verdict.
Design
Skoda knows how to make sporty cars look purposeful without going overboard, and the new Octavia RS is exactly that. The trademark butterfly grille, gloss-black accents, sharp crease lines, and that subtle VRS badge all work together without screaming for attention. The LED DRLs with the “Crystalline” signature look premium and clean.
The side profile continues the understated charm. 19-inch alloys, red brake calipers, neat proportions.
The rear is classic Octavia, sleek LED tail-lamps, gloss-black diffuser treatment, a sharp lip spoiler and twin exhaust tips that are real.
Interiors
Step inside and it’s a completely different personality. The cabin feels properly sporty without feeling juvenile.
- Bucket seats with red stitching and Alcantara-like inserts
- A tasteful mix of suede, carbon-fibre-style panels and soft-touch material
- A clean dashboard layout
- A well-sized touchscreen that feels premium and responsive
- A beautifully executed digital instrument cluster with crisp graphics
- Canton audio, memory seats, wireless charging, and enough storage
What stands out is the driving position. With tilt & telescopic steering and extensive electric seat adjustability, you can dial in your preferred setup in seconds.
Performance
Under the hood sits a 2.0L turbo-petrol putting out 261 bhp and 370 Nm, paired with a 7-speed DSG and front-wheel drive.
Numbers aside, the real magic happens when you actually push it.
On the Buddh International Circuit, the Octavia RS felt instantly at home. The DSG snaps through gears with crisp throttle blips. The car rockets to 200+ kmph on the straights without ever feeling nervous. The chassis balance is beautifully neutral, the steering is sharp and communicative, and the brakes inspire real confidence.
Through fast corners, it genuinely feels like it’s on rails. There’s no float, no hesitation, just clean, predictable behaviour. Flick left-right-left and the RS responds like a well-trained athlete.
Despite being FWD, torque steer is minimal. And when you drive normally in D mode, the RS behaves like any comfortable European sedan, almost too calm, considering what it can unleash.
Everyday Usability
People often assume cars like this are tiring in city traffic. Not this one.
The ride isn’t punishing, the gearbox is smooth at low speeds, visibility is good, and the cabin insulation is excellent. Even being chauffeur-driven is surprisingly comfortable if you push the passenger seat forward.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Skoda Octavia RS is one of those rare machines that can genuinely do both, daily duties and track thrills. It’s practical, spacious, understated, and brutally quick when you want it to be. No wonder it sold out instantly.
Is it expensive? Absolutely. Does it justify its price? If you’re the kind of person who gets excited by steering feel more than soft-touch plastics then yes, every bit.
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