Skoda Octavia Taxi Review 2024
Practical, efficient, and packed with smart technology. The Skoda Octavia ticks all the boxes of a great taxi.
Models available from The Taxi Centre
| Powertrain | Petrol | Petrol |
| Transmission | Manual or automatic | Manual or automatic |
| Dimensions | Height – 1,470mm Length – 4,689mm Wheelbase 2,686mm |
Height – 1,470mm Length – 4,689mm Wheelbase 2,686mm |
| Boot space | 600 litres | 600 litres |
| Fuel economy | 50.1 – 51.9 mpg | 49 – 64 mpg |
Design: Exterior and interior
The Skoda Octavia taxi is available as a hatchback or estate depending on your needs. Choose from a range of exterior colours including Velvet Red, Moon White, and Brilliant Silver. As well as Graphite grey, and Black magic pearl-effect.
Featuring a bold, aerodynamic design, the bonnet of the Octavia is framed by the chrome grille surround and LED headlights. For extra privacy, the SE-L version features rear privacy glass as standard.
As standard, the SE trim features 16” Velorum wheels and the SE-L comes with 17” Rotare Aero alloy wheels. But you can upgrade to 18” alloy wheels on the SE-L version.
The spec of the interior will vary based on the trim level you choose. The SE trim includes cloth upholstery, and a two-spoke leather multi-function steering wheel. As well as aluminium decorative inserts. There are also height-adjustable and lumbar-supported front seats.
The SE-L trim includes microsuede upholstery, heated front seats, and chrome air vent surrounds. In addition to a microsuede padded dash panel.
Technology
Enjoy everything you need for a safe and connected drive with a Skoda Octavia taxi. Access navigation, traffic updates, and your calendar in the Skoda Connect infotainment system.
Never miss a service again with Proactive Services. By enabling this, your car can automatically book a service at your nearest Skoda retailer, so you don’t have to. It will also call the emergency services in the event of an accident.
The Skoda Octavia display system has also been designed with minimal distraction, so you can stay focussed on the job at hand. The head-up display will show you important driving data without the need to take your eyes off the road. You can also control the 10” multimedia display with a handy touch slider.
Performance and drive
Choose from a range of powertrains and efficient engines with the Skoda Octavia taxi. The petrol offering includes a 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. You can also choose a mild hybrid 1.0 TSI engine.
Both petrol engines have a six-gear manual gearbox, while the mild hybrid engine has an automatic transmission. The mild-hybrid Skoda Octavia is equipped with ‘shift by wire’ technology.
A centre console shift gear lever controls the gears, without being connected to the gearbox. The strain on the engine is reduced by electronically relaying which gear has been selected. This technology is a first from Skoda and exclusive to the fourth-generation Octavia.
Passenger and boot space
Enjoy a generous load space, with handy storage features dotted throughout the cabin of the Skoda Octavia taxi. With a generous 600 litres of space, it can be effortlessly enhanced at the touch of a button. Automatically fold down rear seats using the remote release button in the luggage compartment. This increases the capacity to 1,555 litres.
There’s also room for all your essentials on the road, including a 1.5-litre water bottle holder in the door compartment. A jumbo box is also ideal for storing your smartphone and any small personal items. It will even keep your snacks cool when the air con is in use. An optional removable waste basket can also be fitted so you have everything you need for your workday.
Reliability
Gain peace of mind when you get behind the wheel of a Skoda Octavia taxi with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty. In the third year, you’ll receive a warranty of up to 60,000 miles.
To protect yourself from time off the road and unexpected repair bills, you can also extend the warranty by up to five years or 100,000 miles. This covers you against manufacturing defects and is fully transferrable to a new owner if you decide to sell your taxi.
In addition to this, all new Skoda taxis benefit from a 12-year body protection warranty.
Safety
Safety lies at the heart of the Skoda Octavia taxi, so you and your passengers can be confident of a safe drive.
Features include Front Assist with Predictive Pedestrian Protection. This monitors the distance between you and other vehicles, with an emergency braking function. It will also give you an audible and visual warning if any pedestrians approach your taxi that you might not have seen.
Changing lanes is also made seamless with Blind Spot Detection. While Adaptive Cruise Control can help you maintain a good distance between vehicles ahead of you when travelling at 15mph or more.
Cost of ownership
In terms of running costs, fuel economy also ranges from a decent 50.1mpg – 64mpg making a Skoda Octavia taxi great value for money. Thanks to the mild-hybrid engine, you can also enjoy lower fuel costs.
The Taxi Centre’s verdict
As arguably the industry’s most popular vehicle, the Skoda Octavia is a great all-round taxi choice, offering smart tech, practicality, and great value for money.
Its status as a great taxi choice is solidified by an impressive amount of award wins. Most recently picking up the What Car? Best Practicality Family Car 2023, for a second consecutive year.