Australia’s cheapest European hybrid arrives with plug-in big brother

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Skoda Australia has confirmed its Octavia medium sedan will gain a new 48-volt mild-hybrid Select variant with sharp pricing from $43,990 drive-away, or $45,990 D/A in wagon guise.

Simultaneously, Skoda confirmed its flagship Superb large sedan will gain a range-opening plug-in hybrid drivetrain and price of $66,990 drive-away for the sedan or $62,990 before on-road costs for the wagon.

The new Octavia mHEV, offered in Select trim guise, comes at a small premium to the $39,590 before on-roads combustion-only sedan. Both variants produce 110kW/250Nm, with the mHEV gaining a 48-volt starter generator mild-hybrid system, and seven-speed DSG.

Fuel consumption improves to 5.1L/100km (5.2L/100km for the wagon), however, the mild-hybrid system is limited in capability compared to rivals such as the $49,900 drive-away Honda Civic and larger $39,990 before on-road costs Toyota Camry.

Both of those vehicles use high-voltage batteries and electric motors to support sustained EV-driving. 

The Octavia, like many mHEV Volkswagen Auto Group products, is limited to additional torque during acceleration, regenerative braking capability, and the ability to coast purely on electric power, though ‘sailing’ distance is greatly limited.

In contrast, it’s claimed that the fresh-faced plug-in hybrid Skoda Superb can drive up to 112km (WLTP) on electric power alone, with combined fuel consumption likely matching the 1.4 – 1.5L/100 km figure offered in international markets.

The forthcoming Superb PHEV will also serve as a new range opener, offered in base ‘Select’ trim guise to sit below the $69,690 before on-road costs Sportline wagon — a reduction of $6700.

This brings the Superb PHEV in contention with large plugless hybrid sedan rivals such as the $64,900 drive-away Honda Accord and $74,221 Lexus ES. Many conventional PHEV rivals like the $99,500 Mercedes-Benz C350e and $89,900 Audi A5 eHybrid don’t compete on price. 

Power decreases from 195kW/400Nm to a combined system output of 150kW/350Nm, with the PHEV also losing all-wheel drive, instead sending power to the front-wheels via a six-speed DSG.

The Superb’s PHEV system uses a 25.7kWh battery that can charge from empty to full in around 2.5 hours on 11kW AC power, or from 10-80 percent charge in 25 minutes, with a DC peak of 50kW.

Standard equipment on the Octavia Select mild-hybrid mostly mirrors its combustion-only counterpart. Some of this includes:

• Dual-zone climate control
• Heated front seats
• Keyless entry with walk-away locking 
• Electric bootlid
• 10-inch digital instrument cluster
• 13-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 45W USB-C fast charging
• 15W wireless device charger with active cooling
• A suite of safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist with Adaptive Lane Guidance, Front Cross Traffic Assist, eight airbags and more

While the Superb Select plug-in hybrid offers:

• 19-inch ‘Veritate’ alloy wheels 
• Metallic paint
• Tinted rear glass
• Dynamic Chassis Control 
• Progressive steering 
• Tri-zone climate control
• Heated front seats
• keyless entry with walk-away locking
• Electric bootlid
• 45W USB-C charging
• 10-inch digital instrument cluster
• 13-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 15W wireless device charging
• Skoda ‘Smart Dials’
• A suite of safety features including Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Steering Assist, Exit Warning, Collision Avoidance Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, front/rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, ten airbags and more

Skoda Octavia 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs unless stipulated elsewise.

• Select Sedan: $39,590
• Select Wagon: $41,090
• Select mHEV Sedan: $43,990 national drive-away
• Select mHEV Wagon: $45,990 national drive-away
• Sportline Sedan: $44,490
• Sportline Wagon: $45,990
• RS Sedan: $58,490
• RS Wagon: $59,990

Skoda Superb 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs unless stipulated elsewise.

• Select PHEV Sedan: $66,990 national drive-away
• Select PHEV Wagon: $62,990
• Sportline Sedan: $67,990
• Sportline Wagon: $69,690