A family car can never have too many driver-assistance systems to guard against dangerous situations. The all-new Octavia can now cope with additional situations: it monitors oncoming traffic when you are turning left (in a left-hand drive) and brings the car to a halt if there is a danger. Once you have parked the car, it monitors the area behind and warns you if there is a risk of hitting another car or a cyclist as you open the door.

Up to nine airbags, delivering finely-tuned interaction with three-point automatic seat belts and safety head restraints, protect the driver and passengers from injury. In addition, the eCall system, which can communicate information such as the car’s location and status, automatically contacts emergency services in an accident.

The Euro NCAP has awarded the Škoda Octavia the highest possible rating of five stars, thereby certifying that the car offers optimum protection for all those on board.

In the Child Occupant Protection category, the Octavia received a score of 88 per cent of all possible points. This ranked the Octavia at the top end of all cars tested. In the Adult Occupant Protection category, the Octavia scored 92%.

Additional protection for the driver.