Good morning. I am about to buy a new Skoda Octavia. I am unsure as to whether to buy one with an integrated Sat Nav. Any advice?....Thanks.

We've taken delivery of a Scala with SatNav and Android Auto/ Car Play. Prior to this, we had a Scala without navigation on loan of a week. I would say that if you don't get Satnav, you won't miss it. On the other hand, built in SatNav is very usable and has been a godsend for the last few says, with no phone signal! You can always download maps to Google, but it gives you extra options! 

 

If the car you choose has it already, then you will definitely use it. If it hasn't, then you're not missing out that much! 

 

Happy dilemma! 

Many thanks DNC for a very informative reply. Much appreciated.

You're very welcome. It's only my opinion, however after testing a car without and then getting our SEL which includes Nav; I wouldn't worry about it, if you dont have it, as long as you have android or apple connectivity for Google maps, Waze etc! 

Hi. Yes I have my trusty android mobile phone with Google maps etc and also my Garmin Sat Nav. Both work perfectly. I was just curious about the reliability of integrated Sat Nav and also, although I didn't allude to it in my original post, whether you require to pay an annual subscription for map updates etc with an integrated Sat Nav set up. Thanking you once more for your comments. Most helpful and appreciated. 

Good gorning.

I'm not sure what the charges are, as everything is free for the first year, but you do pay a subscription for data and for skoda connect. I assume that the traffic updates etc would be on a subscription after the first year! 

 

With regard to a data connection, our car has a mobile hotspot built in which uses an imbeded sim card, however I do know that once the data sub expires, you can attach the car to your phones hotspot for data. 

Morning. Many thanks again for your very helpful comments. I think on balance I will probably look for a good spec Skoda which includes sat nav. I think the convenience of having a system which avoids the need for cables and other accessories to operate, probably is worth the extra premium. Having had a look at what vehicles are on offer with and without integrated Sat nav there is little in price difference. I am also persuaded by the thought of not having to listen to my wife constantly complain about trailing wires and suction pads becoming detached etc. that in itself would be a deciding factor. Once again many thanks for your help with this one. Have a nice day....

You are welcome. If you get one of the more recent Android Auto equipped vehicles, you only need a USB cable and google maps will display on the car screen. No need to mount your telephone within eyesight at all. The phone stays tucked away in the centre console. I agree with your observation on price difference and a higher spec car is always easier to sell later! 

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