I currently own a 17 plate Octavia SEL (petrol) which has been a brilliant with no issues whatsoever. I have ordered a 1.5 SEL mild hybrid, which is due to be delivered in June 2023, but was disappointed to learn that standard functions on the MK3 are not standard on the MK4. One of these, a rear wiper, I have included as a free option, but apparently main beam assist is also not standard on the MK4 and I understand that I can have this for £197. In addition I have heard that ambient lighting is also not standard on the MK4. Can anyone shed any light on these please ?

 

I am also concerned about the software issues on the early MK4s and hope that these have now been resolved on the new models.

I've had mine on order since March 22 and heard nothing yet, I ordered another RS so get different options, like you had the free rear wiper, and just a couple of options like winter packs as it comes pretty well loaded.

 

The one thing that does concern, like you is the software issues that have been prevalent on the car and the lack of urgency to remedy them. I'm going to be been a 4.5 version as I doubt it will be built this year and not expecting to see it until February or March 23.

 

I am hoping that at this rate of progress, that my car will get any new hard and software revisions as a matter of course and that problems minimal. 

I have an early build SEL First Edition, had plenty of software issues but all now resolved. Hopefully the fixes are in new build cars.

 

Ambient lighting is there in mine, thought was standard in the SEL and not a First Edition ‘add-on’ like the electric/memory drivers seat. Being an estate version I got a rear wiper anyway.

 

High beam assist is, as you say, available at a cost. I haven’t gone there as it seems a lot of money to not have to flick a switch.

@ NGD i also got the SEL 1.5 mild hybrid. delivered last year July so had lots of issues with SW and SOS unit etc. All updated about 5 months back and car running sweet. Get really good economy as well being a petrol as I was coming from a MK3 1.6 tdi DSG.

 

I do however miss the puddle lights in the Mk4 cant see why they didn't keep that but hey the bonnet now has a hydraulic lifter rather than the stick as a compromise 🤣.

 

Options:

Winter pack, heated wheel is a god send. Can set to come on automatically at car start on a cold morning, No more gloves as i needed in my last diesel during longer warm up times.

Park assist (not used it much but had it on my Mk3 so optioned it in any case).

Rear camera (not so good in the dark, have to switch of the lights to get to see better. my Sis in laws same age SEAT Ibiza camera much better in dark).

 

I don't really miss the auto high beam as on the Mk3 they would often switch off late causing on coming traffic to flash me so I didn't bother option that.

If needed you can find a friendly VCDS user to code it in for but this is more complicated compared to Mk3 vehicle as you need some extra security. I used Carista for a lot of stuff on the MK3 but cant do anything useful on the Mk4.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have to say that whenever I have bought an updated version of a car it has always had at least the same spec as the earlier model. So now I find that I am trading in an excellent Octavia MK 3, paying another £20K for the MK 4 and not getting several standard functions that I, quite reasonably in my opinion, expected. Am I being nieve?

 

I do like Octavia, ideal size, lots of legroom in the back, cavernous boot and a very pokey engine, I have looked into other cars but nothing comes close to what an Octavia brings. Nevertheless it is most unsatisfactory that they discontinue certain functions that you get used to having.

I was going to suggest a Sportline Karoq, which had 190 bhp, similar size quite well specced up, but its been discontinued by the looks of it. 

The MK4 offers matrix lights which are superb. I had issues on the first go with them (others flashing me) but since then - not even a single one and they work great.

On 12/11/2022 at 00:33, TheWanderer said:

I was going to suggest a Sportline Karoq, which had 190 bhp, similar size quite well specced up, but its been discontinued by the looks of it. 

Before O4 i had Ateca, which is Karoq's twin.

It's a nice car, but i would never say it's similar size. I mean interior is similar, except for different seating positions, but boot... Karoq's boot is tiny compared to O4, especially if you take 4x4.

Also fuel economy of Ateca was awful compared to O4. I had the same engine (1.5 TSI with DSG), and in Ateca it was consuming roughly 30% more.

I’ve been driving a MK4 SEL for about 4wks now and love it. 
I opted for ambient lighting as it’s a great touch and keeps me going on long, late drives. I believe puddle lights are fitted as standard now as mine has them. I also opted for the rear wiper. 
No infotainment software issues.
I’ve had one random braking incident with no car particularly close to me and the lane assist has really overreacted once- I was holding the wheel loosely and I veered quite hard to one side. It’s very easy to disable tho- 2 presses of a button on the steering wheel. It’s been very handy on quite a few occasions however. 

I’m incredibly happy with the car. The boot space, the responsive engine (1.5 TSI), the upholstery. I can’t fault anything yet apart from the little gripes above.