The fourth generation of the Skoda Octavia is getting ready for its mid-life facelift. Our spy photographers caught prototypes of both the sedan (technically a liftback) and wagon body styles testing out in the open, with camouflage wrapt covering the front and rear ends.

Starting with the front, the Octavia will get a redesigned bumper with thinner vertical intakes, revised LED headlights, and a slightly tweaked grille. A similar treatment has been spotted on the upcoming Scala facelift, so we suspect it is going to be a new family look for all Skoda models in the near future. Predictably, the profile remains identical to the existing model, with the exception of new wheel designs that could be added to the mix.

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Skoda engineers might have used a lot of camouflage at the back, but we suspect that changes will be quite limited. The LED taillights of the current model still look fresh, and VW Group is usually conservative with their redesigned rear bumpers so we expect a very familiar look with any differences being focused on the trim. Both prototypes of the Skoda Octavia were towing a trailer for testing purposes, similar to other Skoda scoops from the past.

The Octavia is praised for its interior design so the facelift will most likely bring small technological updates with fresh graphics and software on the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen, plus more ADAS coming as standard. Another possibility is the addition of new trim options with sustainable materials and more Simply Clever features.

The Skoda Octavia is currently available with petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), CNG (G-TEC), mild-hybrid (eTSI), and plug-in hybrid (iV) powertrains. Engine options will likely be largely carried over to the facelift with small changes making them more efficient. Skoda will probably give more attention to the electrified options since more and more buyers opt for them. The performance-focused RS and vRS variants are also expected to live on in petrol, diesel, and PHEV forms, while we are not sure about the future of the crossover-style Scout trim.

The facelifted Skoda Octavia is expected to arrive sometime in 2023, following the facelifted Scala and the new generation of the Superb that is currently under development. Similar changes to the EU-spec Octavia will likely be applied to the Chinese long-wheelbase Octavia Pro model.

Image credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops