The Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla dominate Poland’s new car market, with roughly 11,000 and 12,000 units sold respectively in the first half of 2026. According to automotive experts, the optimal Octavia version is not the cheapest nor the priciest, but the one powered by a 1.5 eTSI engine producing 150 hp.
The Polish new car market is a two-horse race. The Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia are far ahead of the competition – the third-best seller, the Kia Sportage, failed to exceed 8,000 registrations in the first half of 2026. With such dominance, choosing the right Octavia variant becomes crucial for potential buyers.
The sweet spot: 150 hp with an automatic gearbox
Poland’s automotive magazine „Auto Świat” analysed the Octavia lineup and pointed to the 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid unit with 150 hp as the best powertrain. It comes with an automatic transmission as standard, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, and returns fuel consumption between 4.9 and 5.3 L/100 km.
– This is the optimal choice for the Octavia. It will be pleasantly dynamic and surprisingly economical – the magazine stated.
The price for the 150-hp Octavia ranges from 118,000 to 133,000 PLN depending on trim level. This places it comfortably between the entry-level and top-tier models.
Budget and premium alternatives
The cheapest Octavia is the version with a 1.5 TSI engine producing 115 hp, paired with a manual gearbox. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds and consumes 5.2 to 5.7 L/100 km. The base model starts at around 101,000 PLN, while the best-equipped variant costs about 120,000 PLN.
– For many drivers such performance will be perfectly sufficient – noted „Auto Świat”.
At the opposite end of the spectrum sits the most expensive Octavia: the 2.0 TSI with 204 hp and an automatic gearbox. With the richest equipment package, it exceeds 151,000 PLN. That is roughly 50% more than the entry-level version, yet the 150-hp model offers what many consider the best balance of performance, efficiency, and cost.
The analysis shows that the most powerful engine does not automatically mean the best choice for most buyers. The 150-hp variant delivers strong acceleration, low running costs, and a reasonable price tag – a combination that appeals to Polish drivers looking for a versatile family car.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/Natalie Hora
