”Real” review of the OCTA after 6mo and 2500 miles
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 333
Likes: 198
From: Queensland
To be honest, I was negotiating $ on a V8 and then started researching what all the OCTA was really about because many sales people aren't much more versed than about the engine HP, wider track, and sitting taller, and the seats LOL.
I had already been pricing out the probable build / modifications. That process is where it dawned on me that in a year I'd end up spending much of the gap between the V8 and OCTA so it came down to just going for it.
You're in AU right? This Bundutec roof tent is pretty sweet.
I had already been pricing out the probable build / modifications. That process is where it dawned on me that in a year I'd end up spending much of the gap between the V8 and OCTA so it came down to just going for it.
You're in AU right? This Bundutec roof tent is pretty sweet.
Overlanding
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 18
Likes: 14
Here is my take on my 1 month old/1000 mile OCTA so I am still in the new car honeymoon period!
By way of background, I also have a 2021 P400 110 SE (57,000 miles), which has been and is a brilliant family car. Over the years, I have also been lucky enough to have owned quite a few sports cars and sporty SUV’s (911, R8, RS Audi’s, RR Sport Autobiography etc). The OP has an awesome stable of cars to choose from but and importantly, I was looking for one vehicle that met all my needs of being fast enough, handled well, space for four people and was a bit different to the norm. Also, the roads where I live are pretty crap and I am tired of having to repair low profile tires and wheels (don’t get me started on centerlock shod 911’s 😀
so the appeal of something quick with decent sidewall tires was a plus (although not a deciding factor). My shortlist that I all drove before deciding to order the OCTA are all great cars - G63, M5 Wagon and RS6 Wagon and I accept that each do something’s better than the Octa but for me the OCTA was the best overall for what I wanted.
So, what do I think so far:
1. Build quality feels top notch - no issues, no squeaks and rattles and everything feels high quality - as I expected
2. The steering is night and day better than the P400 and combined with the 6D suspension is so much more confidence inspiring than the P400. To the OP’s point though, it’s not going to handle like a Cayenne Turbo GT - but it wasn’t built to.
3. I love the new seats - look great and very comfortable. The body and soul speakers are a complete gimmick through - tried them once and doubt I will bother again.
4. Performance feels fast enough with great low down torque and the S68 motor feels very responsive. I will caveat this as I have yet to fully redline the car as I am old school and like to baby them for the first 1500 miles or so.
5. Engine/exhaust sound is ok but don’t expect G63/RS6 V8 thunder - in day to day normal driving it sounds to my ears more like a V6 eco boost I had in a F150 Raptor. Higher up the rev range it sounds much better.
6. I love how it looks and is fairly understated - mine is Sargasso Blue and folk that have commented generally do so because of the new color and not because it’s an OCTA - it’s an IYKYK sort of car.
7. Is it worth 2x a P400? No but then is any halo model from any manufacturer worth 2x one of their more regular offerings
Overall, my honeymoon is going really well - I will let you know how marriage is after more time and miles!
By way of background, I also have a 2021 P400 110 SE (57,000 miles), which has been and is a brilliant family car. Over the years, I have also been lucky enough to have owned quite a few sports cars and sporty SUV’s (911, R8, RS Audi’s, RR Sport Autobiography etc). The OP has an awesome stable of cars to choose from but and importantly, I was looking for one vehicle that met all my needs of being fast enough, handled well, space for four people and was a bit different to the norm. Also, the roads where I live are pretty crap and I am tired of having to repair low profile tires and wheels (don’t get me started on centerlock shod 911’s 😀
so the appeal of something quick with decent sidewall tires was a plus (although not a deciding factor). My shortlist that I all drove before deciding to order the OCTA are all great cars - G63, M5 Wagon and RS6 Wagon and I accept that each do something’s better than the Octa but for me the OCTA was the best overall for what I wanted.So, what do I think so far:
1. Build quality feels top notch - no issues, no squeaks and rattles and everything feels high quality - as I expected
2. The steering is night and day better than the P400 and combined with the 6D suspension is so much more confidence inspiring than the P400. To the OP’s point though, it’s not going to handle like a Cayenne Turbo GT - but it wasn’t built to.
3. I love the new seats - look great and very comfortable. The body and soul speakers are a complete gimmick through - tried them once and doubt I will bother again.
4. Performance feels fast enough with great low down torque and the S68 motor feels very responsive. I will caveat this as I have yet to fully redline the car as I am old school and like to baby them for the first 1500 miles or so.
5. Engine/exhaust sound is ok but don’t expect G63/RS6 V8 thunder - in day to day normal driving it sounds to my ears more like a V6 eco boost I had in a F150 Raptor. Higher up the rev range it sounds much better.
6. I love how it looks and is fairly understated - mine is Sargasso Blue and folk that have commented generally do so because of the new color and not because it’s an OCTA - it’s an IYKYK sort of car.
7. Is it worth 2x a P400? No but then is any halo model from any manufacturer worth 2x one of their more regular offerings
Overall, my honeymoon is going really well - I will let you know how marriage is after more time and miles!
Mudding
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 67
From: Tacoma Wa
Here is my take on my 1 month old/1000 mile OCTA so I am still in the new car honeymoon period!
5. Engine/exhaust sound is ok but don’t expect G63/RS6 V8 thunder - in day to day normal driving it sounds to my ears more like a V6 eco boost I had in a F150 Raptor. Higher up the rev range it sounds much better.
6. I love how it looks and is fairly understated - mine is Sargasso Blue and folk that have commented generally do so because of the new color and not because it’s an OCTA - it’s an IYKYK sort of car.
7. Is it worth 2x a P400? No but then is any halo model from any manufacturer worth 2x one of their more regular offerings
Overall, my honeymoon is going really well - I will let you know how marriage is after more time and miles!
5. Engine/exhaust sound is ok but don’t expect G63/RS6 V8 thunder - in day to day normal driving it sounds to my ears more like a V6 eco boost I had in a F150 Raptor. Higher up the rev range it sounds much better.
6. I love how it looks and is fairly understated - mine is Sargasso Blue and folk that have commented generally do so because of the new color and not because it’s an OCTA - it’s an IYKYK sort of car.
7. Is it worth 2x a P400? No but then is any halo model from any manufacturer worth 2x one of their more regular offerings
Overall, my honeymoon is going really well - I will let you know how marriage is after more time and miles!
Regarding the Defender looks, I'm actually glad it doesn't yell "LOOK AT ME!" like the G63 seemed to exude. I like having cool things but do not need to be showy about it.
Overlanding
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 18
Likes: 14
I do wonder how or why this system doesn't sound even remotely as good as the G63 which is also a twin turbo. My presumption in the past was that most turbo engines just can't sound anything close to a naturally aspirated or even a supercharged engine, but then the G63 I had obliterated that excuse.
Regarding the Defender looks, I'm actually glad it doesn't yell "LOOK AT ME!" like the G63 seemed to exude. I like having cool things but do not need to be showy about it.
Regarding the Defender looks, I'm actually glad it doesn't yell "LOOK AT ME!" like the G63 seemed to exude. I like having cool things but do not need to be showy about it.
i agree re the understated looks!
Thread Starter
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 32
Likes: 42
All,
Thanks for the input…I’ve put another 1300 miles and the OCTA and have a bit of an “amendment” to my previous review. I still believe that it’s “good not great”, however, I’ve started driving it almost exclusively in Dynamic mode. I’m not sure that I would use the word “transformative” but it makes a MATERIAL difference in the personality of the vehicle. The driving experience in Dynamic mode is VERY good!!! Not Turbo GT sublime but as stated, it’s a very spirited experience and super responsive. I can actually feel the 6D suspension tighten and work to prevent body roll on aggressive turns at speed.
As stated in my previous review, I couldn’t tell much difference in “OCTA” mode…that may be due to my lack of off-road usage. But “Dynamic” mode is a different story.
As per my previous review, I’m not sure I would buy it again, but I’m really beginning to see what the OCTA is all about and I’m truly enjoying the driving experience as I’m almost exclusively in Dynamic mode.
Finally…when I changed out the wheels and added the Vossen’s (thanks to those that provided opinions on color choice), it has changed my perspective on the looks as well. I actually think it looks super good…not the panache’ of the G-Wagon but I’m actually ‘ok’ with the understated elegance that the Vossen’s add to the OCTA. Pictures below….
Thanks again to everyone who provided their opinions…I really love this forum and the knowledge that everyone shares!!
Thanks for the input…I’ve put another 1300 miles and the OCTA and have a bit of an “amendment” to my previous review. I still believe that it’s “good not great”, however, I’ve started driving it almost exclusively in Dynamic mode. I’m not sure that I would use the word “transformative” but it makes a MATERIAL difference in the personality of the vehicle. The driving experience in Dynamic mode is VERY good!!! Not Turbo GT sublime but as stated, it’s a very spirited experience and super responsive. I can actually feel the 6D suspension tighten and work to prevent body roll on aggressive turns at speed.
As stated in my previous review, I couldn’t tell much difference in “OCTA” mode…that may be due to my lack of off-road usage. But “Dynamic” mode is a different story.
As per my previous review, I’m not sure I would buy it again, but I’m really beginning to see what the OCTA is all about and I’m truly enjoying the driving experience as I’m almost exclusively in Dynamic mode.
Finally…when I changed out the wheels and added the Vossen’s (thanks to those that provided opinions on color choice), it has changed my perspective on the looks as well. I actually think it looks super good…not the panache’ of the G-Wagon but I’m actually ‘ok’ with the understated elegance that the Vossen’s add to the OCTA. Pictures below….
Thanks again to everyone who provided their opinions…I really love this forum and the knowledge that everyone shares!!
