Be prepared - Skoda's new Scout

It was coined by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 as a statement of intent - that a good Scout was always in a state of readiness to do his duty.

Handily, you could easily apply the same description to the new Skoda Octavia Scout - a family car that’s ready for anything that comes its way.

The standard Octavia Estate is already a very practical family car. The Scout sits 33mm higher on bespoke suspension and uses the latest Haldex 4x4 system - the same kit you’ll find in a Land Rover Discovery Sport - which gives it more grip on tricky road surfaces.

We reckon Baden-Powell would have been rather taken with the Octavia Scout.

ON THE ROAD: ​ Skoda only offers the Scout with a diesel engine - a sensible move in a market where petrol-power is the kiss of death.

Both power units are lighter and more powerful than their predecessors. The entry level Scout uses the VW Group’s ubiquitous 2.0-litre four in 150PS guise, driving through a six-speed manual gearbox, but Skoda sent us the range-topping 2.0-litre 184PS TDI fitted with a DSG transmission.

The extra torque of the high power unit will be welcome if you plan to use your Scout to tow a caravan and the DSG is a smooth shifter (although it sometimes became flustered in town when it developed an uncharacteristic hesitation).

The flagship Scout can sprint to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds but still returns 55.4mpg on the combined cycle. Our test coincided with more stop-start driving than usual, which perhaps explains the test car’s rather mediocre 38mpg average fuel return.

Beyond the town limits the 2.0-litre engine is a smooth cruiser. The Scout’s longer suspension travel and its tall 50-section tyres combine to give a comfortable, confidence-inspiring ride. And because it’s a jacked up estate the Scout doesn’t suffer the radical weight transfer that makes fast cornering in a pukka SUV so alarming until you’re used to it.

Externally, the Scout looks the part. The front end incorporates a silver skid plate and some plastic cladding to ward off stray cow pats and fast-sprouting dandelions. Black plastic side mouldings protect the flanks from marauding supermarket trolleys and there’s a hefty bash plate beneath the rear bumper. Beyond where the eye can see, shields are fitted to the brake lines and fuel lines to protect them from damaging stone chips and rocks.

The reprofiled bumpers improve the approach and departure angles, but you won’t be chasing Land Cruisers across muddy fields.

The excellence of the Haldex 4x4 system is in the fact that it allows the Scout to run in front drive mode much of the time - only swapping drive around when it detects an imminent loss of grip. That’s Skoda common sense at work.

​ ON THE INSIDE: ​ Skoda reckons the Octavia’s cabin is the largest in its class and the Scout shares the same generous rear leg and knee room.

Some slivers of metallic trim help lift the otherwise funereal atmosphere and a smattering of Scout badges inform passengers that you bought the left-field choice.

Other detail changes include unique door trims and leather/Alcantara synthetic suede sports seats.

The instruments are clear and concise, although the heating and ventilation dials are sited rather low down beneath the touch-screen in-car entertainment.

​ WHAT DO YOU GET: ​ As the halo model of the Octavia range, both the Scouts come fully kitted out. Automatic climate control, colour screen satellite navigation, 17-inch alloys, special fog lamps, radar parking sensors and cruise control are all standard.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT? ​ The Scout’s boot has a generous 610-litre capacity, rising to 1,740 litres with the rear seats folded down. The front passenger seat folds forward so items up to 2.92 metres long can be slotted inside.

Other clever features include a double-side boot cover (plush carpet or hard-wearing rubber for those trips to the tip), an ice scraper hidden in the fuel filler cap and even a holder for a high-visibility vest underneath the driver’s seat.

Naturally there are numerous cubbies, generous door bins and a tray beneath the front passenger seat.

​ RUNNING COSTS: ​ The new Octavia is 20 per cent cleaner and more fuel efficient than its immediate predecessor. Despite its strong performance, the 184PS engine has CO2 emissions of just 134g/km.

​ VERDICT: ​ UNLESS you are a farmer, you don’t need a full-on 4x4 even if you live in the country.

What you do need is a practical estate car with a bit more ground clearance, some plastic cladding to protect the expensive paintwork and four-wheel drive.

In other words, in the real world a Scout would make more sense than a more expensive SUV for most of us.

Baden-Powell would have approved.

Price: £27,990

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Spec:​

Engine: ​2.0 TDI

Power: ​184PS

Torque: ​380Nm

Top speed: ​136mph

0-62mph: ​7.8 seconds

Fuel economy: ​55.4mpg (official combined figure); on test 41.2mpg

CO2 emissions: ​134g/km

Insurance group: ​

Equipment: ​17-inch ‘Polar’ alloy wheels with anti-theft wheel nuts, leather multifunction steering wheel, touchscreen sat nav, auto dimming rear view mirror, colour trip computer, cruise, lane assist, head light assist, front fogs, underseat storage drawer.

​ Spec:​ Engine: ​2.0 TDI Power: ​184PS Torque: ​380Nm Top speed: ​136mph 0-62mph: ​7.8 seconds Fuel economy: ​55.4mpg (official combined figure); on test 41.2mpg CO2 emissions: ​134g/km Insurance group: ​ Equipment: ​17-inch ‘Polar’ alloy wheels with anti-theft wheel nuts, leather multifunction steering wheel, touchscreen sat nav, auto dimming rear view mirror, colour trip computer, cruise, lane assist, head light assist, front fogs, underseat storage drawer.