A very understated car for one with so much potential

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Friday, February 03, 2012

Those dealers who took on Skoda agencies in recent years are reaping many benefits right now.

At a time when new car buyers are at something of a premium, it would appear Skoda dealers are doing just fine.

The big seller for them is — unsurprisingly — the Octavia range, even though the Superb is ruffling more than a few feathers in its segment and stuff like the Yeti and Fabia are more than holding their own.

With a comprehensive range of engines, both petrol and diesel, the Octavia appears to have struck a note with many buyers as a Mondeo-class alternative for much less money and its appeal here has been broadened by the fact it is an “everyman’s” car; it appeals to rural and urban drivers in equal measure.

Its potential appeal has also been broadened in recent times by the addition of an off-road version — called the Scout — which is this machine we test here.

Although sitting higher than its regular siblings and endowed with the Haldex 4x4 system, this Octavia does not really look terribly different from the rest of the range.

Oddly, that might actually be part of its appeal; it is a very understated car for one with so much potential — both on and off the road.

It is powered by the well-known 103kW (140bhp) two litre turbo-diesel engine from the VW parts bin and which will propel it to a top speed of 204kph while achieving the 0-100kph dash in 9.8 seconds.

It will also return a fuel consumption figure of 5.6l/100km and its CO2 emissions level of 148g/km, means an annual road tax of €302.

Aside from the Scout kickplates on the door sills, the car has a comprehensive specification list and included as standard are rain-sensing wipers, sat nav, ESP, cruise control, 17” alloys, rear parking sensors, multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity and roof rails.

On the road there is no immediate and perceptible benefit from the Haldex system as the Octavia displays plenty of grip anyway, but once you find yourself on loose or slippy surfaces you quickly appreciate this is something different from the norm and has capabilities above and beyond what might be expected.

There is nothing really surprising from under the hood, apart from a sense there is bags of pulling power and you won’t need to be pulling into a petrol station anytime soon.

Inside the Scout is well appointed and there is bags of room in the rear compartment.

The décor is decent enough, if a little bland, but there is a definite feeling that everything has been screwed together really well.

Skoda has been a little shy in coming forward about its 4x4 models, which is something of a shame because these cars really do have a lot to offer.

Not alone are they well built and very capable, but they are terribly practical as well and if you are in the need of a go-anywhere machine at an affordable price, then you should look at what is on offer here.