While the segment of suvs or off-road SUVs is steadily gaining in popularity, many brands also offer the alternative of sports wagons with off-road enhancements and standard four-wheel drive. One of the best examples of its kind has been the Škoda octavia scout for many years, which in the last generation took a big step forward in terms of advanced technology and equipment for more discerning customers.
In car textbooks (if they existed), you would find an explanation under the label scout that it is for the off-road version of the Skoda Octavia model, which offers off-road reinforcements and protection in the form of plastic trims for the lower part of the body and protection for the chassis and engine compartment. It should also be written that, in addition to the off-road image, it is also characterized by a powerful four-wheel drive, which in the third generation of the octavia model (and the second scout) got powerful haldex clutch the fifth generation with the help of which are off-road capabilities completely at the level of SUVs.
It's a shame for the Octavia in terms of its exterior, led by the lights placed on a black background, which already serially they shine in combination bi-xenon and LED techniques, you recognize quickly. The chrome looks just right, and the overall impression of the Scout when driving by is very good. This also means a good image, which such vehicles must have, as they usually represent TOP offer of a certain model and brand.
READ MORE: Škoda Octavio Scout on the motocross track
In the case of the tester, it was basically for off-road version of the Octavia RS, at least the diesel versions of the year, which the motorization testifies eloquently. In the case of the tester, a more powerful version was running under the hood 2.0-liter TDI engine that develops 135 kW and 380 Nm of torque over a wide rpm range. Like the RS, the Scout leaves the choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a manual transmission to the buyer DSG automatic transmission. The tester overcame the latter, which makes the Škoda octavia scout a real business-off-road-family mule and offers practically the best of all worlds.
The main difference, as already mentioned, means four-wheel drive, with the help of which owners of the Octavia Scout will confidently cope even with major off-road challenges. The reason for such confidence lies in powerful haldex couplings of the fifth generation, which measures the optimal amount of torque on each wheel in a fraction of a second, but in practice the driver only doses the gas and turns the steering wheel. Everything else is taken care of by electronics. When going down a slope, you don't even need that, because with the switch on "off road" program, the driver only needs to steer the vehicle, and the electronics take over all the other reins. Considering everything (4WD, automatic, winter footwear), consumption did not seem excessive. Rather the opposite. Even with dynamic, but not wasteful driving, you will easily stop below the limit of seven liters, and saving approximates consumption six liters.
Make no mistake. Off-road vehicles, or at least (certain) true off-road vehicles, can overcome even more difficult transport terrains, and certain MPVs can offer more than 610 to 1,740 liters usable space in the trunk and certain limousines with more business comfort. But we can list on the fingers of one hand models that can do all three as well as the Škoda octavia scout. So you can easily load it with all your stuff and go to the beach with your family or go camping in the wilderness. There is also room in the trunk for the needs of larger families, and the equipment offers numerous attachments and space adjustments. We must also praise the fact that the roller blind can (still) be moved by just touching the outer edge, and the seats can also be folded down from the trunk by simply pulling the lever. At the same time, the tester also overpowered electric trunk opening/closing, which accompanies him annoying beeping in reverse van style.
As for the rest of the equipment, it is remaining on the repayment list wrinkles a little. In addition to the aforementioned, the tester also managed smart key and start button vehicles, the layout of which (as well as the artificial imitations of wood on the center console) still indicates a certain degree of savings. But be surprised by the fact that they are next to each other in the equipment factory navigation and an audio system from a well-known manufacturer as well radar cruise control and even additional vehicle heater (better known as webasto). Basically, the tester was overpowered leather upholstery (a combination of alcantara and leather), trackable bi-xenon lights and electrification and seat heating. With this, the Octavia and with it Škoda definitely stepped decisively into the business segment, but at the same time, the question arose, what is the final price of such a fully equipped Octavia Scout.
The apprehension about the price turned out to be justified, because it is price from basic 32 thousand (for the 135 kW version with DSG automatic), grew up on salted 42 thousand and a half, which is hard to imagine for this model and brand. For this money you get a fully equipped car that also offers the previously mentioned excellent compromise of spaciousness, comfort and off-road capabilities, but with more renowned competition you get for a similar amount even already of medium size with a similar amount of equipment and power under the hood. Although we would still prefer to drive an Octavia Scout into the garage, we are afraid that the majority of buyers would decide the opposite. Fashion is fashion, and the dry ones are still literally going for honey.
More information about the model at: www.skoda.si/octavia_scout
Test model price: 32,042 euros (basic)/ 42,572 euros (test)
