SCOUT'S HONOUR (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Andy Enright

Introductionword count: 125

A string of hard winters has not only sent demand for winter tyres through the roof, it's also spiked a demand for all-wheel drive cars. Small SUVs remain as popular as ever, but the four-wheel drive estate has enjoyed a resurgence. Most will associate this sort of vehicle with hefty contenders like the Audi Allroad and the Volvo XC70, but if you don't need quite such heavyweight tackle, Skoda has something that's discreet, capable and efficient in the shape of its Octavia Scout. Amid all the press plaudits for Skoda's admittedly excellent Yeti, the Octavia Scout has quietly been selling very well and it makes an interesting used buy. Here's what to look for when it comes to the preferable post-2009 facelifted first generation models.

Modelsword count: 6

5dr estate (1.8 petrol, 2.0 diesel)

Historyword count: 147

Skoda has long offered an all-wheel drive version of their Octavia estate but in 2007, they decided to go a step further with this Scout model and give buyers something more suited to venturing very slightly further into the rough. It's the improved facelifted version we're looking at here, equipped with the better fourth generation Haldex clutch system also fitted on the standard Octavia 4x4 estate. The 2009 changes gave the Octavia a bit more about it, thanks to its more imposing grille, topped with a thick band of chrome. Substantial headlamps flank it to form a band across the nose that sits above restyled bumpers. Moving backwards, there are revised side mouldings, while smarter C-shaped light clusters adorn the rear. Overall, this remains a solid-looking, nicely sculpted car with more than a hint of Volvo in its design make-up: perfect then, for that older target market.

What You Getword count: 220

Most potential buyers should think this car a handsome thing, with a redesigned front grille and revised bumpers at front and rear that tack another centimetre to the overall length. Protective strips on the wheel housings and body-coloured side mouldings help keep your Scout looking fresh, as do the profiled door sills, the front pair having the 'Scout' badge engraved on them. A toughened sump guard aims to prevent expensive under-body knocks. In contrast, the smart alloy wheels are an unashamed lifestyle concession but no worse looking for it, as are the polished steel dual exhaust pipes. As with all Octavia estates, the wheel at each corner stance hints at very good packaging. It's no mere impression either, as there's a massive 1,655-litres of space available and even with the seats fixed into place, there's 605-litres available to stuff with bags. The interior also benefits from a Jumbo box under the front armrest and upholstery exclusive to this model. There's even a passenger hand grip on the dashboard to help brace when tackling steep descents. The load bay is not only large but also sensibly shaped. Instead of the wheelarch intrusion that so many estate models suffer, the Octavia Estate features a large, flat load space, carpeted and trimmed with rails so that heavy items can be slid into place.

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