Something different
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25th March 2009 - Townsville Sun - By PETER BARNWELL
ŠKODA has few direct competitors in the compact SUV segment with its Octavia Scout - a wagon-based `crossover' vehicle along the lines of Subaru's Outback and the larger Volvo XC70.
The main competition comes from within VW group in the form of Tiguan, a newer vehicle, larger and $4000 cheaper. What would you do?
Scout is essentially an Octavia all wheel drive wagon on stilts with rough road protection on and under the body and slightly jacked up suspension giving 180mm ground clearance. It does feature a clever electronic 4x4 system that will channel power to the wheels with traction (front to rear and side to side) and is well equipped for the $39,990 start price.
Goodies include rain sensing wipers, front fog lights, rear park sensors, 17-inch alloys and heated front seats.
Scout boasts plenty of safety kit such as six air bags and stability control.
The engine is out of the VW stable - a 2.0-litre, turbo diesel four-pot with 103kW/320Nm - ample grunt to move the beefy Scout economically and with some urgency.
The engine consumes minimal fuel and is rated at 6.6-litres/100km average. Given its 60 litre tank, that equates to a range of 900km plus.
It's only offered with a six-speed manual transmission which is a pity because turbo diesels and automatics go together like a hand in a glove.
Scout is a comfortable distance eater - supple suspension, light controls and comfortable driving position.
The interior offers plenty of goodies to keep you well informed. Satnav is optional as is leather, both of which were fitted to the test vehicle.
We liked the way Scout feels on the road - chunky, solid and big bumps roll under hardly noticed.
It has plenty of get up when you need it and whisks along at 100km/h with barely a sound. From this speed, there's plenty of acceleration under foot.
We took it on a rough gravel road and it was like water off a duck's back, even the corrugations and potholes.
Škoda's Octavia Scout is something a little different that's well equipped and economical. Can't argue with that.