Since its market introduction in September 2008, the Octavia Scout has become a successful model in the Škoda range. Now the Octavia Scout joins the New Octavia and the New Octavia RS in receiving a design update.

While it has been updated the Scout retains all the positive qualities that makes it a favourite. These are AWD ability and safety, an absolutely huge boot space with versatility, a powerful but economical 2.0L TDi motor mated to a 6 speed manual, enough features to keep most people satisfied and all this for a very economical $39,990 MLP.

We tested the Octavia Scout 2.0L TDi with a six speed manual transmission. The only option fitted to the Arctic Green Scout was metallic paint bringing the MLP to $40,620

An AWD SUV for the family with all the features without the badge price hike of some others.

The Octavia Scout has always been a favourite here and the minor updates do nothing to change that.

It is comfortable and easy to drive. Powerful and economical 2.0L diesel motor with VW’s six-speed manual, which is a breeze to use and well mated to the torque characteristics of the motor. The interior is well laid out heaps of safety features.

In short it all works, looks good and is enjoyable to drive. Combine this with the price advantage and a couple of the other manufacturers should be worried.

What is Good?

            Use of Interior space – Huge boot

            Motor Transmission combination

            Features for price

What is not so Good?

            Smaller seats – not good for the amply butt endowed

            ‘B’ Pillar intrudes on front entry/exit

            No Bluetooth

The Scout has always been a stylish, with rugged good looks, if somewhat boxy AWD SUV. The revisions include the grille with its 19 vertically arranged ribs surrounded by a redesigned, chrome-plated frame and the equally new headlamps, which can be equipped with optional xenon lights with dynamic angle control are significantly larger and more dominant.

Plonk your self in the drivers seat and it looks very familiar. Thats because what you see is all VW and that is a good thing. Other than the fact that the front seats are a little narrow in the squab (not so good for the large butts like mine) it’s all very comfortable.

The thick-rimmed steering wheel is height and reach adjustable and in front of you are clear dials with VW’s multi function display that tells you almost everything you need or want to know. , There are places for drink bottles in the centre and in the door pockets and an abundance of storage places for all the little things we seem to accumulate in cars.

With  a boot volume of 580 litres (up to 1620 litres with the rear seats down), it copes even with the most challenging transport tasks.

Features include: Cruise control, Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning (with AQS), Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Height adjustable driver and passenger seats, Interior 'Scout' cloth, Radio 'Audience' 2DIN with 6 CD stacker and MP3 player (8 speakers), MP3 auxiliary input socket, Rear parking sensors, Remote central locking, Leather pack (steering wheel, gearknob, and gaiter), Multi-function trip computer, Heated front seats, Light assistant (coming home/leaving home function), Rain Sensor windscreen wipers.

Skoda is big on safety features with six airbags - dual front, front side and curtain, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program), ABS, EBD and ASR, height adjustable headrests with WOKS

The power to the wheels is delivered through a powerful yet economical Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre TDI with diesel particulate filter as standard producing 103 kW/ 320 Nm, linked to a six-speed manual transmission.

This really is a gem of a motor if a little noisy. It has oodles of torque down low from about 1750 rpm and will happily trundle around town in 6^th gear at 60kmh.

Front suspension is MacPherson suspension with lower triangular links and torsion stabiliser and rear suspension is a Multi-element axle, with one longitudinal and three transverse links, torsion stabiliser. This gives the Scout a smooth ride over most surfaces.

The Octavia Scout is not a 4wd in the traditional sense but rather a very good AWD SUV, with cross-country mobility. As happy on urban roads as it is in mud, sand or snow, Octavia Scout 4X4 is fitted with an abundance of features which allow it to tackle a wide variety of rough terrain.

The ground clearance of 180 mm and the underbody sump guard significantly enhance its all-road suitability. The four-wheel drive is controlled by the impressive fourth generation Haldex clutch. The variable power distribution provides impressive traction capability, which ensures safe progress even on difficult roads.

However take the Scout too far off road and like most SUV’s the result will not be pretty. Towing capacity of 1600kg is middle of the road for this type of vehicle.

When I had the Octavia Scout I gave it a bit of a workout. I took a couple of long freeway drives, some sand and dirt road work. It transported a bunch of teenagers along with all their assorted gear. (Anyone noticed how loud 4 teenage girls can be?).

The Scout was also used as a transport for taking some old mattresses, beds and furniture to the smith family along with helping a friend move house.

The Scout did everything I asked of it with absolutely no fuss and was comfortable to drive. On the freeway trips I averaged about 5.0L/100KM, which was awesome. In fact on one trip heading north from Sydney I placed the Scout in sixth gear at the start of the freeway, put the cruise control on and left it there until the end of the freeway at Hexham.

Somewhat embarrassingly I forgot I was driving a manual and stalled at the roundabout at the end because I forgot to put the clutch in. That is how good the motor combination is.

The question is would I buy one if I was in the market for a mid sized AWD SUV. Absolutely, especially at a MLP of $39,990.

 It really is very good.