Skoda Octavia Scout 2015 Review

If we're all going to be driving SUVs then maybe the Skoda Octavia Scout is a palatable solution for those amongst us afraid of heights or prone to sea-sickness.

That's because those high-riding wagons that peer down on us (well less and less of us as more and more of us buy them) can be pretty darn ponderous and wobbly to drive. All that ride height and raised centre of gravity might be good for the macho image, but it's not much help when it comes to negotiating bends.

The Scout is more cross-over than true SUV. It's the mildly pumped and dressed up version of the Octavia wagon, performing the same job the Subaru Outback does in relation to the Liberty wagon (although these days there actually isn't one), or the Audi A4 allroad quattro to the A4 Avant (wagon to you and me).

While the latest Octavia got to Australia in early 2014, the second-generation Scout only rocked up in March. Stand them side by side and the 31mm ride height boost for the Scout is obvious, as is the off-roader cladding that fills in the wheel arches. But much else is very, very similar. Not least the body, which has grown a massive 100mm to 4690, reflecting a similar increase in wheelbase.

Underneath the body the two cars are based on the same fundamental Volkswagen Group MQB architecture, which means they share transverse (east-west) engine placement and the engines themselves, electronic systems, fundamental MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear suspension) design and so on. But alone among Octavias, the Scout gets the latest Haldex 5 wet multi-plate clutch on-demand all-wheel drive system.

The Czech brand has also distinguished the latest Scout by expanding the range and dropping the price. The 110TDI six-speed manual kicks things off at $32,990, which is $7000 below the old entry price. At the top of the line-up is another 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the 135TDI, this time mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG in VW speak) and priced at $41,390.

But we're driving what is expected to be the biggest seller in the range, the 132TSI. This is a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine from VW's well known EA888 family, mated to a six-speed DSG and priced at $38,590.

That squares it up against the Outback 2.5i Premium at $41,490. And what about the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack? Well that's a single diesel model priced at $48,290 and that means cross-shopping is unlikely.

For the money, the Octavia delivers a solid selection of safety equipment including nine airbags, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, fatigue detection and multi-collision brake, which slows the vehicle after a collision is detected even if the driver is no longer pressing the brake pedal.

A $3900 'Tech Pack' adds adaptive cruise control, low-speed autonomous emergency braking and a higher-speed front assist warning and braking function, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, automatic parking assist, lane-keeping assist and front sensors.

The Scout's radar sensors were prone to being fooled by vehicles turning onto side roads. More than once it clamped on the brakes when the road was clear ahead. This is not a problem unique to this car but it is concerning – and potentially dangerous – that it happens.

The Tech Pack also includes a Canton sound system with 10 speakers and digital equalisers, keyless entry and start and a driving mode selector that offers eco, normal, sport and individual modes that include engine, steering (too heavy in sport), adaptive cruise, air-conditioning and dynamic lights.

That's in addition to standard equipment including an 8.0-inch touch screen that provides access to sat-nav and Bluetooth audio and streaming. There are also powered and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, Alcantara seat trim and 17-inch alloy wheels. There is a full-size spare tyre, albeit on a 16-inch rim.

As the alpha-numeric name suggests, the engine makes a healthy 132kW along with a meaty 280Nm.

As we have become accustomed to with DSGs, there is some hesitation from idle, although in this case it is frustratingly inconsistent. It sure grabs your attention when it happens though, such as when you plant your foot to scoot through a roundabout and the Scout sits there pondering for a milli-second or two before taking off.

Once up and rolling this a cohesive engine and transmission combo, revving sweetly (and even with a little aural aggression beyond 5000rpm) across a broad range and shifting cleanly. You can select 'sport' and hold on to gears that bit longer, or shift manually via the lever (there are no flappy paddles), but for the most part the DSG does the job just fine left to its own devices.

The claimed fuel consumption rate with the assistance of idle-stop is 7.1L/100km and we finished with 8.0 after a solid week of driving on a variety of city, suburban and country roads.

What those roads revealed was a firm but nicely honed suspension set-up. It's no surprise this car is somewhat disciplined as it weighs in at more than 1550kg (tare) and has that extra ride height to cope with. But the sway and roll that 'proper' off-roaders display is thankfully absent here.

Hey, the Scout is no slashing apex carver. It will doggedly understeer if you get in too hot, the stability, traction control and Haldex systems braking, throttling and shuttling to prevent a trip into the undergrowth.

Off-road it's not going to get that far either, with only moderately better ground clearance than a standard car, not that much under-body protection and a lack of low range. But it does handle slippery roads with confidence, so it's great for the trip to the beach or snow.

Around town its electric steering is friction-free for a prompt return to top-dead centre (although it came with an annoying squeak from the test car's steering column), exterior vision is good and the front and rear sensors helpful. The official turning circle claim is an acceptable 10.4m, which surprised us as it seemed larger than that.

The Scout's growth in cabin size has obvious benefits for passengers. While this is nominally a five-seater, four adults could travel in comfort front and rear thanks to a generous amount of space for extremities. The seats are also large, supportive and firm in the typical Teutonic style.

The cabin is well insulated, which means passengers don't cop as much road roar from our coarse bitumen roads as other Euros.

Luggage space is a commodious 588 litres, growing to 1718 with the rear seats split-folded. You can fit a mountain bike in there without having to pull out the front wheel. Neat details in the rear include a 12-volt socket, two storage boxes, six anchor points, four folding hooks, a reversible mat and auto tailgate opening and closing.

Further forward there are thoughtful touches too; a removable rubbish bin in the driver's door pocket, a phone/iPod holder that slots into a cupholders, bottle holders and seatback pockets.

But what really makes an impression up forward is the quality of the design and the materials. It's typically Skoda-conservative, but the essentials are all there as far as the driver is concerned – a reach and rake adjustable steering wheel, a sizeable left footrest, simple yet informative gauges and a centre stack with a combination of dials and buttons that works efficiently. The touch screen is placed quite low though, which means eyes can be dragged away from the road for too long.

The materials are soft to the touch, pleasing to the eye and a reminder that Volkswagen Group economies of scale are a real help when it comes to making you feel like you've purchased plenty of car for the money.

Which is one of the many pleasing aspects of the Octavia Scout – like most Skodas, its talents tend to emerge quietly and over time.

It is a jack of all trades rather than being especially good – or bad – at any one thing, but it sits higher on our favourites list – and lower to the ground – than many wagons that sell in much higher numbers.