Pros
- Based on VW mechanicals, so a degree of refinement is a given.
- Good value now, as the Skoda brand hasn't held on to value as well as its VW cousins. RS, in particular, is great buying.
- Station wagon version (including an RS wagon) broadens appeal.
- Quality feel.
- Well laid-out interior with enough room for families.
- All-wheel-drive wagon variant makes all sorts of sense.
Cons
- The brand unawareness that has made the Octavia good value second-hand has also made it something of an orphan model.
- Buyers still prefer VW.
- Suspension not tuned as sharply as some would like.
Is the Skoda Octavia the ideal family car for Australia? It?s not an idle question. (CarsGuide 2008)
Finally the RS is getting the GTI's most popular transmission. Yes, it's that same widely-imitated Direct Shift Gearbox the twin clutch jobbie which moves even quicker and runs even cleaner than a manual, but - of greater importance to the masses - has a full automatic drive mode.
also, Skoda Octavia Scout - AWD
*Scout is to Octavia Wagon what Outback is to Liberty - ie beefed up AWD version
Finally the RS is getting the GTI's most popular transmission. Yes, it's that same widely-imitated Direct Shift Gearbox the twin clutch jobbie which moves even quicker and runs even cleaner than a manual, but - of greater importance to the masses - has a full automatic drive mode.
also, Skoda Octavia Scout - AWD
skoda scout review [nrma]
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| outdoor scout badge |
Despite the upgrade it’s still a diesel-only proposition. As before, Volkswagen’s ever-popular 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (103TDi in Skoda speak) – which also sees service in VW Golf and Audi A3 Sportback – sits under the Scout’s bonnet and develops 103kW and 320Nm (from 1750-2500rpm). The engine is matched to either a six-speed manual transmission or the new Direct Shift Transmission (DSG) and the combination has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 6.1L/100km...In the Scout the diesel/six-speed DSG is an excellent combination and provides above average levels of performance. Having only a six-speed DSG hasn’t hampered the Scout’s performance, however – it has quick shifts during acceleration and no annoying DSG lag or clumsiness on take-off. Ride and Handling
The Scout sits 40mm higher than a regular Octavia wagon, but that hasn’t upset the Scout’s on-road manners. The extra suspension travel has also helped deliver a more compliant ride than in the regular wagon. The Scout also sits on larger diameter, low profile tyres – 17-inch verses 16-inch in the Octavia – presumably for better off-road clearance. The unsealed roads we drove on had just been hit with unseasonably heavy rain and some sections were heavily rutted as a result. The ordinary roads didn’t upset the Scout’s demeanour, with the suspension soaking up the rain filled potholes easily. Back on tarmac, the Scout is just as nicely balanced and compliant, and it feels right at home on either surface. Refinement
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| 1970s Tasmanian scout badges found in a holiday house |
The expanded Scout range is priced from $39,490, with the new six-speed DSG an extra $2300 at $41,790. The Scout Premium is an extra $4000 at $43,490 and that jumps to $45,790 with DSG. It’s worth noting the Scout is more expensive than the Volkswagen Tiguan with the same engine (but with a seven-speed DSG) by $2600. Skoda executives see the Scout wagon as a different beast and draw comparisons with Subaru and the way its Outback and Forester happily co-exist.
The Scout undercuts the class-leading Subaru Outback diesel by a small margin. Given Subaru’s status, though, that’s not a big incentive to swap brands.
All Skodas come with a three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km. Looking at the running and repair costs, the Skoda is more expensive to maintain over a five-year period than a similarly specced Volkswagen Tiguan. Put that down to the more expensive 17-inch low-profile tyres – good grip comes at a price.
Quality
The Skoda brand might be third row down in the Volkswagen empire here in Australia, but that doesn’t translate to it being third-rate in terms of build quality. The Scout is put together to Volkswagen Group’s exacting standards. Safety and Security
The Octavia scores a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The Scout shares the same package including six airbags, electronic stability program with hill hold assist, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake force distribution. All seating positions have three-point lap sash seatbelts and the front seats feature whiplash optimised front headrests. The Scout is fitted with an engine immobiliser and an optional alarm is available. Space
Inside there are plenty of storage options including a cooled centre console storage binnacle, and front door pockets that can store one-litre drink bottles. While not as large internally as the cavernous Superb wagon, the Scout can hold up to 580 litres of luggage, and the second row seats are 60/40 split folds that extend the capacity even further.
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Behind the Wheel
Front seat passengers will find the front seats comfortable and supportive, and with tilt and reach steering adjustment, the Scout will suit most shapes and sizes. The Scout is only 40mm higher than the standard Octavia wagon, but that makes a difference when you get in and out of the seats and older drivers will find the higher seat base a plus. The sharply raked front ‘A’ pillars restrict vision slightly depending on your seating position, but generally all round vision is above average.
pixies, bone machine (buy me a soda)
