“The Octavia Scout is a real smart car from the Skoda Group. Only the best models deserve such a definition, ”says Frank Welch, member of the board of directors responsible for technical development. “Our car offers customers a combination of off-road design, excellent performance, large interior space, and a high level of safety.” The novelty will become the founder of new standards in the crossover segment. "
We associate the word scout with American pioneers, although the literal translation of scout is scout. The name itself hints to the buyer about the extraordinary capabilities of a car. There is a deal of truth in it.
Sales
Nowadays, a car with all-wheel drive is unlikely to surprise anyone. This applies not only to SUVs, but also to passenger cars, which are plentiful in our market. It should be noted that the Skoda lineup includes the all-wheel drive Octavia Combi, on the basis of which the Skoda Octavia Scout is built. 2014 was marked for the domestic buyer by the appearance of this model in our market. The first sales start in late spring or early summer.
Appearance
“Scout” in comparison with its base has more serious parameters. This is confirmed by ground clearance: it is 40 mm more than the Combi model, and 16 mm more than the all-wheel drive version. The car is equipped with powerful bumpers, moldings, 17-inch wheels with alloy wheels Proteus. In addition to this, as it should be for an SUV, the model has additional bottom protection at the back and front.
But four-wheel drive with all the "lotions" does not mean that the car is able to overcome obstacles of any complexity.
The new Skoda Octavia Scout is available exclusively with two engine options: a 150-horsepower 2-liter FCI power unit or a 140-horsepower TDI PD diesel engine with a particulate filter. They both work together with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All-wheel drive is based on the Haldex multi-plate clutch mounted in front of the rear axle.
Salon
Once in the Octavia Scout salon, you immediately pay attention to a typical German “roof”, like the Golf or Leon models. Therefore, the predominant part of the devices and their placement is familiar. Also, one cannot help but notice the wet asphalt chairs and nubuck inserts of the same color. It looks very impressive.
But still there are minor problems with the ergonomics of the seats. They are narrow and long, and for passengers of large physique the edges of the pillows can pretty much put pressure on the lower thighs. You have to get used to it. As for adjusting the position of the chair, backrest, lumbar support, then everything is like the Leon model, that is, there is no electrical adjustment - everything needs to be done manually. The Skoda power package is poorer, for example, mirrors do not add up at the touch of a button. But there is a hatch, the management of which will not cause delight.
The steering wheel is similar to Seat: the placement of the multimedia system control buttons and the center console is similar. But the "donut" has a good margin of adjustment. It can be lowered almost to your knees or raised to the chest. As for the climate control unit and the display of the media system - they are more interesting than the Seat ones, but poorer than with German cars. The dashboard is not impressive. The same fuel level and temperature sensors are not entirely clear, and you have to look closely at first. I was pleased with the trip computer display, which shows the average daily mileage, fuel consumption, reminds me of the need to refuel or undergo maintenance.
The Octavia Scout has plenty of pockets for small items and 0.5-liter bottles or aluminum cans. A box of decent size is hidden under the armrest. On the wide back of the second row there is also an armrest, also used as a table or as a hatch for long arms.
The front and rear seats are electrically heated, which is important in the winter, taking into account the materials from which they are made. On the second row, people of medium height and tall will be able to sit comfortably.
Trunk
Behind the backs of passengers of the second row there is a capacious luggage compartment. Its volume can increase to 1600 liters. For transportation of bulky goods this is enough. A small minus is the lack of the ability to open the trunk from the passenger compartment. There is no doubt a multi-key, but still it is not very convenient.
Note: the gas tank flap opens when you click on it on the left side in the middle.
Octavia Scout Features
The Scout is not one of the fast-moving cars, but the automaker guarantees that it will accelerate to “hundreds” in less than 10 seconds. Even with the gas pedal pressed to the floor and the accompanying powerful roar of the engine, a quick start does not occur - the car slowly and listlessly accelerates. The speedometer needle should reach the mark of 60 km / h in first gear, but the speed limiter is activated. From the second gear, a noticeable pickup is observed, but this can not be called a serious acceleration.
Consumption
Low fuel consumption is a big plus for the Octavia Scout. With a quiet out-of-town driving, the on-board computer shows the consumption in the region of 6 liters, in urban - 10-11 liters. This is a very good indicator, corresponding to the "passport" data.