Given that a scout seems to cost anything between 2-4k more than the equivalent 4x4 Octavia estate, are there any reasons I should pay the extra for the scout?

I'm not looking to drive off road, just want 4x4 to cope with muddy/icy country lanes.

Any reason why you don;t want to compare like for like - eg a 2.0 TDI PD Scout with a 2.0 TDI PD 4x4?

Re you buying new or used? I believe the Scout line up has now been dropped by Skoda, so if you want new it might have to be the 4x4.

As for second hand? well look around autotrader etc. there don't seem to be an awful lot of Octy 4x4's around.

Second hand when I bought mine "Scout" was the only option (And diesel at that).

If you are comparing a 2.0 TDi Scout to a 1.9 TDi 4x4 then it isn't really fair to make a direct comparison on price as the different engines alone often justify a significant difference on even the non-4x4 Octavia's.

The Scout has additional underbody protection and slightly increased ride height (due to the larger wheels) compared to the 4x4.

It also has a very generous standard specification.

The main advantage is it's appearance, cosmetically it looks better. Larger wheels, chunky tyres, plastic wheelarch and sill covers, different front and rear bumpers with aluminium effect panels, twin stainless steel exhausts, kick plates, passenger grab handle, silver pedals etc. etc.

Used Scouts demand a premium because they are more desirable. As they are expensive to buy new a lot of them are loaded with options too (xenon headlights, leather, sunroof, Maxidot, MFSW, sat nav etc.)

If you aren't bothered by looks or toys then the normal 4x4 with its 16" alloys will be just as capabale (if not more so) off-road, but as others have mentioned they are rare second hand, even rarer than Scouts.

12 months ago you'd be lucky to pick up even an early 2007 Scout up with 100K+ miles for less than £12,000. Since then there have been loads of them crop up, I counted 81 on Autotrader a few weeks ago so choice is plentiful and prices are dropping.

People often say how the standard or performance (vRS) Octavia is a hell of a lot of car for the money. They are but the Scout takes it to another level, it is such a fantastic all-rounder.

As mentioned above the Scout is now no longer available to order new but Skoda pre-built a load for the UK so there are lots of unregistered ones sat at dealers looking for homes...

Superb CR170 4x4 Elegance.....it is tempting the daylights out of me......in fact I am finding less and less going against this car every time I see one....

People often say how the standard or performance (vRS) Octavia is a hell of a lot of car for the money. They are but the Scout takes it to another level, it is such a fantastic all-rounder.

Especially when the latter have a dpf delete and Shark Stage 1 remap...

I know the Scout is out of production, but I don't think that the 4x4 is being produced either. So, second-hand will probably be your only option in the Octavia 4WD space. Alternatively, if ride height isn't an issue and your budget will stretch to it, then, as mentioned above, the Superb CR170 4x4 ought to be on your potential shopping list. Lovely car provided off-road capability is not essential.