... Not everyone who wants 4x4 wants the agricultural look!

Same here, which is why I do not want a Scout. I like the fact that the 4x4 estate is a "stealth" 4x4 and looks exactly like a 2WD estate.

And I like estates. And I like purposeful, no-nonsense look of them. Can't see any point in buying a hatchback which is almost as large, almost as heavy and almost as thirsty but which is far less versatile and has less room in it even with the rear seats up.

The only thing I would want less than a hatchback would be a saloon - i.e., a car without a hatchback. What on Earth is the point of that?

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

Same here, which is why I do not want a Scout. I like the fact that the 4x4 estate is a "stealth" 4x4 and looks exactly like a 2WD estate.

Same here. Love the stealth 4x4. It doesn't need to dress up, just all business.

my mk1 4x4 turbo was a better all rounder than the mk2 vrs i replaced it with; primarily down to its tractive abilities.

I would be interested to read a direct comparison between a 2WD and 4WD Octavia, particularly with regard to tractive ability. Just how effective was the 4WD of your earlier car, and in what kind of conditions? I presume you didn't need it for extreme terrain, otherwise you wouldn't have moved on to a 2WD car.

(Please feel free to PM me or start another thread if you prefer - save taking this thread too far off-topic.)

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

It's simple enough. A 4wd car can corner faster in the real world. My Scout is surprisingly adept at devouring rural B-Roads, despite it's size.

After previously driving nowt but FWD cars I was familiar with what happens adding gas mid corner or half way round a roundabout - gradual understeer. Adding right foot with the Scout mid-bend simply adds grip rather than taking it away. It's a great feeling and as someone who enjoys driving I'm resolved to always have an AWD car from now on as a result; despite originally going for a Scout for ground clearance and protective cladding (I'm in and around agriculture....) with 4wd as an extra for off tarmac.

The fact you can hustle it down the road quickly, efficiently and safely is the icing on the cake.

Niall

It's simple enough. A 4wd car can corner faster in the real world. My Scout is surprisingly adept at devouring rural B-Roads, despite it's size.

Thanks, but it was the traction in slippery conditions (especially if towing) I was mainly concerned about - occasional snow, muddy roadside verges, field gateways, wet grass car parks and an occasionally soggy grass airfield.

All those scenarios would be dispatched with aplomb by a 4wd car (see my sig). If you get stuck then you've gone somewhere you shouldn't have!!

All those scenarios would be dispatched with aplomb by a 4wd car (see my sig). If you get stuck then you've gone somewhere you shouldn't have!!

Fair enough! And (ignoring ground clearance / rough terrain issues, which I am unlikely to have to deal with), purely in terms of coping with slippery surfaces, given your experience of agricultural surroundings, how does the traction of the 4x4 Octavia compare with that of an out-and-out 4x4 SUV, please?

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

Well if you're looking solely at traction then it simply comes down to tyres.

Remember that the system used by VAG isn't that different to that used by JLR in the Freelander AFAIK - they're both Haldex. Land Rover have a fancier TC system mind for off roading but the underlying system for delivering power to the wheels is the same.

I've seen a Disco stranded in a wet grass field because it had 'shopping tyres' on (the owners words not mine) the Road bias treads filled up with earth and then all four wheels happily went round on the spot at the same speed.

Equally my Scout outdrove a Disco 3 and FL2 in our head office car park back in 2010 after a huge dump of snow. I had winter tyres, they didn't.

All of this is well beyond the scenarios you were generally describing. The driver still has a job to do in assessing conditions and planning their route - if you stop in a muddy hole at the bottom of a steep hill, don't blame the vehicle if you can't get going again!!

Ultimately do you want a useful Estate car shape that can achieve good economy and go where you want within reason, or pay handsomely to push a prestige brick through air?....

.....so to get it back on track. The new Octavia 4x4 sounds pretty good for most scenarios!

Ultimately do you want a useful Estate car shape that can achieve good economy and go where you want within reason, or pay handsomely to push a prestige brick through air?....

.....so to get it back on track. The new Octavia 4x4 sounds pretty good for most scenarios!

Indeed! That seems to sum it up very well. I definitely don't want a large, SUV-style 4x4 - I live in the middle of a suburban housing esate and I'd look like a pretentious Wally with such a vehicle. I know, 'cos I've got neighbours like that!

I want a normal, unpretentious, un-ostentatious, boring, conventional-looking car (well, estate car - I want a long load bay, to sleep in occasionally) which is also economical, reliable, versatile and which happens to be be able to cope with occasional snow, wet grass and muddy surfaces (not deep mud or mountain tracks). I've got a bright red sports car to flash around in when I want to show off or pose!

In other words, what I want as my 'sensible' car is what has been described elsewhere as a "stealth" 4x4.

And yes, of course, with suitable tyres, at least in winter. What's the point of having 4WD otherwise?

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

I'd hope it comes with the option of less wheel and more tyre.

I'm finding it quite bland, but the colours shown don't help. A scout type protection package will at least break up the endless expanse of same colour paint. It will be a very practical car regardless.

Like Niall, I find 4wd has a lot of handling benefits. All my vehicles are 4wd, various systems and the viscous 4wd one gives the least handling benefit. But it's just a work-hack.

I like my vehicles to handle very well, cross a bit of rough ground without getting bellied and not get stuck in greasey/muddy/snowy conditions. The antithesis of the lowered 2wd cars on bigger and bigger wheels that we keep seeing.

Edited 4 May, 201313 yr by Kiwibacon