For those considering a 4x4 or Scout I just thought I'd post up my experience from yesterday of just how capable and impressive the drivetrain is.

Was out doing inspections for work yesterday. Needed to park off a singletrack road to a hill farm. There was an open field that sloped down to the road at about 40 degrees(?) with a rutted grassy access at one edge(I didn't measure the angle so this is a bit of a guess but it was certainly steeper than any road by miles!) . Drove up that so that the car was off the road and no more (thanks to the ground clearance approach wasn't a problem). Quite awkward to get out of a car that is pointing up that kind of gradient!

Did my inspections and returned to the car. Before reversing back onto the road I thought I'd test the 4wd system by trying to set off up the hill from where I was. TBH - given the gradient, grassy surface and the fact that the Scout comes with road tyres I was expecting a four wheel spin before consigning myself to no more forward progress and backing onto the road.

So - lowered myself into the seat (literally) - enaged first - gently put the throttle down and for about 1 - 2secs the revs built up with no movement (surely a sign of the four wheel spin I thought) - then the computer must have kicked in because you could feel the slight judderiness of individual wheels being braked independently and I was moving off up the hill!!

Really impressive technology - would have taken a photo but I had someone with me.

So unless I find myself in wet clay-ey mud on a damp day when the top surface is like grease and the tyre treads fill with mud and become slicks - I can't see me getting stuck anytime soon. I was obviously expecting off road prowess better than a car but the Scout would certainly give the majority of SUVs a good run for their money in most conditions. As the 4x4 has the same system I wouldn't expect it to be any different either.

Even more pleased with the purchase than before - in addition to the car like handling, economy, performance, practical Estate car shape and high level of spec.

Niall

That is great to hear - I haven;t had the opportunity to test out our 4x4 in too much anger yet (was hoping for plenty of bad weather/snow over the last few months) so to hear that someone else has with good results is great!

I just tested my 4x4 in extreme snow conditions 2 days ago.

I was plowing with no problem through 40cm+ of snow on our driveway (about 50m), the only problem was reverse parking (at 90 deg to the driveway). It got stuck a bit and I had to rock it into motion.

Cheers

It would probably beat many SUV's not just give them a run for their money as the scout is generally lighter than the likes of CRV's etc.

The only thing it wont beat is those motors with low range. I have taken a Navara (new one) to places that you wouldnt want to walk and been mightely impressed but only cos of the low range box.

I saw a red scout on tesco car park the other day, one of the first I have seen on the road (scout that is) and looked really quite nice.

Steve