IT'S probably fair to say Bear Grylls won't have the Skoda Octavia Scout on his automobile ‘must have' list.

Despite its adventurous name, the doyen of survival in the wild would doubtless require something a little more hardcore.

For the majority of us though, and especially those who regularly encounter muddy fields and rutted tracks, the Scout is a car that combines the no-nonsense value of its Octavia stablemates with some useful off-road capability.

Families who don't want the expense of a serious mud-plugger but need the space and practicality of an estate with the kit to get them out of a sticky spot are the target audience for this car.

To that end the Scout has a ride height increased by 33mm, all-wheel drive and an electronic differential lock, which can brake one of the wheels if it starts to slip, sending power to the other side until the Skoda regains traction.

That's in addition to more cosmetic, though nonetheless useful, extras like protective under body panels and plastic mouldings on the bumpers and wheel arches - which Skoda calls its rough road package.

There's also exclusive Scout badging both inside and out.

Unlike the standard Octavia hatchback and estate models, which feature a wide engine choice, the Scout only offers the brand's 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit but with either 150 or 184bhp.

The 150bhp version is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox while the tested higher power model comes with a DSG dual-clutch automatic.

And given that the latter shares its powerplant with the performance oriented vRS, you won't be let down for lack of punch.

Figures of 0-62 in 7.8 seconds and a 136mph top speed speak for themselves while the Scout's Combined cycle fuel economy of 55.4mpg isn't to be sniffed at either.

Otherwise the Volkswagen-owned company's Simply Clever features bring ideas like an ice scraper in the filler cap, a double-sided boot cover, retractable parcel shelf, mobile phone holder and bins in the door pockets.

Interior space is first rate, along with the overall fit and finish - and should you need to tug a caravan the car has a 2000kg towing capacity.

I never thought the day would come when you were able to splash out £5,500 on Skoda extras, but by the time options like bi-xenon and LED daytime running lights at £900, sat-nav (£800), Canton sound system (£400), a panoramic sunroof (£950), Winter Pack (£450) and metallic paint (£525) have been factored in, well you're almost there.

: 3yrs/60,000 miles