SKODA has taken the Octavia estate model and given it the A-Team treatment by adding tough-looking body kit, lots of new equipment and even raising the ride height.

The model has its own name, Scout, which is apparent by the distinctive badging on the front and rear of the car, on the door plates, steering wheel and seat backs.

And there are a number of other eye-catching features that help this 4x4 model stand out including a massive streamlined body, 17-inch alloys, Scout-specific front fog lights, black side mouldings and roof rails.

Inside there is plenty of gadgetry to be found within the exceptionally spacious cabin. Onboard technology include a clear and easy-to-navigate colour touchscreen, sat nav, a DVD drive, live traffic information, Bluetooth connectivity, a multi-function steering wheel, heated seats and plenty more besides.

With its ground clearance raised by 33mm ove the regualr Octavia estate, the Scout can cover uneven ground with ease and the off-road capability is another bonus - that said the car is never really going to take on the truly tough terrain, but would be ideal on gravel, grass or uneven roads.

But what the car does do exceptionally well is deliver on the practicality stakes. The interior is veery spacious with loads of legroom in the back. The boot can accommodate 590 litres of luggage - a capacity that can be increased to a whopping 1,580 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

Elsewhere there are a number of handy storage options scattered throughout the car including a practical glovebox, deep central bin and deep door pockets.

In fact, the only disappointing feature were the two cup holders which are far too small to hold standard take-away coffee cups or a small bottle of water with any ounce of confidence.

But that small gripe aside, the Octavia Scout proved great fun to drive. Despite its length of 4.68 metres it was agile and easy to manoeuvre with parking made all the simpler thanks to the sensors.

This car was powered by a 2.0-litre 184ps diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

According to official stats it can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 7.8 seconds, maxes out at 136mph, can achieve combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg and has carbon emissions of 129g/km.

The acceleration was smooth and responsive through the gears and the option to alter the driving modes adds to the vehicle's fun factor. The different styles are: Eco, Normal, Sport, Individual and Off-Road where the settings are changed to give added traction.

It's a car that's happy to amble around busy town centres, but is even more content when unleashed on faster lanes or motorways where it cruises along with very little road, engine or wind noise filtering through to the cabin.

The road-holding is assured and the steering nice and precise which, along with a host of top-notch safety features, help to make this car a fabulous all-rounder for families that enjoy an active lifestyle.