Are motorists experiencing a sudden and inexplicable desire to spend more time off road? Surely that can be the only explanation for the proliferation off ruggedised estate cars rolling off production lines.

One of the latest manufacturers to enter the fray is Skoda with its Scout. It seems it’s not enough to simply add all wheel drive – the benefits of which make its desirability understandable – instead some motorists want beefed up looks that whisper to the world ‘I’m an estate, yes, but show me the rough stuff and I’ll show you a clean pair of heels”. It’d probably add “As long as it’s not too rough, that is”.

So, what does the Scout offer that the regular 4x4 Octavia doesn’t? Well, you get increased ground clearance, black plastic trim around the wheel arches and on the bumpers and sills and black rubbing strips. Its off-road credentials are further enhanced by the addition of chunky skid plates at the front and rear.

Silver roof rails and mirrors and chrome window trim complete the look and, as well as differentiating the Scout from other family members, help give the car a slightly more upmarket look.

The standard Octavia is a handsome, if uninspiring, automobile, with simple lines and sharp creases giving it a straightforward, solid appearance that, judging by the number visible on our roads, has broad appeal.

Inside Skoda has tried to move the Scout a little more upmarket with plusher materials although, it has to be said, not all of their efforts have been successful. There are wood-effect inserts in the doors and around the gear lever with a metallic finish that’s simply unnatural.

The layout is reassuringly simple and everything, including the familiar VW Group multimedia system, is easy to use. From the driver’s seat you’ll be able to admire the chronograph watch-inspired instruments between which sits a useful colour multi-function display.

Gloss black trim on the centre console helps provide some welcome visual excitement but there remains some harder plastics around the cabin although these do tend to be in less well-explored places.

Build quality is, as always, excellent.

The Scout sits on the MQB platform and is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel lifted from the vRS. It’s available with either 181 or 148bhp with the latter a not insignificant £3,000 cheaper. The higher output engine is only available coupled to a six-speed DSG gearbox.

The 148bhp model certainly doesn’t lack for grunt. Maximum torque is available from 1,750rpm and the engine pulls keenly and smoothly whichever gear you’re in. The motor is a little gruff on start-up and under hard acceleration but, at cruising speeds, the cabin is a lot quieter.

Underpinning all that go (almost) anywhere ambition is the Haldex all-wheel drive which, during normal driving sends power to the front wheels. However, when the system detects the front wheels are struggling for grip it can send power to the rears to improve traction.

The very best driver aids are so good because they work behind the scenes, undetected, and the Haldex system does just that, imperceptibly transferring power between the axles and keeping wheelspin to an absolute minimum.

The Scout is an incredibly comfortable steer. The ride is cosseting and the suspension dispatches most broken surfaces with very little fuss. Even high-frequency imperfections fail to provide the springs with a severe test.

Despite the increased ride height the Scout corners reasonably flat while the nicely weighted steering is direct and linear which means that, while this is a car built for off-roading, it’s more than capable of raising a few smiles on it.

Given that the Scout is not much more than an Octavia on steroids it does, of course, share the standard estate’s excellent level of practicality. The boot is generous, its 610-litre capacity large enough to give anything else in the class a run for its money, while with the rear seats folded that grows to a huge 1,740 litres

The capacious boot doesn’t come at the expense of head and leg room for rear seat passengers either. There’s enough space in the back for grown-ups even behind a couple of six-footers.

The Scout, with it’s rugged (good?) looks is available from £25,700 but, if you can make do without the extra clearance and additional appendages – and let’s be honest, who can’t – you can pick up an SE trim with all-wheel drive for £23,480.

You’d have to make do with a marginally less plush interior but it’s no less comfortable, quiet or well built. It’s just as much fun too.

As a package the Scout largely has its rivals from other manufacturers licked. It’s greatest threat lies much closer to home.

Skoda Octavia Estate Scout 2.0 TDI 184PS 4x4 DSG

Price: £28,200

As tested: £31,120

Engine: 2.0 TDI

Transmission: 6-speed DSG driving all four wheels

Max Power: 182bhp

Max torque: 280lbft @ 1,750rpm

Max speed: 136mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 7.8sec

Urban: 50.4mpg

Extra urban: 61.4mpg

Combined: 56.5mpg

Emissions (CO2): 129g/km

For more information visit www.skoda.co.uk