THE all-wheel drive Skoda Octavia Scout enters the second decade of the new century on a more even footing with its rivals.

No petrol engine is on offer, but since September 2008 there has been a marked trend towards diesel power, especially in the softroader sector, so this no longer presents quite the disadvantage it seemed when the Scout was launched.

Importantly, the other major shortcoming – the absence of any automatic transmission option – has been addressed with the introduction of an advanced DSG twin-clutch automated manual gearbox.

This transmission, like others of its kind – remembering that Audi, also a company within the Volkswagen Group, was a major innovator in this field several years ago – combines most of the best elements of a three-pedal transmission with those of a conventional torque converter auto.

While technically it is not an automatic gearbox, at the interface with the driver it behaves like one. The six-speed manual is standard. A minor facelift gives the 2011 Scout a more muscular, offroad image.

Skoda Australia has also released a high-spec Premium model, which adds niceties such as polished alloy wheels, leather upholstery and a sunroof to an already generous list of standard inclusions.