Volkswagen Passat Estate
To the Manor Born…?
Second generation Passat was the first VW passenger car to be equipped with all-wheel drive back in 1984, so something of a 30 year pedigree in this second iteration of the Alltrack.
That’s Just a Shooting Brake on Stilts…
Tentative, 27mm height hike over estate, for modest ground clearance of 174mm. A whiff of the plastic nappy fails to dislodge the crown of the best looking car here, despite shouty presentation in Emergency-Stop-Bang-Ouch orange.
Hose-Down or Hoe Down?
Classic, classy, carefully detailed VW interior. Inadequate steering wheel rake means snug, comfortable driver’s seat needs lifting for best driving position. And helm-mounted switchgear a step backwards. Even more rear seat room than the Skoda.
Capability Brown or Charlie Dimmock?
Excellent standard equipment specification. Extra £4465 here spent on posh headlights, sunroof, larger 8″ touchscreen and apps, Park Assist, and ‘Advanced Telephone Connection’, which really isn’t, and should be fitted as standard.
Grouse Moor or Gymkhana Grass?
Quiet, swift and absurdly smooth progress courtesy of double-clutch transmission. Would be quickest here but for smuggling around a whopping 221kg more than the Skoda. Can’t help wondering where..? 2200kg capacity takes towing honours.
Silver Pigeon or Spud Gun?
Greater road noise and lesser ride quality than the Volvo. But pointier bows allied superior steering with far more feel and feedback combine with flappy paddles to offer the most alert, engaging drive here.
Verdict
Outstanding all-rounder; comfortable, capacious and highly competent. Might seem gently pricey in this company, but for the Volvo.
CAR WINNER
Subaru Outback
To the Manor Born…?
UK foothold established by the fealty of F Giles and his Mudfordshire muckers, then a dash of élan added by Colin McCrash and Richard Burns. But are Subaru’s efforts to civilise unburstable, work-horse 4×4 perceptions merit-worthy?
That’s Just a Shooting Brake on Stilts…
No; with a fixed, 200mm ground clearance, it’s the only machine here that isn’t just a jacked-up version of an extant estate sibling. Unfortunately, latest styling efforts are right up there with a bucket of smashed crabs.
Hose-Down or Hoe Down?
Interior a substantial, piano black and brushed metal-sponsored improvement. Still a route march behind the overall quality of rivals here, but more than holds its own in terms of seat comfort and cavernous accommodation.
Capability Brown or Charlie Dimmock?
Standard equipment levels generous, incorporating new multimedia system with big-buttoned, dad-friendly and acceptably intuitive touch screen, sat nav, dual-zone air-conditioning, CD player, Bluetooth, 18″ alloys and electric everything. Not one extra fitted.
Grouse Moor or Gymkhana Grass?
148bhp struggles to shift 1678kg with any alacrity. Matters made worse by inexplicable mating with faux-stepped CVT transmission. A leaden right foot merely signals the abattoir under the bonnet open for business. Best off-roader here.
Silver Pigeon or Spud Gun?
Schmooze potential of oleaginous CVT torpedoed by over-toughening of ride in an effort to promote handling. The latter equally devastated by light, somewhat vague steering and less mechanical grip than expected from all-wheel drive system.
Verdict
Subaru’s ongoing schizophrenia issues made metal, and comprehensively outclassed here. Manual a better drive, but not available on more powerful petrol variant.
Skoda Octavia Scout Estate
To the Manor Born…?
Pre-enforced turnip economy, Czechs amongst the finest automotive engineers in Europe. The 1930’s Skoda Superb was precisely that, and just ask Erwin Rommel about his Tatra 87. Remains of the fray just a VW clone?
That’s Just a Shooting Brake on Stilts…
Indeed, with nappies, a chin strap, and ground clearance jacked up by 33mm to 171mm -the least here. Corporate hooter something of a blank Czech, and nothing like as handsome as its Alltrack cousin.
Hose-Down or Hoe Down?
But for the badge on the steering wheel, every inch last year’s VW interior. Excellent driving position, and very comfortable front and back. More than adequate leg room astern, though less than the Passat.
Capability Brown or Charlie Dimmock?
Great specification for the money, including sat nav as standard. Options fitted include even fancier sat nav, heated everything in ‘Winter Pack’, and £100 for a space saver spare, which is simply not that clever.
Grouse Moor or Gymkhana Grass?
Lesser iteration of VW’s 2.0 litre turbodiesel, but the Skoda weighs less than 1500kg, so is the quickest here on paper. No paddles, so Sport mode needed to sharpen the responses of the DSG gearbox.
Silver Pigeon or Spud Gun?
Somewhat firm, nuggety ride; not uncomfortable, but delivers the occasional thump to the pants. Steering nicely weighted, good body control, fine balance when pushed and tenacious in the wet. Unsurprisingly Alltrack-alike to drive.
Verdict
VW parts bin proletariat status shines through, especially on board, after dark. But great value for money, and a must for the badge-indifferent.
Volvo V60 Cross Country
To the Manor Born…?
With the XC range fulfilling the Swedish Utility Vehicle role for Volvo, it’s down to the Cross Country fleet to provide the more svelte alternative for the less horse box-towing, point-to-point picnic-prone.
That’s Just a Shooting Brake on Stilts…
Cranked up an extra 65mm for 201mm of underfloor air, it sports front and rear skid plates and beefier wheel arches, yet retains the ugly tailgate/rear bumper juxtaposition of all Volvo estates. Handsome otherwise.
Hose-Down or Hoe Down?
Peerless seat comfort and outstanding driving position. ‘Flying bridge’ centre console buys little useable extra storage, and volcanic red background to superb instrumentation something of a mystery in this unsporting environment. Rear decidedly cramped in this company.
Capability Brown or Charlie Dimmock?
Standard equipment all you’d expect for £38,000. This car topped up with every safety option under the sun, laminated windows, leather and keyless go, and a ‘Winter Pack’ with ‘Active Bending Lights’. So properly pricey.
Grouse Moor or Gymkhana Grass?
All-wheel drive forces retention of 2.4 litre, 5-cylinder turbodiesel of yore. Power on a par with Passat, but torque, and mooing noises, greater. Heaviest car here, though, so not as fleet as VW group offerings.
Silver Pigeon or Spud Gun?
Superior straight line ride quality with fine insulation for all occupants. Steering a submarine hatch; too heavy and epidural-numb, which doesn’t encourage throwing around, despite respectable levels of grip. Finest motorway cruiser of the group.
Verdict
Not a driver’s car but, for comfort and practicality, incredibly well thought out, rugged and solid. As you’d expect, given the price tag…