ONCE upon a time every large car manufacturer had a 4x4 version of its large family saloon.

Twenty years ago, you were spoilt for choice. Vauxhall had the Cavalier, Ford fans could pick the Sierra and Europhiles could choose from the Renault 25 Quadra, the Peugeot 405 or the Citroen BX.

But one-by-one the big boys have dropped out of the race. Four-wheel drive versions of large family cars have been replaced by SUVs.

So what’s a dad to do?

You could buy a Subaru but, with a mere 4,000 UK sales last year, few people do.

There’s also the Audi A6 Allroad but, with the basic model costing £42,255, that’s a car only the wealthy can afford.

If you’re after a 4x4 saloonbut don’t want to pay Audi prices you’ll be wanting a Seat or a Skoda.

The new Seat Leon X-Perience range starts at £24,385 but the larger (and posher) Skoda Octavia estate comes in at a bargain-busting £22,715 for the 2.0 TDI.

The Octavia 4x4 won’t sell in big numbers but it fills a gap in the market at a very attractive price.

ON THE ROAD: ​The Octavia 4x4 looks just the same as its front drive cousin apart from a discreet blink-and-you’ll-miss-it badge on the rear hatch. Some drivers might hanker after a bit more bling for their investment but the Octavia has never been a flashy motor.

The Octavia’s looks are deceiving, however. To go with the 4x4 running gear, Skoda adds sophisticated multi-link rear suspension and electronic diff locks on both axles for extra traction.

The test car was powered by the ubiquitous VW Group 2.0-litre TDI workhorse that’s seen action in everything from a Yeti to a Golf these past few years.

Although the all-wheel drive model weighs 100kg more than its 2WD cousin (the equivalent of carrying an adult male passenger) the extra beef isn’t noticeable thanks to the diesel engine’s torque. The Octavia accelerates smartly away from the traffic lights and at 60mph there’s plenty in reserve for nippy overtakes.

In normal day-to-day driving the reason why the Octavia feels just like a 2WD model is because, well, it is. To save fuel and tyre wear the intelligent 4x4 system only brings the rear wheels into play when it needs to in slippery conditions.

The diff locks make the 4x4 more surefooted on greasy roads and in snow and ice. Fit a set of winter tyres and you’ll have more than enough grip to overcome all but the most extreme conditions (the kind of weather that would test a ‘lifestyle’ SUV to the limit).

Soft-roaders like the Qashqai 2WD may look the part, but it’s the Octavia 4x4 that will get you home.

​ ON THE INSIDE: ​Skoda has really upped its game on the third gen Octavia.

Previous to this, Octavia’s have always felt a bit utilitarian – perfectly comfortable and well-built but lacking in the sense of occasion that marks a good car out from a purely practical one.

The new model’s interior is a real step up, though, with high quality plastics, soft-damped switchgear, clear instrumentation and a large touch-screen infotainment interface.

The room door bins are lined with a felt-like material to stop keys and change rattling around and all the various cubby holes have practical rubber linings.

​ WHAT DO YOU GET: ​Although Skoda has added some high-tech kit to the Octavia the test model (a mid-range SE) was still missing automatic lights and cruise control which are only available on the Elegance trim level.

The touch-screen infotainment system has a slot for an SD card loaded with MP3s, an auxiliary input for your phone and a CD player. For an extra £180 you get the Bluetooth+ set-up which links wirelessly with a phone for hands free calling and streams your favourite music. Pairing is straightforward and the wireless connection seems robust with no drop-outs or bad reception.

A Columbus sat navigation system is a £170 option on SE models.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT? ​The new Octavia is 108mm longer than its predecessor – a stretch that has taken it out of the Golf/Astra class and within touching distance of the Passat/Insignia models.

The extra length is obvious from the back seats, where there is much more legroom, and the huge 610-litre boot.

RUNNING COSTS: Although the new Octavia is appreciably larger than its predecessor Skoda’s use of high strength steels in its construction means the body isn’t any heavier. And if you’re a car designer weight equals fuel consumption.

The 1.6 TDI looks a good bet if you place a premium on maximum mpg but the rather wimpy power output means you have to put up with glacial acceleration and a five speed gearbox.

The 2.0-litre TDi has more of everything (including more forward ratios in the gearbox) and is an acceptable trade off. During a week of mixed driving it returned a creditable 44mpg.

​ VERDICT: ​On a purely practical basis a large estate car with 4x4 is all the car most of us could ever need. The only reason we’re not all driving them is that an Octavia Estate doesn’t have the same kerbside cache as a trendy soft-roader. That said, I know which one I’d rather have – and it isn’t the one that looks like it’s on stilts.

​ Spec:​ Engine: ​2.0 TDI Power: ​150PS Torque: ​340Nm Top speed: ​129mph 0-62mph: ​9.1 seconds Fuel economy: ​57.6mpg (official combined) CO2 emissions: ​124g/km Price: £22,715 Equipment: ​Electric windows, mirrors, DAB digital radio tuner, Bluetooth, CD player, touchscreen, 16-inch alloys, front fogs, hill holder, stop/start engine system, voice control for phone connection.