+1 for the Skoda Octavia. We get up to 50mpg out of our 2.0 TDI Scout – it’s nice to drive, reasonably quick and the Haldex 4×4 system works really well, only kicking in when you need it. Not had much call for it this year as its been so mild, but the year before last it got us out of some sticky situations in the ice and snow which we really wouldn’t have managed in a 2WD car.
We were snowed in in Dulverton on Exmoor over Christmas for a few days, all the cars on the high street completely iced in. The Scout was the only car on the street (including some “proper” 4x4s) which managed to get out!
The Scout has from memory an additional 2″ ground clearance over the and a few more gizmos over the standard 4×4, but they’re equally capable.