SEAT Leon X-Perience vs Skoda Octavia Scout - pictures

The rugged estate class is growing, and the SEAT Leon X-Perience is the latest to join the party. Does it have what it takes to beat its Skoda Octavia Scout relative? 

Priced from £26,370 in SE Tech spec, the model we tested came in at £28,330. 

It's powered by a 148bhp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TDI diesel engine, the same of which can be found in the Skoda. 

Inside, the X-Perience can be picked out over standard Leon models with brown Alcantara on the seats and door inserts, as well as orange stitching on the steering wheel and 'X-P' badges. 

Back seat space is similar to the Octavia's, so there's plenty of room, with neat touches like air vents for rear seats passengers. 

The boot weighs in at 587 litres, and can be expanded up to 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded down. 

On the road, larger alloys mean the SEAT is slightly crashier than the Skoda, but you'd hardly call it uncomfortable. 

In corners, the Leon performs better than the Skoda Octavia Scout, thanks to a stiffer suspension set-up. It feels more direct and responsive to steering inputs. 

"Alcantara trim on SE Tech models gives the X-Perience an upmarket touch. But you need to ask yourself if you can justify the £3,500 premium that adding four-wheel drive carries over the 2.0-litre TDI FR estate." - Dean Gibson, deputy

There are subtle indications as to the four-wheel drive abilities of the Leon. 

"Choosing between SE and SE Technology is a no-brainer, because while the upgrade will cost you £1,985 extra, it adds around £3,700 worth of kit. This includes SEAT's excellent LED headlights, which aren't even an option on the SE mode

"There's more scope for upgrading in SE Tech, too, including adaptive cruise (£505) and the Lux Pack (£1,250), which adds heated leather seats, electric driver's seat adjustment and silver roof rails." - James Disdale, road test editor

The two cars can be configured with different features for the boots, including guards, nets and variable boot floors. 

The Skoda Octavia Scout tested here costs £27,755. 

Power comes from the same 2.0-litre TDI engine found in the SEAT, so performance is very similar. 

Inside, the Scout feels plush as it sits near the top of the range, with a simple layout. 

Scout's door openings are squarer than the Leon's, so access is easier. Head and legroom are very similar to the SEAT. 

With the rear seats in place, the Octavia's boot trumps the Leon's at 610 litres, but folding the rear bench down reveals a step in the 1,740-litre load space.

The Octavia has a softer suspension set-up than the Leon, so there's more pitching under braking and acceleration, as well as more body roll in corners. There is plenty of grip, though. 

Like the SEAT, you have to be travelling quite quickly before the transmission feels the need to redistribute power to the rear wheels to keep the car in check. 

Scout features off-road styling cues, such as black trim on the wheelarches, but they don't reflect its real-world ability. 

"The Scout is an intriguing alternative as a flagship model for the Octavia range, and in a way, it suits Skoda's sensible image better than the fast vRS versions that are also on offer. It adds some upmarket style to the line-up, whil

"Octavia Scout carries a premium over the rest of the range. However, unlike the Leon, the standard estate is available with four-wheel drive from as little as £22,180, so the Scout isn't your only total-traction option." - James Disda