Yes it is a complicated subject. Unfortunately both Scout versions have too high a gross weight, which is why I recommended the VRS. Only the 4x4 version is suitable really as the weight of the 4x4 system bumps up the kerbweight to give you a reasonably good match. So yes, this would be much better than the Golf due to the extra weight and 4wd.
Although the VRS has sports suspension and is slightly lower (13mm) than the standard Octavia, the tow ball will at the correct height as this is a technical requirement of type approval. The stiffer suspension of sportier vehicles often takes the noseweight of the caravan better too.
If you would prefer to stay with a Golf, the 150ps manual version of the Golf Alltrack would be another reasonable match. The 184ps dsg of the alltrack is no good as again too high gross weight.
The 85% rule is a guide, not a law. Having said that, it is sensible to observe it for newcomers to caravaning. The reason for it is because towing a caravan is unlike towing most other things. You are in effect pulling a sail behind you! A light for its size box with a big surface area to catch the wind. The 85% rule is there to ensure the towing vehicle keeps the upper hand. It is more to do with stability than power/performance. Having said that, if you don’t load the van correctly the 85% rule won’t save you.
The rule states that the caravan should weigh no more than 85% of the cars Kerbweight.
Kerbweight is the weight of the vehicle including all supplied tools, 90% fuel, full other fluids and a 75kg driver. Be careful with this as some manufacturers don’t include the driver! For what we are doing here you can say kerbweight and mass in service are the same thing.
If a vehicle manufacturer will either publish a minimum kerbweight or a range. The manufacturer have data tables of how factory fitted options affect the kerbweight. I don’t have information for the Octavia to hand but I would expect the factory fit towbar would add about 30kg and a spare wheel with tools (instead of a can of gunk) about 25kg. A panorama sunroof would be another good weight adding option! Technically the mass in service figure on the V5 should include options, but often they are registered with the figure it says in the brochure!
Now your van has a gross weight of 1430kg, but you don’t need to load it to that! I would expect it is at least 155kg under that with nothing in it. So if you find the true kerbweight of your chosen car multiply it by 0.85 and load the caravan up to this figure (as long as below 1430kg!) you will have a perfect 85% match. Put everything else in the car. As you build confidence and learn how to load the caravan for optimum stability you can work up to the 90% match your caravan fully loaded would give you (assuming VRS 4x4 with no options)
Don’t let anyone tell you a full size 4x4 is best, or even a necessity, for towing a caravan - it isn’t. While they may be great at dealing with muddy fields, for stability they are not so good. I have seen the wind tunnel testing! Any doubters - next time you see an overturned caravan, just look what was pulling it!
good luck
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