Hi there,

Short intro: I'm an unhappy Prius III owner. Isn't worth the name car if you want to drive economical (lorries drive faster) and is a gasguzzler if you don't (7l/100km isn't what you'd expect).

So I'm looking for a NICE car. Don't want a diesel - don't drive that much. So I'm in doubt about the 1.4 TSI. Reasonnably economical (certainly for that size). Reason I'm in doubt: my current piece of **** can't go up a steep slope. Wrong design .. I'm a bit afraid the 1.4 has the same problem.

Testdrive is not available in crudy belgium where only diesels are popular (low tax on diesel) and everybody forgets that diesel used on short distances burn their cylinderheaters in no time. Everybody hears about it, everybody thinks it won't happen to them :-S Ah well, I live in an excuse for a country where a French minority rules the majority. So don't fret about it.

Thanks for your replies!

Ronny

Well; as a TSI user on a 1470 kg big comfy sedan, I can say that it won't be top notch. But it shows similiar performance and driving attitude in Octavia or Jetta 1.4 TSI, which is a great. Engine is lively and will answer you reasonably. Remember it is both supercharged and turbocharged. Consumption figures may vary upon usage. I get 6.5 liters in city limits when driving gently. I think 1.4 is a compromise between performance and economy.

Well; as a TSI user on a 1470 kg big comfy sedan, I can say that it won't be top notch. But it shows similiar performance and driving attitude in Octavia or Jetta 1.4 TSI, which is a great. Engine is lively and will answer you reasonably. Remember it is both supercharged and turbocharged. Consumption figures may vary upon usage. I get 6.5 liters in city limits when driving gently. I think 1.4 is a compromise between performance and economy.

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not looking for a superfast car, I'm looking for a comfortable car that doesn't let you down once it meets a ramp or hill. I hate driving like a lorry with a sedan. That (and other major flaws in the prius) is why I'm looking for a new car (despite mine being only 1.1 yr and harldy 8000 km on the clock). I hope to find a 1.4 owner in Flanders who will let me drive one (even for a short stretch).

Well, I live in Belgium as well and I have to admit I ordered a Superb Elegance 2.0 TDI (140BHP).

I did a testdrive in the Dieteren test Centre in Kortenberg with both the 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI.

The 1.4TSI has more power than the 1.6TDI but less torque but thanks to its turbocharge it should drive a bit like a Diesel engine.

For me, the 1.6 TDI wasn't 'underpowered' but the engine isn't powerfull enough to give the car a real 'push'. With the 2.0TDI you do get that 'push'. The only sad thing about the 1.6 TDI is that it has only 5 gears.

So to conclude: I don't think the 1.4TSI will be underpowered and unless you expect a car that gives you a push in the back you'll be happy with it.

Also look at www.autoweek.nl

There you find some driver experiences and I'm shure the 1.4TSI will be one of those experiences as it is a Dutch site and Dutchmen usually aren't Diesel drivers.