I'm in the market for a hot hatch but am torn between the Skoda 230RS and Seat 290Cupra.  I've had a 2007 RS before and loved it, apart from the endless breakdowns (but I put that down to it being bought second hand from a dishonest dealer).  Whilst I love the looks of the 230RS, its missing some 'vital' bits of kit that sway me to a 290Cupra.

 

Pros of the 230RS

- has the very good front diff which is missing on the standard RS

- beautiful interior and exterior (all black with red stitching)

- huge boot space

- can fit smaller wheels than 19" hence making winter wheel options more financially viable

- cheaper than Cupra (in the spec I want) (30K EUR vs 33K EUR)

- seems the more sensible option

 

What the 230RS is missing that sways me to a Cupra290

- 60hp (or thereabouts)

- bucket seats

- adaptive suspension

- full lead lights

- Performance pack with Brembo brakes

 

Most other options are pretty much identical.

 

Does anybody have any insight (or even speculation) whether the facelift Octavia III will have LED lights and adaptive suspension?  Also, when might it be due?

 

Has anyone driven both?

 

The pictures below are of the Octavia I went to see on Saturday.

 

 

Absolutely no contest to me, especially as you start your post with "I'm in the market for a hot hatch" ie not a fast family car etc.

 

Cupra 290 all day long (but its actually more as it runs the full fat 300ps Golf R file according to the technical guys on SeatCupra.net)

 

​The 230 may have the diff but i'm led to believe that its more effective/aggressive when in Cupra mode on the Seat (which ive driven a number of times now and am really impressed with). Also, Im guessing you aren't talking about a UK market car with euros being mentioned - bucket seats and the sub8 performance pack are two very nice options to have but over here they are just that - options! If your market includes them as standard its well worth the 3k euros difference imo! The adaptive suspension on the Cupra is very very good also, better than many others ive used - it turns it into a Jekyl and Hyde car - very comfy even on the 19's - when you want it to be.

 

I personally don't see what the fuss is about the LED lights. They look great as daytime running lights but I think my bi Xenon lamps on the Yeti were actually better on some familiar roads. Ultimately the only way id be going for the VRS 230 would be if I really needed the space and therefore was willing to compromise on the driving experience. Although saying that id be ordering the Cupra ST sub8 so an estate version anyway. And just to clarify. I havent driven a 230 specifically but I have driven a number of manual and DSG 220 VRS's and owned a mk2 VRS tuned to stage 2+. As a hot hatch the Cupra does it so much better imo

Down to personal taste, I tried the Cupra before deciding on an R.  I did not like the Cupra interior, seemed dark and poorly laid out to me and a bit low rent. But the power through just the front wheels seemed better controlled than I expected but came across as a bit of a hooligan compared to the R

RE the LED lamps on the Seat, I believe they are not adaptive so have no cornering or dynamic leveling capability.

They are bright and a million times more effective than Halogens but the Bi-Xenon AFS set up on the Octavia is probably better because of its dynamic capabilities which work wonders in the real world.

Bit like the Golf GTE....that comes with non-adaptive LEDs as standard AFS Bi-xenons are a +1k option.

Id say if you dont need the space, neither are anything to write home about in terms of longer term residual value (not sure that matters) so would day go with the Cupra. You can always get a Cupra ST 290 if space is an issue...I actually think its better looking than the hatch.

If I were looking to spend 30-odd K euros on a fast hatch personally though Id still probably go Golf R/estate or M135i.

Thanks for your replies guys.  I've just returned from a test drive in the 230RS and although it is fantastic, it doesn't have the X-factor I'm looking for.  I'm looking to buy in Slovakia and the one I drove was the only demo 230 in the whole country .  There is however no demo 290Cupra (or 280 or 265), but they are in the showrooms.  I saw a 265 in entry spec and it looks very nice.  The interior isn't as nicely laid out as the RS230, but I think the driving experience is more important for me.  Don't get me wrong, the 230RS is brilliant, but really its a fast car rather than a hot hatch as you guys pointed out.

 

The Golf R is nice, saw one yesterday, but the price was 50K (starts at around 39K) and I don't think the extra money would be justified (even though the R is 4x4). I'm in no rush to buy, so will probably look at other competitors as well, but on paper, running costs, and initial investment, the Cupra seems to outweigh the rest.  The Cupra can only be ordered from week 45 (November) as they have stopped making the 280 and are launching the 290.

 

The Cupra will also have a 6 year 150,000 KM warranty, which is very appealing.

Looks for me the 230RS wins hands down. The standard seats are nice too.

However if your in the market for a Cupra and can afford the bucket seats (£1500 option over here) then it's a no brainer.

I've been looking at the ST Cupra again after my car isn't likely to arrive on time, but no new ones in the country apparently that are available, all the dealer demos arent on 0% PCP so can't justify the difference in price.

If you need the space buy the Octavia, otherwise the Seat will be the more fun sports hatch.

Driven a Cupra 280 and it was very good even with 19" wheels. But I would just worry about performance in damp/wet trying to get the power down.

No idea on the Octavia 230 but did have aa Octavia vRS mk2 before and found it to be a big car and very noticeably big compared to the Leon/Golf but the boot was handy for load lugging.

I managed to get an R for virtually the same money as a Cupra 280, so 4x4 putting the power down was a no brainer for me.

I can't comment on the vrs but I have the 280 ST and my god it is fast! Love the car with the front diff, progressive steering, dynamic chassis control. I prefer the vrs interior and also think I prefer its looks but CUPRA ST is also a lot less common than the VRS which is nice as well.

Edited 28 September, 201510 yr by Brettreading

This thread has got me ringing Seat dealers for 2nd hand Cupra ST's...

I have weighed up the options between RS230 and Cupra290 and the Seat has won it.  Will be looking at what the competition offers, otherwise come November I'll be ordering myself a Cupra.

This thread has got me ringing Seat dealers for 2nd hand Cupra ST's...

There are plenty on auto trader ....ex dealer show cars.

I got mine from DTD for £26k with plenty of extras. Amazing car for the price.

Edited 28 September, 201510 yr by Brettreading

This thread has got me ringing Seat dealers for 2nd hand Cupra ST's...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-LEON-2-0-TSI-280-CUPRA-SPORT-TOURER-ESTATE-DEMO-/271855056070?hash=item3f4bd2f4c6

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Seat-Leon-2-0-TSI-Cupra-280-Sports-Tourer-DSG-5dr-start-stop-/281790888530?hash=item419c0bba52

There are plenty on auto trader ....ex dealer show cars.

I got mine from DTD for £26k with plenty of extras. Amazing car for the price.

Yeah I'm looking at a couple around the 22k mark to keep the payments down. It's the bloody 0% finance that I've got that make it hard to justify not waiting for the VRS. Just wish they'd done it on the 230 as would have the car already.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-LEON-2-0-TSI-280-CUPRA-SPORT-TOURER-ESTATE-DEMO-/271855056070?hash=item3f4bd2f4c6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Seat-Leon-2-0-TSI-Cupra-280-Sports-Tourer-DSG-5dr-start-stop-/281790888530?hash=item419c0bba52

Have you been stalking my internet history!

ame="Brettreading" post="4393567" timestamp="1443472920"]

Yeah I'm looking at a couple around the 22k mark to keep the payments down. It's the bloody 0% finance that I've got that make it hard to justify not waiting for the VRS. Just wish they'd done it on the 230 as would have the car already.

Got mine on HP with 50 % down (paid for from selling VRS mk2) and £360 a month at 0% APR.

If you are up around £26k would you not consider a Golf R if you could get it around the same price?

Edited 28 September, 201510 yr by Defenderben

If you are up around £26k would you not consider a Golf R if you could get it around the same price?

I couldn't find a R estate anywhere near £26k. On DTD they were around £33k with same spec (obviously have 4wd though) and the VW wanted 6.9% APR as well.

Have you been stalking my internet history!

Haha...yep I do like the black one...shame I need a LHD one :(

 

I've been looking at ones in Germany also on mobile.de... very very few have the performance pack and bucket seats I'm after.

 

I will probably be buying new...I know they depreciate but I won't be looking to sell for at least 5 years.  Also, I've bought 3 second hand cars now so I justify spending more for a new one now

Ah sorry missed the estate bit...As I was not far off £26k for a new Golf R hatch.

Got mine on HP with 50 % down (paid for from selling VRS mk2) and £360 a month at 0% APR.

No new cupras anywhere to not have to wait at least 19 weeks for a new Cupra. Only reason I'm considering the seat is the haldex diff being missing off of the VRS 220 I've ordered. My MINI had a proper LSD and I miss it's effect...

No new cupras anywhere to not have to wait at least 19 weeks for a new Cupra. Only reason I'm considering the seat is the haldex diff being missing off of the VRS 220 I've ordered. My MINI had a proper LSD and I miss it's effect...

I believe the RS230 has the diff, though I'm not sure its the same as that in the Cupra.  I drove the RS230 earlier today...its brilliant but it didn't feel massively different to the TFSI RS I had back in 2009 (albeit I did only test-drove it for about half and hour).  I was in quite heavy traffic so I couldn't really test the diff and the car's full potential.  I'm really sold on the adaptive chassis, extra power, dynamic steering of the Leon which I figure makes the car quite a lot different to the RS230.

No new cupras anywhere to not have to wait at least 19 weeks for a new Cupra. Only reason I'm considering the seat is the haldex diff being missing off of the VRS 220 I've ordered. My MINI had a proper LSD and I miss it's effect...

They are coming through a bit quicker now (around 12 weeks) if you order black pack or multi spoke wheels. Standard wheels cause the delay.

They are coming through a bit quicker now (around 12 weeks) if you order black pack or multi spoke wheels. Standard wheels cause the delay.

Need a car for mid October so still not ideal. Do feel bad that my Skoda dealer have offered a car to cover me but I'm still looking. If the people I've contacted come back with the right numbers I'll go for a test drive and go from there.

It's just a shame the interior on the Skoda is soooo much better.

Need a car for mid October so still not ideal. Do feel bad that my Skoda dealer have offered a car to cover me but I'm still looking. If the people I've contacted come back with the right numbers I'll go for a test drive and go from there.

It's just a shame the interior on the Skoda is soooo much better.

Seat looks better when you are sitting in it than it does in the adverts but still not as good as skoda. If you find a seat with black leather that looks way better than the white and black.