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.

 

 

You've posted this twice. The other thread has replies.

I can't remember who asked but whoever wanted to know the difference between The suspension settings on the Seat Cupra.

Well I know the ST has slightly revised suspension than the 3 and 5 door Cupras, but my take on it is that there is a massive difference between comfort and Cupra mode.

At one point we were coming up to a round about on a 70mph Dual carriageway so it had those bumps in the road to warn you. We went over it in different modes and even changed it from Cupra to Comfort mid way through them.

Put it this way, this was reason 1 (of 3) that I put a deposit on it today and I'm cancelling my Skoda :(

Reason 2 was I really wanted the VRS 230 and couldn't get it on the finance deal which made sense.

Reason 3 is the 276bhp/280PS

Edited 1 October, 201510 yr by MINIMadDamo

Reason 3.....quite a few on seatcupra forums have been rolling road measured at 300bhp. It has same ecu map as golf r and Audi s3 apparently

Edited 1 October, 201510 yr by Brettreading

Reason 3.....quite a few on seatcupra forums have been rolling road measured at 300bhp. It has same ecu map as golf r and Audi s3 apparently

Could this mean that the 280ps Superb might have a little more power than advertised?

 

As for the original point, the Octavia is a bigger car, then the Leon & that might be important to some drivers.

 

FWIW, SWMBO won't have a Leon, mostly 'cos the interior is too drab, & I can see her point.

 

Happy shopping!

 

DC

Could this mean that the 280ps Superb might have a little more power than advertised?

 

As for the original point, the Octavia is a bigger car, then the Leon & that might be important to some drivers.

 

FWIW, SWMBO won't have a Leon, mostly 'cos the interior is too drab, & I can see her point.

 

Happy shopping!

 

DC

The seats are far from drab on cupra with the grey/white flashes .....but still not as nice as octavia. And the LEDs in door panels are cool...does octavia have these?

Dash looks better in real life that it does in catalogue

The seats are far from drab on cupra with the grey/white flashes .....but still not as nice as octavia. And the LEDs in door panels are cool...does octavia have these?

Dash looks better in real life that it does in catalogue

It's the dashboard that she hates, but I can't even get  her to visit a SEAT showroom.

 

Back to the drawing board!

 

DC 

It's the dashboard that she hates, but I can't even get  her to visit a SEAT showroom.

 

Back to the drawing board!

 

DC

I didn't like it until I saw it and now I think it looks good.

Yeah agree that the Skoda interior and standard seats look great.

Also agree that the Seat interior looks better in th flesh, but not quite up to matching the Skoda.

Pity no one ever seems to spec the Cupra bucket seats on the ST :(

The car I've got seems to have every option picked apart from the Sub8 pack and Buckets, looking forward to the sound system but I'll miss the 8" Columbus Sat Nav

I had a test drive today in a 280 ST as well. Absolutely stunning car! It had the bucket seats and they were very good. I will be going to my dealer in week 45 when the 290 will be on sale! Having driven both the RS230 and Cupra280 this week, the Cupra is in my opinion in a totally different league. Eco mode makes it incredibly comfortable and Cupra mode brings all the fun.

I had a test drive today in a 280 ST as well. Absolutely stunning car! It had the bucket seats and they were very good. I will be going to my dealer in week 45 when the 290 will be on sale! Having driven both the RS230 and Cupra280 this week, the Cupra is in my opinion in a totally different league. Eco mode makes it incredibly comfortable and Cupra mode brings all the fun.

Did the dealer tell you week 45 for the 290? Lots of doubt and rumours when it will be released in UK on the Seat Cupra forums.

Did the dealer tell you week 45 for the 290? Lots of doubt and rumours when it will be released in UK on the Seat Cupra forums.

Yes, I was told week 45 but I'm buying abroad in Slovakia, it may differ in the UK. I was also told a price list may be available upto 2weeks in advance. One dealer said it will be more expensive than a 280, by €200 and another said by €1500 so it seems the dealers have varied information as well