We're looking to buy an Octavia SE L Estate. We want a petrol engine. 2 are offered 1.4 150PS or 1.5 150PS. Both have the same power, torque, performance and fuel consumption, so why would I pay an extra £300 for the 1.5?

3 hours ago, Bowdie said:

We're looking to buy an Octavia SE L Estate. We want a petrol engine. 2 are offered 1.4 150PS or 1.5 150PS. Both have the same power, torque, performance and fuel consumption, so why would I pay an extra £300 for the 1.5?

 

You can't factory order a 1.4 anymore so unless the car is already ordered, you've no option but to cough up an extra £300

 

Money well spent? As you say both engines more or less the same. I think the general understanding is that the 1.5 is more emissions friendly (probably because it has cylinder deactivation) and is a slightly smoother running engine. (find that hard to believe as the 1.4 is super refined as far I'm concerned. But not having driven a 1.5, I'll accept what they say). On paper, it's supposed to be a little more economical.

 

I've read the 1.4 however has more low-down torque - i.e. you won't have to rev it as much to make similar progress. (That'd suggest the 1.5 won't be more economical in the real world, but who am I to disagree with the official consumption figures?). Skoda claims torque exactly the same. 1.4 is lighter that 1.5 which would also suggest it's the better choice.

Edited 24 March, 20188 yr by Guest

The figures and driving reports suggest there is little difference between them on-road.

I've got the 1.4tsi in my 3 yo Octavia and endorse Scot5's comment that it is a little ripper of an engine being  tractable, economical, smooth quiet and offers surprisingly spritely performance when required.

The 1.4tsi in the Octavia does not have Active Cylinder Deactivation, but the version in the Superb does.

The 1.5tsi is a further advance of the existing unit in response to current and future consumption and emission regulations.

Not only does it have cylinder deactivation (runs on two cylinders in low power demand situations) but it has a variable turbo fitted (2nd only to Porsche in a petrol engine). It also has some fancy lean running technology which all contribute to improved consumption claims. 

The only issue is like many other new tech engines they are getting very complicated and there is concern about long-term reliability. However most new owners are very happy with their units except for a revving issue in another thread that Skoda are issuing a software update to correct.

The 1.5tsi is not sold in Australia where I live partly because of our poor petrol quality (high sulphur content) which gives some idea of how cutting edge the tech is getting.

 

All things being equal and it was available here I would probably be very interested in buying one.

1.5 - More complex, untried, revving issue (possibly sorted now although I'm not convinced), less low down torque, heavier, slight on paper economy advantage may not translate into a real world advantage and a higher purchase price. I'd struggle to come up with much by the way of reasons to go for the 1.5 over the 1.4.

 

Quieter, more refined? 1.4 engine is already very quiet - struggle to hear it above general road noise, tyre noise, suspension creaks and bangs, petrol sloshing about in tank etc.  Sitting in traffic can often hear the engines of other cars more clearly than my own.

As previously said, factory order 1.4s appear to be no more.  When I ordered last year (took delivery in Jan) I pondered 1.4/1.5.  A’s said the 1.5 was £300 more.  However, it’s guaranteed future value at the end of the PCP was £1000 less!  This not only made the monthly payments more, it also rang alarm bells for me.  Ended up with the 1.4 DSG and no regrets.  My wife had a 1.5 Golf hire car the other day for a 700 mile round trip.  She said there was no discernible difference between the two.

Thank you all. Some interesting info to digest, although as highlighted it has been confirmed that the 1.4 is no longer available as a factory order. Still may go for a Scout which is diesel anyway. Going to talk to my dealer tomorrow.