Living with the Kodiaq

[pablomax]

Hello all,

I am currently looking to replace my hated 2013 Superb 4x4 L&K. I suppose there is nothing technically wrong with the car other than it is slow, sits way too low, (low enough that it drags on speed humps when full of stuff) and is so, so, so boring to drive. Not to mention, it under-steers like a pig.

 

I have narrowed it down to a short list. At the top are the Kodiaq and Mitsubishi L200.

In the USA, I normally drove vehicles like Jeep Wranglers or a Hilux. (Tacoma over there) And yes, I know the 4 door wrangler is big and ridiculous, but driving that car, you can only smile. It doesn't matter how stressful the day was, jump in the Wrangler, Top off, radio up and my mood was improved. 

Now, I would love to buy the new Jeep Wrangler over here in Germany, but they are stupidly expensive. There is no way on God's green earth that I would spend 50K€ for what is essentially a terrible vehicle. And as much as I love them, I can admit they are crap.

 

So my question to you guys... Do you love your Kodiaq? Does it put a smile on your face to drive it, or is it merely adequate? Does the seating position allow you to see over the "normal" cars in traffic?

Does it feel slow?

When you park in the city and need to drive up the curb to park on the road side, do you need to slow down to 0.0005 MPH like you do in a normal car, or can you just drive up like in a proper SUV? Assuming you don't have silly 20 inch wheels.

 

I have driven the new L200 and it is slow, but it doesn't really "feel" slow, if that makes sense. My last Wrangler (2014) was slow, but it didn't feel it. If you were going 100 MPH in that thing you felt that you were about to do a time warp.

[Gizmo]

1 hour ago, pablomax said:

Hello all,

I am currently looking to replace my hated 2013 Superb 4x4 L&K. I suppose there is nothing technically wrong with the car other than it is slow, sits way too low, (low enough that it drags on speed humps when full of stuff) and is so, so, so boring to drive. Not to mention, it under-steers like a pig.

 

What engine do you have?

Has the car been lowered?

 

1 hour ago, pablomax said:

So my question to you guys... Do you love your Kodiaq? Does it put a smile on your face to drive it, or is it merely adequate? Does the seating position allow you to see over the "normal" cars in traffic?

 

The one we test drove for 24HRS (190 TDi) was fine, not slow but I wouldn’t call it quick either.

You do sit quite high up as in most SUV type vehicles so forward vision is good.

 

1 hour ago, pablomax said:

When you park in the city and need to drive up the curb to park on the road side, do you need to slow down to 0.0005 MPH like you do in a normal car, or can you just drive up like in a proper SUV? Assuming you don't have silly 20 inch wheels.

 

This is probably why your car understeers, driving up a normal kerb will knock out the tracking... leading too understeer and abnormal tyre wear.

 

The Superb's do not ‘feel’ quick but look at the speedo and you will see that they are not particularly slow (depending on the engine you have fitted), they are designed to cover loads of miles effortlessly hence why they do not feel quick.

 

 

 

[Yogi-Bear]

So let me get this straight... you want a car that is big and fast, and allows you to drive up kerbs and other things without slowing down or causing any harm to the car itself?

 

How about a monster truck? Pretty sure that would meet all of your criteria, including putting a smile on your face as you drive it.

 

[olderman1]

The Kodiaq is a refined, effortless to drive, family car - much like your Superb in fact, except it sits higher from the ground.

I would say in answer to what you wrote and reading between the lines somewhat, if you don't like your Superb then steer clear of the Kodiaq.

Maybe get a Hummer 

[jasoncmiles]

Love my Kodiaq however if you love a truck and want quick why not consider the Amarok. I seriously considered the V6. Quicker than a Kodiaq in any engine guise. Feels and drives like and SUV. It is a monster but rear seats are not overly accommodating.

[J.R.]

Maybe stop parking on the kerbs and give the pedestrians a chance.

 

You can still have the smile on your face when you look over the "normal" people in "normal" cars.

[J.R.]

1 minute ago, J.R. said:

Maybe stop parking on the kerbs and give the pedestrians a chance. Nobody needs to park on the kerb, its a (selfish) choice that some people make but not a need.

 

You can still have the smile on your face when you look over the "normal" people in "normal" cars.

 

[pablomax]

1 hour ago, Gizmo said:

 

What engine do you have?

Has the car been lowered?

 > The 2.0 TDI. Don't recall how my PS, but it is the highest one.
> Lowered? Please don't tell me that people would spend money to make it even lower. No.. it has not been lowered. They just ride low. Not like the scout which is a bit higher than the normal kombi.

 

The one we test drove for 24HRS (190 TDi) was fine, not slow but I wouldn’t call it quick either.

You do sit quite high up as in most SUV type vehicles so forward vision is good.

 

 

This is probably why your car understeers, driving up a normal kerb will knock out the tracking... leading too understeer and abnormal tyre wear.

> Ummm. Disagree there. It understeers because it's stupidly heavy and front wheel drive biased. Driving up a curb at road speeds will knock your wheels out, certainly. Driving up very slowly will not. She tracks dead straight and I am one of those people who monitor tyre wear, despite hating that car. 

 

The Superb's do not ‘feel’ quick but look at the speedo and you will see that they are not particularly slow (depending on the engine you have fitted), they are designed to cover loads of miles effortlessly hence why they do not feel quick.

> Top speed is fine. Acceleration is sloooooooooow after the "fix".  It gets there, just without any urgency.

> I would also point out that the DSG box is truly horrible. Reverse parking on a steep incline? Nightmare. I thought mine was just broken, but my friends does the same.

 

 

 

[pablomax]

31 minutes ago, olderman1 said:

The Kodiaq is a refined, effortless to drive, family car - much like your Superb in fact, except it sits higher from the ground.

I would say in answer to what you wrote and reading between the lines somewhat, if you don't like your Superb then steer clear of the Kodiaq.

Maybe get a Hummer 

I normally don't care too much about my "image" and what other people would think, but even I would duck down low to not be seen driving a Hummer.

[pablomax]

9 minutes ago, J.R. said:

 

No disrespect to you, but you don't know what you are talking about.

Here in Germany, in many parts of the cities you need to park on the side walks. They are large enough for a car and there is often a painted part for bikes and walkers.

It is not legal to fully block a side walk so that bikes and pedestrians cannot go. In such areas, you can be sure there shall be a no parking sign and swift parking officer to issue your ticket or tow you away.

[pablomax]

19 minutes ago, jasoncmiles said:

Love my Kodiaq however if you love a truck and want quick why not consider the Amarok. I seriously considered the V6. Quicker than a Kodiaq in any engine guise. Feels and drives like and SUV. It is a monster but rear seats are not overly accommodating.

 

I would love to have an Amarok, but the lack of rear passenger airbags is a deal killer. VW does not care about rear passenger safety on that vehicle.

It is also very wide and longer even than the ranger I think. The L200 is much smaller and easier to handle in a car park or city. Also, it has modern safety systems, which is a buying consideration.

 

[J.R.]

4 minutes ago, pablomax said:

No disrespect to you, but you don't know what you are talking about.

Here in Germany, in many parts of the cities you need to park on the side walks. They are large enough for a car and there is often a painted part for bikes and walkers.

It is not legal to fully block a side walk so that bikes and pedestrians cannot go. In such areas, you can be sure there shall be a no parking sign and swift parking officer to issue your ticket or tow you away.

 

You are right, I dont, I have only visited Germany once.

 

Here in France some villages have lines on the narrower roads with  wider pavements allowing parking with 2 wheels on the kerb, elsewhere it is not allowed but its most peoples default selfish parking mode.

[pablomax]

41 minutes ago, WiggosSideburns said:

So let me get this straight... you want a car that is big and fast, and allows you to drive up kerbs and other things without slowing down or causing any harm to the car itself?

 

How about a monster truck? Pretty sure that would meet all of your criteria, including putting a smile on your face as you drive it.

 

 

While I appreciate your snark, it is not really helpful and clearly disingenuous.

I believe you know exactly my meaning when I refer to parking a typically passenger car off the side of the road. You must take a lot of car to go up the curb so as not to damage anything on the car.

This is not always so fun when you are on a busy road and cars are wizzing by you. The typical German driver is actually rather aggressive. My wife used to have a BMW X5 as a company car. It had smaller wheels, but tall tyers. You must slow down of course when pulling off up the curb, but the taller tyres allowed you to easily pop right up. The car acted as if nothing was there.

 

[CWARD]

Unless you have use for a pickup I would go for the Kodiaq. I have a Mitsubishi Shogun so understand what you mean about slow but seemingly fast too. The interiors are basic built for hard wearing and fuel economy poor. The Kodaiq, if you don’t need the load capacity, will be a much better day to day car especially when you don’t need to find somewhere big enough to park it. 

[pablomax]

2 minutes ago, J.R. said:

 

Here in France some villages have lines on the narrower roads with  wider pavements allowing parking with 2 wheels on the kerb, elsewhere it is not allowed but its most peoples default selfish parking mode.

 

This is forbidden in Germany. In Dusseldorf you will still find many people who will double park or even park inside a tree planting area, but normally never blocking the sidewalk. Otherwise, they can be sure of a ticket or more likely that someone will damage their car with keys or the bicycle.

[pablomax]

2 minutes ago, CWARD said:

Unless you have use for a pickup I would go for the Kodiaq. I have a Mitsubishi Shogun so understand what you mean about slow but seemingly fast too. The interiors are basic built for hard wearing and fuel economy poor. The Kodaiq, if you don’t need the load capacity, will be a much better day to day car especially when you don’t need to find somewhere big enough to park it. 

Sadly, they will not sell the new Shogun here. I really like that car. Luckily my commute is only 15km. I have not a "huge" need of a pickup, if I am honest. We do have a few rental properties which from time to time require the rental of a van for replacements of various systems. Or at my home, our garden is rather large with a lot of bushes. So, a few times a year a rent a van to take a few trips to the local garden garbage center.

With the Kodiaq, I would just use a trailer I reckon.

 

At the end of the day, I don't want something that is boring. If you are going to spend 40K on something, it should bring you some joy. Not just a thing from getting from point a to b.

That's why I ask if people love their cars.

[Yogi-Bear]

7 minutes ago, pablomax said:

The typical German driver is actually rather aggressive

 

We know. We’ve all seen how Vettel and Schumacher drive...

 

In all seriousness, the only Kodiaq that you will probably find suitable in terms of speed is the vRS. But you’ll have to take care with the wheels on the kerbs. I don’t think any Kodiaq will meet all of your requirements without some form of modification.

[Yogi-Bear]

3 minutes ago, pablomax said:

At the end of the day, I don't want something that is boring. If you are going to spend 40K on something, it should bring you some joy. Not just a thing from getting from point a to b.

That's why I ask if people love their cars.

 

I love my Kodiaq. It does everything I want it to do. But it would not satisfy you based on what you’ve said and so I don’t think you would love it.

 

Like most things, a car choice is down to personal preference and what is important to you.

[pablomax]

3 minutes ago, WiggosSideburns said:

 

We know. We’ve all seen how Vettel and Schumacher drive...

 

In all seriousness, the only Kodiaq that you will probably find suitable in terms of speed is the vRS. But you’ll have to take care with the wheels on the kerbs. I don’t think any Kodiaq will meet all of your requirements without some form of modification.

 

I don't really care about top speed. I am not a fast a driver. Normally never more than 160 KPH.

My wrangler had a very low top speed, but the skinny pedal would still push you back in your seat. My Superb has about as much "G's" on you as a piece of A4 paper.

[pablomax]

3 minutes ago, WiggosSideburns said:

 

 But it would not satisfy you based on what you’ve said and so I don’t think you would love it.

 

 

You are probably right. But, with today's ever increasing nanny state and tighter and tighter emissions regulations, the choices are getting fewer and fewer.

Basically anything will be a compromise in one or the other area. Like most things, the question is.. is it one I can live with. Or one my wife will make me live with

[pablomax]

One other question.

Is it still possible to enable / disable features using VCDS as was possible in the last gen of VAG cars? That is one consideration to stick in the VAG group as I have that fancy cable to software to change various settings.

[Gizmo]

Yes I have coded numerous Kodiaq’s. 

 

You say say your car has had the emissions fix.... that will certainly not be helping matters! 

[Ootohere]

There is no shortage of VW Group get out of my way i am important models.  VW, Audi, SEAT, Porsche, Bentley & now Skoda.

VW did a 240ps Bi-Turbo before Skoda were allowed the engine for the vRS Kodiaq and the VW car has not 20" rims as standard fitment.

 

There is this 'out of my way' model available,  with stuff the EV thing engine, 'we are VW Group'. 

 Use Disabled Parking bays or Child Friendly ones to have enough space.

 

 

[silver1011]

I have a MkII Superb and a Kodiaq.

 

The Superb isn't without criticism, I'm certainly no Skoda fan boy, but have had 5 of them over the last 10 years, the current Superb being one of the best. Your criticism of the Superb is in contrast to my experience, although mine is a manual, 140PS vs. 170PS and rides on smaller wheels than the L&K.

 

I've never experienced understeer and do push on from time to time, the car has never grounded either. I had four mates with luggage in it recently over some pretty big speed humps near home without issue. It does feel like a heavy car though.

 

Maybe the extra 30PS, bigger wheels and DSG box are having a bigger influence?

 

I've owned it for nearly 7 years and covered 155,000 miles.

 

The Kodiaq is well liked in our household but at 6 months old and only 5,000 miles it is way too early to know for sure yet.

 

My concern would be that if you hate the Superb then the Kodiaq isn't going to be a car you bond with.

[pablomax]

1 hour ago, Offski said:

There is no shortage of VW Group get out of my way i am important models.  VW, Audi, SEAT, Porsche, Bentley & now Skoda.

VW did a 240ps Bi-Turbo before Skoda were allowed the engine for the vRS Kodiaq and the VW car has not 20" rims as standard fitment.

 

There is this 'out of my way' model available,  with stuff the EV thing engine, 'we are VW Group'. 

 Use Disabled Parking bays or Child Friendly ones to have enough space.

 

 

 I actually quite like the Tuareg, but my goodness is that think expensive. The starting price is 60k....for a VW.

I am not looking for a sports car. Just something with decent acceleration and where the wheels dont pop off driving up a city curb. Not too unreasonable IMO.
Even the outback meets that requirement. It just happens to be too ugly.