The age-old question - Diesel vs. Petrol.

 

Based on the following assumptions, which would you recommend and why ?

 

• The two models cost the same to buy
• I don't pay for either diesel or petrol - so don't care about MPG
• I will be using it for a daily 10+10 km commute, a weekly 100+100 km drive and 1.000+ km a few times a year
• I will be towing up to 1.500 kg - but not more than about once a month

 

I've read a few threads on here about the subject, but they seem to focus a lot on MPG and the economy of the cars. I am looking for the most comfortable driving experience.

If cost is not an issue then test drive them both and pick the one you like most. Personal preference is personal. 

As above really. 

For your shorter commute you'll probably find the petrol model to be the better choice, sounds like you don't do a massive amount of km's. 

Are you looking at 2wd versions only or 4x4? The manual tdi 150 4x4 is not homologated to tow. 

I have a 2.0tsi 190 and love it, effortlessly swift but not too hard on the go-go juice.

Depending what you expect from the car you may find the 1.5 tsi and the tdi 150 to be a little bit flat. The 190's are noticeably stronger. 

Are there many hills on your typical towing routes? 

But honestly try if you can to get a good test drive in all variants that you are interested in. 

Edited 2 October, 20196 yr by Gmac983

I'd have the 2.0 TDI by personal preference as diesels suit my driving style and i love the torque, but as Mr Trilby says, ultimately it would be best to try both and see what suits you best.

1 hour ago, Gmac983 said:

The manual tdi 150 4x4 is not homologated to tow.

 

That's true but only for the 7 seater version.  You are OK with the manual tdi 150 4x4 5 seater.

I found the 2.0 TDI 190PS to be my favourite out of the range just cause of the sheer mid range torque. Never have to ring it out. And I do similar driving distance as you, bar towing (tow once a year)

Both are reasonable options and your declared travel regime should avoid any problems with dpf issues.

 

I think the deciding factor is the towing and while the 1.5tsi would certainly cope I tend to favour the diesel for the extra torque and the much stronger 'wet' dsg box compared to the 1.5tsi and its less robust 'dry' dsg box, especially if you have reasonable hills to negotiate. 

 

The diesel surely would be AWD, and can you even get the 1.5tsi Kodiaq with AWD in the UK? I think most (all?) current 1.4/1.5 are fwd only on all VAG group vehicles in Australia.

What about possible high devaluation of the diesel model compared to petrol? 

Since consumption is not a problem then I would include the suggested 2.0tsi as well.

 

BUT as said by others a test drive is almost mandatory to determine each types characteristics. The petrol versions are definitely  much smoother and quieter and that could be the kicker for you.

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 October, 20196 yr by Gerrycan

@LIIT  Welcome.  Were are you?

 

@Gerrycan

I doubt the OP is in the UK since they say km.

 

 

The 2.0 TSI DSG 4x4 would be the simply clever choice over a 1.5 TSI for a car not doing many km per year, 

the fuel cost not being much more if any over a 1.5 TSI by reported poor economy from them.

Edited 3 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

Thank you for the input all - it's much appreciated.

Being in Denmark, it's not always easy to find both models at the same dealer, to give them an A/B test. My local dealer only had 1 Kodiaq - and it was the RS model.

 

• The Kodiaq is only available with DSG, so manual gear won't be a problem.
• Regarding hills, Denmark is very flat - so I won't be climbing hills more than once or twice each year.
• I am looking a the 2wd, not the 4x4.
• It's basically between "Kodiaq Style 7-seat, 1,5 TSI ACT 7 step DSG" and "Kodiaq Style 7-seat,  2,0 TDI AdBlue 7 step DSG" - both 150hp

I guess the best option will be to call around and see if I can find a dealer with both models available for a test-drive.

 

 

 

 

14 hours ago, TheRobinK said:

That's true but only for the 7 seater version.  You are OK with the manual tdi 150 4x4 5 seater.

You only get the 5 seat in base SE trim in the UK. Not really a main stream choice here. 

Edited 3 October, 20196 yr by Gmac983

3 hours ago, LIIT said:

Thank you for the input all - it's much appreciated.

Being in Denmark, it's not always easy to find both models at the same dealer, to give them an A/B test. My local dealer only had 1 Kodiaq - and it was the RS model.

 

• The Kodiaq is only available with DSG, so manual gear won't be a problem.
• Regarding hills, Denmark is very flat - so I won't be climbing hills more than once or twice each year.
• I am looking a the 2wd, not the 4x4.
• It's basically between "Kodiaq Style 7-seat, 1,5 TSI ACT 7 step DSG" and "Kodiaq Style 7-seat,  2,0 TDI AdBlue 7 step DSG" - both 150hp

I guess the best option will be to call around and see if I can find a dealer with both models available for a test-drive.

 

 

 

 

Does your dealer have a karoq demonstrator (or indeed any other skoda model with engine(s) you are considering), you could get a flavor of what the respective engines are like in those vehicles instead. Or you could be cheeky and go to a Seat dealer and have ago in an Ateca or Tarraco. Same goes for VW with tiguan and allspace. I'm not trying to deflect you from a Kodiaq by any means but as I say you could have a cheeky go in another VAG vehicle with the engine(s) you are interested in. Plus it may give you pricing ammunition to go back to your skoda dealer with. 😉

Edited 3 October, 20196 yr by Gmac983

22 minutes ago, Gmac983 said:

You only get the 5 seat in base SE trim in the UK

 

Ahh - I'm a bit surprised by Skoda UK doing that given the size of the UK market. Ours (Ireland) is small compared to the UK but we get all Kodiaq models in 5 or 7 seat (essentially, if you want 7 seats you just tick the 7 seat option box and get charged another €1,000). Perhaps a lot more people use them for work here - I know they want the 5 seater as every bit of extra space counts to them.

17 hours ago, LIIT said:

The age-old question - Diesel vs. Petrol.

 

Based on the following assumptions, which would you recommend and why ?

 

• The two models cost the same to buy

 

This surprises me, the diesel engines are more expensive here in the UK, are they really evenly priced in Denmark?

 

Roughly £2,000 difference for us...

 

17 hours ago, LIIT said:

The two models cost the same to buy

 

Yes that surprised me to. Usually you need to be doing a fair scoop of miles (kms) to justify the extra diesel outlay. 

4 hours ago, LIIT said:

It's basically between "Kodiaq Style 7-seat, 1,5 TSI ACT 7 step DSG" and "Kodiaq Style 7-seat,  2,0 TDI AdBlue 7 step DSG" - both 150hp

Bit of a hard decision, it'd be something you'd have to see for yourself. I haven't driven a pure FWD diesel ever to be honest, so the torque might be a bit much for just the front paws..

 

@silver1011 £2200 difference, perhaps leasing price is different then?

 

Edited 3 October, 20196 yr by ZacDaMan72

54 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

 

This surprises me, the diesel engines are more expensive here in the UK, are they really evenly priced in Denmark?

 

Roughly £2,000 difference for us...

 

 

The price difference here is DKK 411.270 (£48.770) vs. DKK 429.270 (£50.905)  - and that's before I start adding extra equipment. So it's about the £2.000 you mention - but not much compared to the total being about £60.000. When doing a 36 month company leasing, it will be peanuts pr. month.

 

For those interested - the RS 7 seat starts at DKK 667.000 (£79.100).

1 hour ago, Gmac983 said:

Does your dealer have a karoq demonstrator (or indeed any other skoda model with engine(s) you are considering), you could get a flavor of what the respective engines are like in those vehicles instead. Or you could be cheeky and go to a Seat dealer and have ago in an Ateca or Tarraco. Same goes for VW with tiguan and allspace. I'm not trying to deflect you from a Kodiaq by any means but as I say you could have a cheeky go in another VAG vehicle with the engine(s) you are interested in. Plus it may give you pricing ammunition to go back to your skoda dealer with. 😉

Great suggestions - thanks!

54 minutes ago, LIIT said:

 

The price difference here is DKK 411.270 (£48.770) vs. DKK 429.270 (£50.905)  - and that's before I start adding extra equipment. So it's about the £2.000 you mention - but not much compared to the total being about £60.000. When doing a 36 month company leasing, it will be peanuts pr. month.

 

For those interested - the RS 7 seat starts at DKK 667.000 (£79.100).

Wow, those are some prices! I've got my 2.0 TSI L&K with A LOT of additional equipment (remote heating, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, side steps, Columbus infotainment, etc.) for 44,600 € (around 39,500 ₤) in Serbia. Denmark is so expensive!

6 hours ago, toleander said:

Wow, those are some prices! I've got my 2.0 TSI L&K with A LOT of additional equipment (remote heating, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, side steps, Columbus infotainment, etc.) for 44,600 € (around 39,500 ₤) in Serbia. Denmark is so expensive!

 

€44,800/£37,000 RRP for my RS, with literally every option (including new options like Ignite rims, acoustic glass, direct TPMS) bar heated windscreen

Edited 3 October, 20196 yr by ZacDaMan72

15 hours ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

 

€44,800/£37,000 RRP for my RS, with literally every option (including new options like Ignite rims, acoustic glass, direct TPMS) bar heated windscreen

Well, there's a 85% car tax on the first DKK 193.400 (€25.900) and then 150% tax on the rest. And then of course the standard VAT of 25% on top. The result is really expensive cars in Denmark 😕

And you can not buy outside and import?  I assume they would still gouge you when you registered car?

 

 

29 minutes ago, SimonAudi said:

And you can not buy outside and import?  I assume they would still gouge you when you registered car?

 

 

Indeed - the 85%,150% and 25% is added as soon as you import.

On 02/10/2019 at 21:33, bigiainw said:

I'd have the 2.0 TDI by personal preference as diesels suit my driving style and i love the torque, but as Mr Trilby says, ultimately it would be best to try both and see what suits you best.

I would go for the tdi personally. Have driven albeit a Seat Leon 1.4tsi dsg and a Leon 2.0tdi (184) dsg - both 6 speed - and the tsi was no slouch, but the mid-range torque of the tdi, especially when joining a dual carriageway more suits my manner of driving. I don't like having to floor the pedal to get up to speed in a hurry, and tdi oomph of the tdi made getting out of trouble much easier. Having so many people round where I live who seem to join a 70mph dual carriageway at 30-40 mph or sometimes from a standing start, I would rather have that extra oomph especially if there is a limited space in the traffic to go for without having an HGV doing 60 approaching one's derriere at a rapid rate of knots!

10 hours ago, Buster said:

I would go for the tdi personally. Have driven albeit a Seat Leon 1.4tsi dsg and a Leon 2.0tdi (184) dsg - both 6 speed - and the tsi was no slouch, but the mid-range torque of the tdi, especially when joining a dual carriageway more suits my manner of driving. I don't like having to floor the pedal to get up to speed in a hurry, and tdi oomph of the tdi made getting out of trouble much easier. Having so many people round where I live who seem to join a 70mph dual carriageway at 30-40 mph or sometimes from a standing start, I would rather have that extra oomph especially if there is a limited space in the traffic to go for without having an HGV doing 60 approaching one's derriere at a rapid rate of knots!

Thanks for the input. I will try and get both out on the freeway to test out the mid-range acceleration 👍

The diesels have higher torque, so as mentioned above make for more leisurely mid range acceleration without down-changing.

 

However, the petrol's are sooo smooth, silky smooth, and almost silent too (at least my 1.4 TSI Kodiaq is) that I can live with a little more forward planning.

 

I am constantly surprised how sprightly our small petrol engined Kodiaq is, and my daily car is a diesel Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

 

The only way I know the stop/start has kicked in is if I notice the rev counter needle dropping to zero