Hi guys

Tried finding a "what do you think of them" thread but I couldn't find one. 

 

So I have a Superb Estate (190 bhp DSG) and I will have it 3 years so thinking of changing. The electric offering isn't good enough for the 24,000 kms I do a year so the only car which turns my head is the kodiaq

Here in Ireland its flooded with the 150bhp and only very basis 190bhp. 

For anyone who have that variants of engine do you feel that size of a car needs the bigger engine? 

 

What is the handling like in the Sportline 4*4 for anyone who has come from the Superb or even the Octavia VRS ( I owned 3).

 

MPG what are you getting real life?

Power wise how do you find the DSG box in this?

 

The vRS here is over 60k euro!!

 

Any other pointers would be really much appreciated. 

Hi, I've owned a Kodiaq 190 DSG Sportline for 12 months now and it's not without drawbacks.

 

Positives: Great car for longer journeys on A roads & motorways. Full of toys and flexible accommodation for up to 7 people. Canton hifi is best I've ever had in a car. Usual clever Skoda touches (eg. door edge protectors).

 

Negatives: 190 engine is louder than 150ps version. Economy only fair (around 35 mpg over 14k miles). Biggest failing for me is the engine/ DSG box combo - at low speeds (eg town work) it's awfully slow-witted meaning you don't have confidence to pull onto roundabouts or out from T-junctions when traffic is heavy. Once on the move (above 1700 rpm or around 20 mph) it's generally ok, but it does take the shine off the car as a whole. Thinking of getting the box re-mapped as a result. If I was buying again, I'd go for a Superb at far less cash (this one specced out at £42k). Reports say the DSG is one of the most advanced auto boxes there is but it's not a patch on the BMW 8-speed.

Hi aidangill:

 

I forgot to mention - the DSG limits the power the engine can produce / use. So having the 190 is not a massive advantage - maybe try both that and the 150?

10 hours ago, Kodiak-Red said:

Hi, I've owned a Kodiaq 190 DSG Sportline for 12 months now and it's not without drawbacks.

 

Positives: Great car for longer journeys on A roads & motorways. Full of toys and flexible accommodation for up to 7 people. Canton hifi is best I've ever had in a car. Usual clever Skoda touches (eg. door edge protectors).

 

Negatives: 190 engine is louder than 150ps version. Economy only fair (around 35 mpg over 14k miles). Biggest failing for me is the engine/ DSG box combo - at low speeds (eg town work) it's awfully slow-witted meaning you don't have confidence to pull onto roundabouts or out from T-junctions when traffic is heavy. Once on the move (above 1700 rpm or around 20 mph) it's generally ok, but it does take the shine off the car as a whole. Thinking of getting the box re-mapped as a result. If I was buying again, I'd go for a Superb at far less cash (this one specced out at £42k). Reports say the DSG is one of the most advanced auto boxes there is but it's not a patch on the BMW 8-speed.

 

your a legend thank you

I travel about 180km roundtrip to work 3 days per week on national roads which are windy enough, what I don't want is this swaying around the road, I found a big difference in handling from the VRs to the Superb estate I have.

I didn't realise the gearbox in the Kodiaq was different to the superb, and thats an identical complaint my mate in his new VW Tourag (Its the Kodiaq equivalent, not sure on name) he said its dead for the 1st two gears on the DSG.

 

MPG seems lower.

 

I'd definitely be getting a remap on mine, taking the 190 to close on 240 bhp 

I understand the comments about the Kodiaq not setting off quickly when entering roundabouts (my 1.4 TSi is the same), but I don’t think has anything to do with the gearbox. I think it’s the way the engine doesn’t quickly respond to the throttle input.

Edited 20 February, 20206 yr by DaveMiller

Why don’t you look at a BiTDI Passat Alltrack?

Good point about the Toe-rag in the first 2 gears. Check out the website of a company called Darkside Developments in Barnsley. They mention that the DSG limits torque in the first 2 gears....

 

As for the handling I think all big SUV’s are similar - they’re no sports cars but mine feels pretty safe and secure and doesn’t blow around in blustery conditions. 

Hi Aidan.

I made a similar move last July. Moved from a 150BHP Superb to a 150BHP Kodiaq with DSG box. I did test a 190 but could not justify the extra €5000 between the 150 and the 190. The 150 with DSG is FWD versus AWD with the 190 but I wasn't feeling €5000 extra performance and don't need AWD. Its obviously not as quick as the Superb as it's a much bigger car but I don't mind as you drive it differently. It's a brilliant comfy mile munched. I've had 6 on board with a roof box and didn't find it struggling. My commute is 30km each way and I'm averaging 40mpg and up to 45 on longer journeys. I've never really found the DSG a problem pulling out of junctions but I do normally disable the start/stop as soon as I get in. Initially wanted the sportline but went for a style model with some extras such as heated screen and ACC, towbar etc.

Our Kodiaq 190 TDi averages 40-45 mpg depending on temperature and loading. It’s mostly driven heavily laden. With a light load and higher ambient temps then it will hit low 50smpg. With a heavy foot it will struggle to hit 30 mpg. 
 

It doesn’t have the sharpest throttle response to the pedal, but that’s just mapping - you just need to push the pedal further. I test drove the 150 TDi and wouldn’t be happy with that one - everyone is different. 
 

I test drove a Superb Estate and didn’t like the way it drove compared to the Kodiaq - the Superb had a lot more road noise and seemed a lot floatier with the suspension. That may be specification specific though. 
 

I was sceptical about the benefits of 4x4 initially, but now wouldn’t want a 190 without it (I know it’s not an option). The lesser powered 150 might be fine as a FWD car. 

10 hours ago, DaveMiller said:

I understand the comments about the Kodiaq not setting off quickly when entering roundabouts (my 1.4 TSi is the same), but I don’t think has anything to do with the gearbox. I think it’s the way the engine doesn’t quickly respond to the throttle input.

 

My 1.4 TSI manual will set off like a stabbed rat if required, so I'd be inclined to think that the issue with lag is down to the set-up needed to mate the engine to the DSG gearbox.

26 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

 

My 1.4 TSI manual will set off like a stabbed rat if required, so I'd be inclined to think that the issue with lag is down to the set-up needed to mate the engine to the DSG gearbox.

Yes, that's possible.  I'm fairly sure the effect is nothing to do with the DSG box, as it's definitely in first, and the clutch is definitely engaged, as I set off.  There's no discernible problem as I set off normally, but if I see a gap in a busy roundabout, and go to take it, the car moves forward more gently than I want it to, then suddenly - as if it finally notices that I've planted my foot farther down than usual - it changes its mind and lurches forward faster than I want to.  It makes me look like a learner!

The issue seems to be present here too...

 

 

Edited 20 February, 20206 yr by silver1011

I’ve loved my 190 for almost 3 years and 30,000 miles so much that it is being replaced with another one.

 

Previous car was a 170 DSG Superb estate for almost 6 years. Loved it too.

 

Kodiaq has consumed 38mpg on average from day 1 (brim to brim measuring). Can do better and can do worse of course.
 

On average it has been used every other day (retired) and I mainly avoid short journeys.

 

I never use ECO mode - it can be dangerously lethargic.

 

I always switch off Stop / Start.

 

I do flip between Drive and Sport and Manual on every journey to suit the road, the junction and however I’m feeling. It never falters. I can take off and stop without any jerking.  My Cruise button is the most used button (Normal not active) on every journey.

 

Hot seat, hot screen, hot wheel. What more do you need? 😀
 

I’ve never driven any other version of the Kodiaq so have no opinion on smaller engines in a Bear.

Edited 21 February, 20206 yr by BoxerBoy