Evening Folks, so the day is nigh!! Tomorrow, after weeks of deliberations, ramblings on here, and endless research, I finally get to test-drive 2 Karoqs tomorrow!!

Will be putting a Sportline 1.5 tsi and SE L through their paces, can't wait!!

They've thrown a bit of a spanner in the works though, seems the Sportline is a 4x4, so is the ride potentially better over our ****ty British roads lol??

Never considered 4x4 tbh, and appreciate running costs will be more, but who knows, I might be sorely tempted lol!?

Anyone got any pros or cons plse for 4x4 models? Is the 190hp 4x4 a ridiculous proposition??

Hope I sleep well tonight...

Andrew 

The Sportline 1.5TSI isn't 4x4, it's FWD. For 4x4 it would be a 2.0TSI (190PS) or 2.0TDI (150PS). I went for the 2.0TSI for several reasons:

Pros:

- Better rear suspension,

- 225/45 tyres instead of 225/40 (so more supple ride),

- Avoiding the chances of running into 1.5SI engine problems (my daughter has a 1.5TSI Passat which suffers from lean mixture syndrome even though it's younger than the really problematic cars.

- Performance!

- Very smooth engine/gearbox combination so far (100 miles!)

 

Cons:

- Boot is shallower (but with spacesaver spare instead of full-size ends up much the same size),

- Higher fuel consumption (affordable I thought for my lower annual mileage over the last few years) especially if I don't use the performance too much, 

- Probably higher insurance costs, but still very reasonable for me.

 

 Chris

 

Hi Chris, well that's what I thought too but I've triple checked it now and one of my test-drives tomorrow is definitely in the following:-

SKODA KAROQ SUV 1.5 TSI (150PS) 4X4 SPORTLINE ACT DSG

FINISHED IN VELVET RED WITH CLOTH INTERIOR

 

£23,000

Get a finance quote

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18 minutes ago, CJJE said:

The Sportline 1.5TSI isn't 4x4, it's FWD. For 4x4 it would be a 2.0TSI (190PS) or 2.0TDI (150PS). I went for the 2.0TSI for several reasons:

Pros:

- Better rear suspension,

- 225/45 tyres instead of 225/40 (so more supple ride),

- Avoiding the chances of running into 1.5SI engine problems (my daughter has a 1.5TSI Passat which suffers from lean mixture syndrome even though it's younger than the really problematic cars.

- Performance!

- Very smooth engine/gearbox combination so far (100 miles!)

 

Cons:

- Boot is shallower (but with spacesaver spare instead of full-size ends up much the same size),

- Higher fuel consumption (affordable I thought for my lower annual mileage over the last few years) especially if I don't use the performance too much, 

- Probably higher insurance costs, but still very reasonable for me.

 

 Chris

 

Sorry to ask but when you say better rear suspension, do you mean it handles bad road surfaces better than say an SE L trim, that now comes with 19" wheels btw lol!?

Tax after year 1 is ok at 150, and as you say, insurance probably not as high as my current Golf R lol!!

As buying new from stock, I'm clearly limited in what I can have, and just wondering if the extra c.£4k is worth it over the SE L with some nice options!?

Decisions Decisions...

7 minutes ago, gigolo456 said:

Sorry to ask but when you say better rear suspension, do you mean it handles bad road surfaces better than say an SE L trim, that now comes with 19" wheels btw lol!?

Tax after year 1 is ok at 150, and as you say, insurance probably not as high as my current Golf R lol!!

As buying new from stock, I'm clearly limited in what I can have, and just wondering if the extra c.£4k is worth it over the SE L with some nice options!?

Decisions Decisions...

 

The 4x4 models have fully independent multi link rear suspension whereas the FWD ones have trailing arms and a torsion beam.  Having driven both, I didn't notice a huge difference in the ride quality.  However, I wouldn't consider anything other than a 4x4 model.  I've seen countless posts from owners of FWD models complaining of wheelspin when taking off raplidly.  I think that most FWD tall cars are plain daft.  Weight transfer when taking off sharply will inevitably result in wheelspin.  

Also, if you're coming from a Golf R, I'd have thought you would be disappointed in the performance.  Maybe best to buy a 190 and have it remapped.  

5 minutes ago, Schtum said:

 

The 4x4 models have fully independent multi link rear suspension whereas the FWD ones have trailing arms and a torsion beam.  Having driven both, I didn't notice a huge difference in the ride quality.  However, I wouldn't consider anything other than a 4x4 model.  I've seen countless posts from owners of FWD models complaining of wheelspin when taking off raplidly.  I think that most FWD tall cars are plain daft.  Weight transfer when taking off sharply will inevitably result in wheelspin.  

Also, if you're coming from a Golf R, I'd have thought you would be disappointed in the performance.  Maybe best to buy a 190 and have it remapped.  

Lol, oh I'll miss the R alright but at the grand old age of let's say late 40s, I'm wanting to be a bit more practical now! My wife has recently changed from a Focus Estate to a Fiesta Hybrid 125, so need something with large boot as we both play golf, and often travel places to play..

I'll huff and puff no matter what we choose im sure, and Ateca Cupra to one side, I know I'll miss my current car!! It's costing too much to maintain now, and know it will cost me about a grand in the coming 6 months in servicing, tyres and brakes, provably more actually, so taking the hit and p/x, and been offered £17.5k for an early 16 reg, so not too bad..

I'll remain neutral till after test drives tomorrow though lol..

11 hours ago, CJJE said:

The Sportline 1.5TSI isn't 4x4, it's FWD. For 4x4 it would be a 2.0TSI (190PS) or 2.0TDI (150PS). I went for the 2.0TSI for several reasons:

Pros:

- Better rear suspension,

- 225/45 tyres instead of 225/40 (so more supple ride),

- Avoiding the chances of running into 1.5SI engine problems (my daughter has a 1.5TSI Passat which suffers from lean mixture syndrome even though it's younger than the really problematic cars.

- Performance!

- Very smooth engine/gearbox combination so far (100 miles!)

 

Cons:

- Boot is shallower (but with spacesaver spare instead of full-size ends up much the same size),

- Higher fuel consumption (affordable I thought for my lower annual mileage over the last few years) especially if I don't use the performance too much, 

- Probably higher insurance costs, but still very reasonable for me.

 

 Chris

 

 

Skoda made a small quantity of 1.5 4x4s at the end of 2019 into 2020.

I know as I was going to order one before they were discontinued 

Edited 5 December, 20205 yr by Tim1631

39 minutes ago, Tim1631 said:

 

Skoda made a small quantity of 1.5 4x4s at the end of 2019 into 2020.

I know as I was going to order one before they were discontinued 

OK, I was going on the cars listed in recent price lists, and assuming the OP was buying new. But if it's been sitting idle in a store somewhere, the battery could be knackered unless its been charged regularly. Or is it a demo car?

 

The 4x4 is another reason I fancied the 2.0TSI as I have a steep drive with a right angle bend in it, which I have to treat regularly in winter... but I'm also told my old Golf SV with CrossClimate+ tyres would probably out-perform the Karoq 4x4 on its Bridgestone Dueler summer tyres!

 

Chris

5 minutes ago, CJJE said:

 

 

The 4x4 is another reason I fancied the 2.0TSI as I have a steep drive with a right angle bend in it, which I have to treat regularly in winter... but I'm also told my old Golf SV with CrossClimate+ tyres would probably out-perform the Karoq 4x4 on its Bridgestone Dueler summer tyres!

 

Chris

Exactly having 4x4 on summer tyres in winter just means you can spin 4 wheels instead of 2

Also a 4x4 will still slip and slide braking on snow/ ice same as any other car on summer tyres.

So your golf on Crossclimate tyres would easily out perform your Karoq on snow/ice unless you fit all season or winter tyres of course.

2 hours ago, Tim1631 said:

 

Skoda made a small quantity of 1.5 4x4s at the end of 2019 into 2020.

I know as I was going to order one before they were discontinued 

I ordered the standard Karoq 1,5 TSI 4x4 DSG within the 2-3 weeks period when it was on the Slovenian list in February 2019.
Had no worries about possible kangarooing as I noticed the considerably higher emissions compared to 2x4. I was right.
Very happy with the car.

 

Edited 5 December, 20205 yr by agedbriar

3 hours ago, Kenny R said:

Exactly having 4x4 on summer tyres in winter just means you can spin 4 wheels instead of 2

Also a 4x4 will still slip and slide braking on snow/ ice same as any other car on summer tyres.

So your golf on Crossclimate tyres would easily out perform your Karoq on snow/ice unless you fit all season or winter tyres of course.

 

Yeah... so at my present driving distances, that's either wait for 3+ years to change onto Continental AllSeasonContacts, or get rid of my existing tyres. Why can't manufacturers at least give you the option of buying All Seasons - without having to buy an Audi or Jaguar to go with them!

Vauxhall give the option of All Weather tyres and some other stuff for £400 on a Combo Life.

A Fiat Panda Cross came with good tyres for offroad and winter as standard, Isuzu give the option of BF Goodrich tyres.

1 hour ago, CJJE said:

 

Yeah... so at my present driving distances, that's either wait for 3+ years to change onto Continental AllSeasonContacts, or get rid of my existing tyres. Why can't manufacturers at least give you the option of buying All Seasons - without having to buy an Audi or Jaguar to go with them!

Or do what my ILs have done, stuck them in the shed with naff all miles on them waiting on me selling them.  Shame I’m almost 600 miles away.  

I've already got a set of 15 inch winter wheels and tyres there from my Golfs... but as the tyres are getting on for 9 years old, they're time-expired despite only being half-worn! (I swapped to all-seasons a couple of years ago to spare my back when changing over every 6 months

 

Chris 

31 minutes ago, CJJE said:

I've already got a set of 15 inch winter wheels and tyres there from my Golfs... but as the tyres are getting on for 9 years old, they're time-expired despite only being half-worn! (I swapped to all-seasons a couple of years ago to spare my back when changing over every 6 months

 

Chris 

 

15" wheels won't fit over the 312mm discs on the front of your car, anyway.  It's usually possible to squeeze 16" ones over brakes of that size with the occasional balance weight / brake caliper interface. 

I have 16” wheels with winter tyres on now. There is very little clearance to the brakes but do fit fine

Anyway, lol, thought I'd update you All!

Test-drove the SE L trim first (18" wheels), extremely impressed with ride and cabin noise, or lack thereof lol!! Tested both on my usual patch,  and SE L on uneven roads was fantastic!!

Sportline (150bh) 4x4 (19" wheels) had superb seats, lighting pack, hmmm, but more cabin noise, and ride 'not quite as comfortable!!

Now I appreciate that if I choose SE L trim,  new from stock, it will have 19" wheels, bit will the ride be affected that much? Probably won't be quite as smooth, but here's hoping...

Pleasantly surprised by both but SE L ticked more boxes IMHO..

I see that on the new UK price list/brochure (3rd Dec) the SE L will now come with 18" Braga alloys.  Doesn't help you, I realise, if you are going to buy from stock. 

1 minute ago, Portman said:

I see that on the new UK price list/brochure (3rd Dec) the SE L will now come with 18" Braga alloys.  Doesn't help you, I realise, if you are going to buy from stock. 

I know, the configurator has been confusing of late!!! Why change to 19s, and then back to 18s for the SE L!? I hope they haven't suddenly realised that the 19s give a **** ride, otherwise I'm buggered!? :(

5 minutes ago, gigolo456 said:

I know, the configurator has been confusing of late!!! Why change to 19s, and then back to 18s for the SE L!? I hope they haven't suddenly realised that the 19s give a **** ride, otherwise I'm buggered!? :(

Who knows what is in Skoda's mind.  It might even be down to supply chain issues with 19" wheels having been more readily available for a while than 18" ones.  Mere speculation  as to the real reason, but it does seem strange that Skoda should change to 19" in the first place then change back.

11 minutes ago, Portman said:

Who knows what is in Skoda's mind.  It might even be down to supply chain issues with 19" wheels having been more readily available for a while than 18" ones.  Mere speculation  as to the real reason, but it does seem strange that Skoda should change to 19" in the first place then change back.

Time will tell, so I've now chosen Black Magic SE L new from stock, built early November apparently, so not even sure if in UK yet!?

Its got my desired heated windscreen and virtual cockpit, DSG, Family Pack, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Front ISOFIX (surplus to requirements lol)...

Here's hoping it matches what I experienced earlier!?

Hoping a local wizard (post lockdown) can add High Beam Assist manually at some point lol...!?