Hi folks,

 

First post here so thought I'd start with a Hello!

 

I've currently got a Kodiaq Edition 2.0 TDI 190 4x4 which is coming up for 4 years old, it's been a great car and has been really good for towing our touring caravan which has a MIRO of 1360kg and MTPLM of 1575kg.

 

I've been looking at new Kodiaq and a local dealer has suggested that I don't do enough mileage to warrant a diesel (around 8-10k per annum) and has suggested getting a petrol version. I've always been of the thought that diesels have more torque so are better for towing. FYI... I probably tow once a month on average through.

 

They've offered me a reasonable deal on a Kodiaq L&K 2.0 TSI 190 PS DSG 4x4 (I was orinally looking at a Kodiaq SE L Executive 2.0 TDI 200 PS DSG 4x4 but you know what dealers are like trying to get you to the next price point!). The torque difference is 320 Nm (on the TSI) to 400 Nm (on the TDI), I think my current one is 380 Nm from having a quick google.

 

I guess my question is what do people think? Do you think I'd notice much of a difference? Would I regret not having a diesel? Has anyone got experience of towing with the 2.0 TSI 190?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Joe

@silver1011 tows a big van with a 1.4 TSi  so I doubt you'd have much issue with a 2.0TSi..

I guess it depends on your expectations, I imagine the 190 TDI pulls very well with a load on the back

 

I think@silver1011 Tows a good size caravan with the 1.4?? 150 and IIRC is perfectly happy with its performance

42 minutes ago, Joey1 said:

what do people think?

I've towed with a number of "normal cars", and you want 2 things in the tug:-

1. Tug mass
2. Torque at and around towing revs. You're better placed to know which engine does that better in a Kodiaq than I am.

I've only ever towed with my Kodiaq so maybe not the best person to compare diesel versus petrol, but as the guys have suggested, my little 150PS 1.4 TSI 4x4 manual with a miserly 250Nm of torque copes really well. It pulls our Bailey Jive (Pursuit) with an MTPLM of just under 1,400kg.

 

There was one occasion on a long motorway incline with a strong headwind where I had to drop from 6th to 5th.

 

Here it is with four passengers, a full boot and full roof box...

 

 

I can't remember the exact calculations I made, but if I remember correctly I wasn't too far off the 85% car to trailer weight ratio recommendation...

 

 

I would image with the 2.0 TSI and the benefit of DSG you will be absolutely fine.

 

 

 

Edited 12 January, 20233 yr by silver1011

Haha @silver1011! Thanks for your post - It's good to know you have no problem with yours! Nice outfit btw! 😀

A dealer will always try to sell you what he’s got. Not what you want/need.

 

Always go in hard and tell them what you want after making up your own mind.

 

I don’t tow these days, but reckon you can never have enough power/torque for a comfortable towing journey.

 

I’m moving from 190 diesel to 190 petrol this year as I’m not a high mileage driver.  Gonna be interesting running worse mpg vs. lower fuel cost.

 

I’d be happy towing a wee caravan with 190 horses in my Kodiaq - petrol or diesel. But nothing less.

The 190TSI should be fine pulling the van but you will see a difference in performance and need to adjust the driving style, the torque is less and you’ll need to keep it in the power band to get the best from it so you might find yourself using the paddle shifters more often.

 

I’d a 1.4TSI Karoq as a loan car a few months back and it was lively enough, but the difference in torque was clearly noticeable, on hills in particular, and whilst the 2.0TSI would be much better, I’d suspect the lack of “grunt” would still make it harder work than the 2.0 diesel.

 

The biggest difference will be in economy, my 190 diesel averages 25-27 towing, I wonder if the 190 petrol would even hit double figures 😉

 

I’m waiting for a 200hp Tdi L&K which was ordered in November ( nothing confirmed yet - but estimated delivery 30 weeks ) It will replace  my E320 cdi Mercedes estate which I’ve owned for 10 years. I currently pull a 1600 k caravan and launch and recover a 5m rib from a beach. ( not at the same time ! )  so as much torque as possible is the order of the day. I understand Ranger’s comments about fuel consumption difference between petrol and diesel, particularly when towing , but is it really worth worrying about ? 
At list prices, we pay forty plus grand for the car, stick another twenty plus of caravan on the back and then worry about consumption. If you towed for 2000 miles  ( at a rough figure of £7.50 per gallon ) the difference between 25mpg and 20 mpg would be £150  -  when you’ve the wrong side of sixty thousand pounds in your outfit - what’s another few gallons of whichever fuel you prefer ? 
For me, it’s more important to choose a model and spec that is going to meet your requirements for the fifty two weeks of the year than worry about another few quid at the pumps when towing.