Hello folks,

Other than the intro section this is my first post in here. I’m returning to the ŠKODA fold, previous owner of an Octy mk2. I’m looking to get a large comfy car for long journeys and carrying dogs. Budget around the £25k-£30k area. Torn between a Superb estate and a Kodiaq. Mrs ForkHandles needs to drive it too and is nervous of big cars for parking and manoeuvres, so visibility and sightlines are important. Write ups look good for both. Has to be automatic. 
Any thoughts from the collective? Advice would be gratefully received as this will be a big purchase for me and hopefully a long term car. Thanks! 🍻

Edited 14 August, 20241 yr by ForkHandles

Welcome.   What engine are you thinking.  Petrol or diesel to go with the DSG?   Does it have to be a bigger engine or could a 1.5tsi act petrol do?   Do you need to have the 4x4 or might it be better keeping it simple and possibly less cost in servicing?   Best go drive the different models.    PS maybe the Superb Estate for the Dogs.   Is an Octavia too small?

Edited 14 August, 20241 yr by Ootohere

We were similarly torn moving from a MK2 Octavia 4x4 but SWMBO felt the Superb was 'too big' so we ended up with a Kodiaq which whilst still big she has no issues with.  The ride and visibility out is very good on it and it's very stable and quiet but worse on fuel.  She didn't like the automatic as she didn't feel in control of it sooner went manual.

 

However, I could imagine a Kodiaq might not suit dogs getting in and out due to the higher loading lip.

Thanks for the replies. I’ve got a 1.5 180bhp petrol engine in my current car (Focus) and it’s always felt a bit gutless low down, I have to rev it to get it going, so I’d prefer a 2.0L. 
4x4 would be nice. I’m going to be caring for elderly parents in the near future so knowing I can get to them whatever the weather would be good to know.

Petrol v diesel, hmm, good question, not sure. Based on the above, 190/200bhp would be nice, but beyond that I need to read up.

I prefer a car over an SUV, so I'm gonna say Superb.  Having had a Mk1 when my parents were getting on, they loved the comfort, access, and class-leading rear legroom.  Agree with Skomaz about room and access for dogs.  I'd imagine the Superb is a better mile muncher than a Kodiaq.  My Superb was a 2.5V6 TDI, which I think was a lowly 163bhp, or thereabouts - never felt lacking in grunt, and wafted along effortlessly.

 

Gaz

@ForkHandles 4x4 / Haldex available with the right Superb / engine / DSG.

 

Be sure the Easy in out with a Kodiaq actually is for your elderly,s

It is dependent on that passengers ability to get in and out.

I have 1 leg, bad back & am not small and have always had 4x4,s and easy in and easy out  & also a small car for local / short runs.

Now i am low in a Mini & a BMW Estate and do not miss the higher seating or the climbing in or out.

(1 vizsla in the rear of the MINI or the 520 estate.)

We've have a size smaller combo of Octavia and Karoq.  

 

We also have elderly parents to look after and for those duties we always use the Karoq as parents struggle with the low seating position of a saloon/hatch/estate and find the SUV much easier.

 

 

1 hour ago, logiclee said:

We've have a size smaller combo of Octavia and Karoq.  

 

We also have elderly parents to look after and for those duties we always use the Karoq as parents struggle with the low seating position of a saloon/hatch/estate and find the SUV much easier.

 

 

Not a direct comparison, but I have an Octavia 3 hatch, my B-I-L has a Kia Sportage.  Getting in and out of mine, front seats or rear, I have no problem, but getting into the front of his Kia I always catch my head, and the rears, well the doors are so short compared with mine (not to mention the legroom) that I find it very difficult to get in, and getting out I always seem to ‘slide’ down.  I’m very much an OAP, a lot closer to 80 than 70, btw.

 

And the boot space is significantly less than mine.

 

So for me, it’s a no-brainer, the Estate every time. 

On 14/08/2024 at 07:47, ForkHandles said:

Hello folks,

Other than the intro section this is my first post in here. I’m returning to the ŠKODA fold, previous owner of an Octy mk2. I’m looking to get a large comfy car for long journeys and carrying dogs. Budget around the £25k-£30k area. Torn between a Superb estate and a Kodiaq. Mrs ForkHandles needs to drive it too and is nervous of big cars for parking and manoeuvres, so visibility and sightlines are important. Write ups look good for both. Has to be automatic. 
Any thoughts from the collective? Advice would be gratefully received as this will be a big purchase for me and hopefully a long term car. Thanks! 🍻

Have you considered an Octavia Scout as an alternative?

You'll get the 4x4 drive, it's a bit higher than a standard Octavia so will be easier for the elderly to get in and out of, and it's a very practical car.

But the Kodiaq would seem to me to be the better of the two on your shortlist, given the info provided.

The Superb might be a bit big for your wife, if she's nervous about driving big cars.

Thank you for all your replies, really useful 🤩. Ref another Octavia that’s a good question. I looked at them but I’m wary of all the stories of poor reliability for the mk4 version. If there’s one thing I really don’t need is frequent trips to the dealer to sort glitches. 

Having had both, I would happily have another Superb, not so the Kodicr** as we named it !