Hi all,

I currently have a 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Edition 2.0 190 diesel 4x4.

It's been a great car (mostly) but will soon be up for replacement.

The biggest gripe for me with that car is the auto gearbox response.

It seems to gave a big delay sometimes between the accelerator being pressed and the engine/gearbox response. Almost like the engine bogs down. Then all of a sudden it unleashes more than needed.

Occasionally I've found this dangerous, if wanting to overtake, or pull away at a busy roundabout. I've been dumped into traffic several times. It's not a lack of power, it's a slow response from the power train.

Are the new Superb DSG gearboxes better in this respect? I'd probably go petrol or hybrid.

I also had a DSG mechatronics failure on my Kodiaq.

This is the biggest reason I might look at other brands...but nothing quite matches my needs like the Skodas.

Edited 22 May, 20251 yr by richmorris

Just go to the dealer and drive a demo car.

How somebody could objectively review the response in relation to your particular needs and feeling?

All VAG cars since WLTP has more or less lagged throttle pedal response and DSG software focused on low emissions and lowest fuel range possible. For some its ok to daily drive it in D, some need S mode and others doesn't touch DSG or tune the gearbox software in external workshops.

As far as a TDI a TSI or TSI iV (PHEV) & the DSG it really is a case of trying each. Or more than one of each.

It will depend on exactly what you are looking at.

For me the 1.5TSi with DQ200 DSG is far more laggy and snatchy away from the line than a 2.0TSi with a DQ381 DSG.

The PHEV has a DQ400E and is smooth to pull away as it can use the electric motor.

A diesel? yep probably the most laggy but can't see the point nowdays unless doing mega miles and keeping it a long time.

Thanks fo the feedback. Absolutely I inteed to do a test drive...but I didn't really notice the effect on the test drive of the Kodiaq, which may well have been a different spec to the one I bought. (I cannot remember 7 years ago)

I just wondered if people who noticed the issue on earlier cars, thought that it still existed, or was resolved.

1 hour ago, JackP said:

Just go to the dealer and drive a demo car.

How somebody could objectively review the response in relation to your particular needs and feeling?

All VAG cars since WLTP has more or less lagged throttle pedal response and DSG software focused on low emissions and lowest fuel range possible. For some its ok to daily drive it in D, some need S mode and others doesn't touch DSG or tune the gearbox software in external workshops.

I will definitely test drive.

I only wondered, if other people noticed the same issue with the Kodiaq (or other DSG), and had observed any change in the behaviour, or no its exactly the same...people who have done 10,000s miles in the car will have a much better understanding than a 20 minute test drive...

I tend to use "sport" setting when I am driving in situtaions that might need it - sometimes I forget! My previous car was a slightly less sophisticated gearbox, and behaved much more predictably.

I have a PHEV and also tried the Diesel ones. The diesel ones are having annoying and laggy gearbox compare to the PHEV. Especially in stop&go situation at junction, the phev just works, at diesel you have calculate with lagging response.