Not sure if this is the correct forum but im looking. At Karoqs as a next purchase. After being used the performance of the Octavia VRS the Sportsline version comes to mind. Either the 2.0 litre or 1.5 litre one ?

Best drive them and see. They will do 75 mph which ever engine and keep up with modern traffic including vRS,s. They will pass traffic quick enough for safe passes in the NSL,s.

Be aware that many owners have had a serious problem with the 1.5 engine where it stalls for no apparent reason, it can lead to a dangerous situation. It is unpredictable so most worrying. Others with the same engine have not experienced any problems. Look at posts on this Forum or other VW based Forums to see the magnitude of the problem.

Be aware that 2.0 is only available with DSG in the 4x4 Sportline, which will take you over £40k & into "luxury" car tax.

I have the 2.0 TSI 4x4 DSG, how it compares to an Octavia VRS I can’t say as I’ve not driven the VRS. However I don’t think you will disappointed especially in Sport mode! To go back to the 1.5 TSI engine, yes it did have issues, yes they have improved, have the problems been completely solved - not entirely, and are much more noticeable with the manual gearbox, so the DSG is the better option. However the 1.5 TSI DSG is 2wd and prone to front wheel spin when pulling out of junctions. I don’t think the 1.5 TSI is available, in the UK at least, as a 4x4. In 10,000 miles in my 2.0 TSI I’ve not encountered front wheelspin when pulling away, even at damp junctions, where my 2.0 TDI DSG 2wd Touran would spin and traction control would cut in. The 1.5 TSI uses the dry clutch DQ 200 DSG, the 2.0 TSI uses the wet clutch DQ 381. The road holding and grip of the 2.0 TSI is excellent. The rear suspension on the 4x4 Karoqs is the VAG multilink setup ad used on the VW Touran, Passat and probably Octavia and Superb. The 2wd Karoqs use a torsion beam rear suspension.

Edited 20 December, 202520 Dec by thamestrader

I had a 2012 Octavia vRS CR DSG for 13 years and changed to a 2.0 Sportline in March of this year.

No regrets.

Octavia was better on fuel and handling.

For everything else the Karoq wins hands down. Saying that the Octavia was better on handling needs a bit of clarification - having lower and stiffer suspension there was less body roll. The Karoq has more roll but I've never felt unsafe in it. I don't have DCC so that might make a difference. In the Karoq I've never thought - I wish I was in my old Octavia for a bit more performance.

Ive had my diesel vrs now for 15 yrs and still drives well (spent a bit of money on it) but after being in friend's modern auto suv ive decided maybe time for a change ?

I have a Superb 2.0tdi fwd only 1200 miles, however I have not had any front wheels spin up in pulling off energetically either left right or straight ahead, most of this mileage has been gone in the wet as we’ve suffered with lots of rain in the S/W and N/Wales where about 750 miles has been done.

I still have the (not very good imho) factory fitted rubber fitted.

Any other usurers with comments about the factory fitted tyres would interest me, I expect `all weather tyres are on the horizon.

John

The Sportline version of the Karoq offers little, if any, improved performance than other model designations in the range. The Sportline designation is all about how the car looks. If you’re moving to a Karoq from a VRS then performance shouldn’t be a consideration. The Karoq though, is a good choice of SUV.

I recently bought a Karoq 2.0 Tsi Sportline Edition, and am extremely pleased with it in every way. Coming from an Audi S3 2024. I wanted primarily more seat comfort, more compliant and adjustable suspension, also something with good power. I can highly recommend the Karoq as an excellent fully speccd SUV with very good handling, quiet cabin, roomy, remarkably comfortable seats, high quality interior, visibly well made too.