Hi All,

I'd like some real world experiences please, as I'm changing jobs and have been told to start looking at what I'd like as a company car (first world problem!).

Having had an awful experience with a 2021 Arteon PHEV with those horrible capacitive/Haptic Touch buttons everywhere, and constant software issues with the assist systems and infotainment system (like many others), I swore I'd never have a new VAG car again.

Cut to now, and the criteria for the car is EV, reasonably sized SUV, and within a certain budget...which the Enyaq fits in to perfectly...I can get a 85X Sportline within the budget, and available from stock.

From the many reviews I've watched and read Skoda have decided to put more real buttons back into the facelift, along with improving the infotainment software, and I can't find any bad reviews.

Does anyone have real experience of the facelift car, and maybe moving from the original?

Other options I'm going to look at are the Kia EV5, Nissan Ariya, Renault Scenic (although I think this may be too small), and while it's not available with the lease company yet, the Smart 5.

I could also get a BMW i5 M Sport Touring (it's crazy how these lease prices work, when that's about £30k more to buy than the other cars I'm looking at!), but my new employer says it won't be suitable for the stuff I have to carry!

Thanks in advance,

Nick

There’s a lot of fuss made over the reduction in physical buttons in these cars. Professional journalists who are loaned a car for a few hours describe their frustration with a lack of switches and buttons. They’re correct is saying that the complex deep menus on the touch screen aren’t easy to use whilst driving and trying to focus on the road. What they seem to have missed is the voice control, “Hey Laura, turn on the heated rear window”, “Hey Laura, what’s the oil level?” And so on. It’s much easier than they make out.

I can’t comment on the specifics of the facelifted Enyaq other than to confirm that my observations are the same as yours: lots and lots of happy owners. Good luck,

@CubbyQ Do you have to carry taller loads? Because there is supposedly just 10 litres more load capacity in the Skoda over the BMW with the rear seat folded, but it does depend who the numbers come from.

Thanks @TheAardvark , appreciate your comments!

Thanks also @Evolution13 , it's the perfect question, and height isn't so important; I've got the dimensions and weights of the biggest boxes I'll be carrying and they'll go into the i5 no problem, and it may even be better due to the extra length.

The only problem I have now is that my local BMW dealer are trying to locate a demonstrator for me, and are going to call back today as I think they're getting one from BMW UK...I looked on the lease company last night, and all of sudden the great deal on the one model is showing up as 'Hurry, only a few left.' with only 2 colour options available, so may miss out.

Anyway, I booked a couple of test drives last week.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Enyaq - got an hour with it so took it down the motorway and back via country lanes and villages, so it got a proper mix.

It drove really well, the driver aids weren't intrusive, VAG have obviously listened to customers, as there are direct shortcut buttons on the touchscreen to disable lane departure and speed limit warnings.

Seats were comfy, it was almost silent with the double-glazed windows, handled well, was composed, pulled like a train(!) and seemed very well put together. The steering wheel being covered in physical buttons was great.

On to the Kia, which I was hoping would be the one, especially when I saw it and got in it - it looks brilliant in my opinion, better than the Enyaq, however...I couldn't get a comfortable driving position, and had to get out and stretch my legs halfway through the test drive, and by the time I returned it, I had a dead right calf, foot and numb-bum.

Driving-wise (I did the exact same route as with the Enyaq, BTW), it was fidgety, squirmy, constantly correcting itself with the lane assist, constantly bonging at me to look forwards whenever I looked in my mirrors/was watching out for traffic, crashy over bumps didn't have the pull of the Enyaq, but had loads of torque-steer when I did put my foot down. Such a disappointment!

Unless you adjust the tyre pressures of Demonstrators i would not take the car as being representative. Often the tyres are over inflated even at the PDI, or not adjusted from being 'In transit', some might even do it to have a PHEV / BEV appear more efficient. Youtube reviewers/ Vloggers, Motoring Journalists are bad for never checking or adjusting Tyre Pressures, as to Sale People, unlikely they do.

I've got a facelift 85x Sportline.

Drives incredibly well, smooth, fast 'enough' obviously super responsive. The seats are a masterpiece IMHO, super comfortable, supportive, heaters work well. Heated steering wheel is the 'silly option' which is turns out I love. Range is good, sub 5c it's okay, 10c it's good, looking forward to some warmer weather to see what it can do. Surprisingly agile for a 2t SUV. Canton system sounds great. Wireless Apple Play is quick to connect at works well. I think it looks great.

It's easier to list the things I don't like, this is really nit picking as I'm ADHD and I notice EVERYTHING, stuff most people wouldn't notice or care about:

The seat massager button is in an odd place, feels like an after-thought. It also takes a really long time to start working which makes me think I haven't quite pressed the button.

The Auto boot opening thing doesn't seem to work for ages even if I've going at it like Michael Flatley, but walk around the back of it to get to the drivers door and every single time without fail it'll open when I don't want it to. I'll turn the function off if I ever remember.

There's nowhere in the boot or filler door to store the ice scraper, major Skoda Faux Pas!

No Sunglass storage in the ceiling.

Infotainment is complex and illogical with two 'home' menus, one is for the car, the other seems to be for the infotainment, but some functions don't sit where I would put them.

Screen points slightly toward the passenger. Skoda dealer told me it was to encourage the passenger to do that so the driver can concentrate on driving, but I know it's because they didn't change it when the made the RHD ones.

Heads-up appears to be slightly skew, but it might be because the dash curves.

Meteor grey is super boring IMHO, everyone else seems to love it, but I don't. It's the only option I could get to keep the RRP below £50k for the tax break.

The rear of the vehicle is a generation behind the front in terms of looks.

They say the wireless charging mat is cooled, I'm not sure that's true, I believe there's just a vent to the normal HVAC output so in winter it's actually heated, but I can't be sure. Only one my phone complained it was too warm to charge wirelessly.

2 hours ago, Evolution13 said:

Unless you adjust the tyre pressures of Demonstrators i would not take the car as being representative. Often the tyres are over inflated even at the PDI, or not adjusted from being 'In transit', some might even do it to have a PHEV / BEV appear more efficient. Youtube reviewers/ Vloggers, Motoring Journalists are bad for never checking or adjusting Tyre Pressures, as to Sale People, unlikely they do.

I would normally agree, however the Enyaq had only been registered the day before, and I was the second person to test drive it, whereas the the EV5 was the sales manager's own car and just over 4k miles on it!

Either way, even if the EV5 didn't have the correct tyres pressures (which I guess they were, as it was the only driver assist system not bonging at me during the drive!), it was so uncomfortable I couldn't have had it!

Cheers

@CubbyQ Just registered the day before is even more reason to check the tyre pressures IMO. If you drive enough demonstrators or loaners and check you will know it is 'Simply clever'. Sales Managers own car. Really, KIA,s or the Dealers car, that will be sold as Ex Management. I have a Kia dealership 1 mile away, and used to get to borrow cars........ Re Ice Scrappers. I have never needed an Ice Scrapper or De-icer with a BEV. Just turn up the heating, pre heat or in the car. 2 Minutes max and de-iced. Even at -10*oC. I have never used and ice scrapper on a car over more than 5 decades of northern Scotland winters, and never would.

Edited 10 March10 Mar by Evolution13

1 hour ago, Pjay777 said:

I've got a facelift 85x Sportline. That's what I'm planning on getting if I go down this route, so good to know we're comparing apples with apples, thank you!

Drives incredibly well, smooth, fast 'enough' obviously super responsive. The seats are a masterpiece IMHO, super comfortable, supportive, heaters work well. Heated steering wheel is the 'silly option' which is turns out I love. Range is good, sub 5c it's okay, 10c it's good, looking forward to some warmer weather to see what it can do. Surprisingly agile for a 2t SUV. Canton system sounds great. Wireless Apple Play is quick to connect at works well. I think it looks great. All good to read; I had heated steering wheel on my Arteon and it was lovely in the winter.

It's easier to list the things I don't like, this is really nit picking as I'm ADHD and I notice EVERYTHING, stuff most people wouldn't notice or care about:

The seat massager button is in an odd place, feels like an after-thought. It also takes a really long time to start working which makes me think I haven't quite pressed the button. Similar with the Arteon, and never used it.

The Auto boot opening thing doesn't seem to work for ages even if I've going at it like Michael Flatley, but walk around the back of it to get to the drivers door and every single time without fail it'll open when I don't want it to. I'll turn the function off if I ever remember. Absolute rubbish in the Arteon too; the only time it worked reliably was when throwing a petrol station type pump hose under the car...very annoying and embarrassing! Good to know it can be disabled.

There's nowhere in the boot or filler door to store the ice scraper, major Skoda Faux Pas!

No Sunglass storage in the ceiling. I noticed the lack of sunglasses holder too! One of the best little thoughtful features in the Superb!

Infotainment is complex and illogical with two 'home' menus, one is for the car, the other seems to be for the infotainment, but some functions don't sit where I would put them. Not surprised, and used to VAG's systems from the past few years, so know how to navigate around this.

Screen points slightly toward the passenger. Skoda dealer told me it was to encourage the passenger to do that so the driver can concentrate on driving, but I know it's because they didn't change it when the made the RHD ones. Hah! Never noticed that!

Heads-up appears to be slightly skew, but it might be because the dash curves. The 'Edition' I tested didn't have this, but the EV5 did, and I noticed it was off-centre until I force myself into a certain driving position.

Meteor grey is super boring IMHO, everyone else seems to love it, but I don't. It's the only option I could get to keep the RRP below £50k for the tax break. Agreed, far too many grey cars on the road these days. I'll go for Race Blue as that's on the option list.

The rear of the vehicle is a generation behind the front in terms of looks. Agreed, but hey the front does look better than it did

They say the wireless charging mat is cooled, I'm not sure that's true, I believe there's just a vent to the normal HVAC output so in winter it's actually heated, but I can't be sure. Only one my phone complained it was too warm to charge wirelessly. I'll just leave it plugged in with a USB-C cable; far more reliable than a wireless connection.

Thanks @Pjay777 , that really was helpful!

6 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@CubbyQ Just registered the day before is even more reason to check the tyre pressures IMO. If you drive enough demonstrators or loaners and check you will know it is 'Simply clever'. Sales Managers own car. Really, KIA,s or the Dealers car, that will be sold as Ex Management. I have a Kia dealership 1 mile away, and used to get to borrow cars........ Re Ice Scrappers. I have never needed an Ice Scrapper or De-icer with a BEV. Just turn up the heating, pre heat or in the car. 2 Minutes max and de-iced. Even at -10*oC. I have never used and ice scrapper on a car over more than 5 decades of northern Scotland winters, and never would.

Sorry @Evolution13 not sure if I was clear - the one-day-old Enyaq drove brilliantly and felt right, so assume the tyre pressures were correct, as it didn't feel like there was anything wrong with it.

It was the 4k miles Kia EV5 that drove really badly and was fidgety and crashy, so maybe the sales manager never checks his tyres, but as I say there were no warning lights on. Whatever, it was in a different league to the Enyaq...a few below.

And believe me, I wanted to love the EV5 after my awful experience with the Arteon, so I'm not being a Skoda fanboy here!

Cheers!

Nick

Simples. Check car tyre pressures then you know. I do not trust people i do not know. I carry a tyre pressure gauge or check the screen on cars that tell you pressures or heat. Reason being, too many unprofessional professionals at dealerships. IME EV5,s drive lovely. PS, trusting that Transport Blocks are removed is just another issue. Cars taken off a Transporter and rubbish PDI,s are very common.

Edited 10 March10 Mar by Evolution13

@Pjay777 , would you mind posting a photo of your boot floor please?

I need a flat loading area, and believe the sportline ha

S this with the variable boot floor.

The two cars they had in the dealership didn’t have this, and I forgot to look in the boot of the car I tested.

Many thanks,

Nick

No worries, you'll have to excuse the mess, I'm a mountain biker and everything I own is covered in mud all winter.

Edited 12 March12 Mar by Pjay777

2 hours ago, Pjay777 said:

No worries, you'll have to excuse the mess, I'm a mountain biker and everything I own is covered in mud all winter.

That is perfect buddy, exactly what I was hoping to see, thank you 🙏

Nothing to apologise for…ours are the same this time of year, what with a lot of outdoor activities too!

Off shortly to test drive the i5, so decisions, decisions…

Edited 12 March12 Mar by CubbyQ

The boot was way too small in the enyaq for me unfortunately and i was amazed the rear ended was the old shape compared to the front .

The VW ID 7 tourer is much bigger and better in every way imho.

41 minutes ago, MP74 said:

The boot was way too small in the enyaq for me unfortunately and i was amazed the rear ended was the old shape compared to the front .

The VW ID 7 tourer is much bigger and better in every way imho.

Cheers @MP74 ,

I was happy with the size of the Enyaq, and it would've been big enough for my requirements...however a crazy lease deal on the i5 Touring made the decision for me. Like the ID 7, the I5 is a massive lump and I've been able to get loads in it!

Edited 5 May5 May by CubbyQ

1 hour ago, CubbyQ said:

Cheers @MP74 ,

I was happy with the size of the Enyaq, and it would've been big enough for my requirements...however a crazy lease deal on the i5 Touring made the decision for me. Like the ID 7, the I5 is a massive lump and I've been able to get loads in it!

Can't say I blame you, love my Enyaq, but the i5 deals look great.

I'm thinking about an i350 when my Enyaq goes back, 550 mile range, 400kW fast charging, 645Nm. Technology is moving so fast in the EV market. Fast charge 250 miles in 10 mins etc.

3 hours ago, Pjay777 said:

Can't say I blame you, love my Enyaq, but the i5 deals look great.

I'm thinking about an i350 when my Enyaq goes back, 550 mile range, 400kW fast charging, 645Nm. Technology is moving so fast in the EV market. Fast charge 250 miles in 10 mins etc.

Thanks, and had the i5 not been an option I'm sure I'd have been delighted with the Enyaq.

I've covered just over 3k miles in the first month of ownership and it's been a joy so far - lovely to drive, quiet, smooth and efficient. No software issues, and no squeaks or rattles. Everything just works.

Bit of a low point this morning though, kerbing an alloy in a stupidly tight car park entrance (it is a very big car), but thankfully we took out the dinks and wheel damage insurance, which leads me on to...that it does seem to attract aggressive behaviour from other drivers; not sure if it's because it's a brand new swish looking car, or whether it's electric...I've found a small dent on the bonnet, where it looks like someone's thrown something/hit it (there are scratch marks running across it, so not something flying up whilst driving, and it's right on one of the creases), and I came back to it in a car park a couple of weeks ago and it looked like someone had spat something on the back window...

Friends of ours have two very modest EVs and have removed the green striped number plates as they both noticed aggression towards them too.

Going back to the positives, I've averaged 3.5mi/kWh so far, and have been getting around 300 miles range, which is more than enough for the travel I do, and it has made me actually stop for lunch, rest breaks, etc. to do top-ups.

I've been really impressed with the charging infrastructure, and have found more charging points than I've needed. The speed at which it charges on fast charging is funny!

The next generation of BMWs that you're looking at are in another league with that new battery platform - I did look at an iX3, but there were no lease deals to be had on them.

The other one I looked at, but wasn't available at the time, was the Smart #5 which also has 400kW and is big - the only negatives I've seen are that it's quite 'thirsty', but might be worth a look.

Have fun researching; as you say, the technology is moving so quickly it's exciting to see what's coming!

Cheers,

Nick

Edited 5 May5 May by CubbyQ

I've got a 2024 Enyaq, pre facelift. The only difference between mine and the facelift is the front end and the change from piano black inside to matt and chrome trim to matte trim. Software, buttons etc are all unchanged on the facelift.

I've done loads of videos on the enyaq at www.youtubre.com/@enyaq_gorm