Kodiaq TSI or TDI?

ScreenNameB8A4848190 replied on 07/01/2023 23:35

Posted on 07/01/2023 23:35

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 with a similiar weight van? 

Thanks in advance for your help! 

Joe

Randomcamper replied on 08/01/2023 07:55

Posted on 08/01/2023 07:55

The way the difference in price between petrol and diesel is heading I would be tempted towards the petrol despite the slightly lower torque figure..........

And from bitter personal experience when I recently sold my diesel Karoq, secondhand diesel SUV's don't hold their value very well.....cry

And that seems to be the general advice in the motoring press at the moment   ?

For what it's worth, AFAIK the 190 TSI is a slightly detuned version of the 245 TSI motor the VW group use. I've had the 245 version in both an Octavia VRS and a Golf Gti. It is a truly superb engine.....

SteveL replied on 08/01/2023 08:17

Posted on 08/01/2023 08:17

Don’t know about current petrol engines, but didn’t it used to be the case that the high torque came in at very much higher revs than on a diesel? Clearly if you are trying to pull away on a hill, high torque at low revs is going to be a distinct advantage. 

eribaMotters replied on 08/01/2023 09:51

Posted on 08/01/2023 09:51

I would say go with the petrol as the torque is available over a far wider rev range, obviously starting lower down. I made the change from a 2.0L Diesel Yeti to a 1.5L Petrol  Audi and find it a far better engine to tow wiith.

One thought, you are aware of the £3K "donation" off list price being offered if you take out the pcp deal. You can pay the balance off on this the next day if you wish. 

 

Colin

Paul Richards replied on 10/01/2023 14:14

Posted on 10/01/2023 14:14

I also have a Kodiaq Edition 190 TDI DSG which is 4 years old on 1.3.23. I had considered changing it for either a similar Kodiaq (200 TDI) or the 2.0 VRS which has 370nm of torque. I think I would have opted for the petrol version bearing in mind the difference in the cost of fuel. I think the 190 petrol version would also be a satisfactory option bearing in mind in years past I’ve towed satisfactorily with much less powerful petrol cars. 
In the end I’ve decided to stick with my 190 TDI and have upgraded my wife’s car instead to something a little bigger and more comfortable than her little runabout. We now intend to use her car much more and keep the Kodiaq for towing. 

PJMEG replied on 10/01/2023 15:28

Posted on 08/01/2023 09:51 by eribaMotters

I would say go with the petrol as the torque is available over a far wider rev range, obviously starting lower down. I made the change from a 2.0L Diesel Yeti to a 1.5L Petrol  Audi and find it a far better engine to tow wiith.

One thought, you are aware of the £3K "donation" off list price being offered if you take out the pcp deal. You can pay the balance off on this the next day if you wish. 

 

Colin

Posted on 10/01/2023 15:28

I agree with the above post, I recently swapped from a VW Tiguan 2.0 tdi 180 bhp tow car to a Ford Kuga 1.5 petrol 150 bhp. The torque is slightly less on the Kuga but seems available sooner and across the rev range.

I have found that the Kuga tows our van just aswell the only thing I have found is that I may have to gear down a little more on steeper hills but apart from that the mpg difference is not really noticeable whilst towing.

Not sure how often you go away but the other big advantage I have found is that it seems more economical when driving solo.

 

 

RogerP1956 replied on 10/01/2023 17:03

Posted on 10/01/2023 17:03

Using the official figures, as I have no real time experience of Skoda cars:-

At the moment the cost per mile is about the same for Petrol & Diesel.

I have never towed with a petrol car but the lower purchase price certainly makes it attractive and I am sure that towing with an automatic petrol at around 200ps and 380Nm won't be a problem.

The only fly in my new petrol powered Kodiaq ointment would be the range. By my reckoning the range on a full tank of a diesel (solo) would be about 100 miles more than the petrol and I hate stopping for fuel! This difference would be much less when towing but could still be significant.

PJMEG replied on 10/01/2023 17:45

Posted on 10/01/2023 17:45

The only fly in my new petrol powered Kodiaq ointment would be the range. By my reckoning the range on a full tank of a diesel (solo) would be about 100 miles more than the petrol and I hate stopping for fuel! This difference would be much less when towing but could still be significant.

I did think this of my new Kuga but when I did some checking the fuel tank on the Tiguan was 70 litres and the Kuga is 60 litres not sure if this might be a factor with the Kodiaq, just a thought.

 

 

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