Are Skodas as good as Audi or VW?

Arequipa

Hi! I am looking at getting an Octavia VRS 2.0 Tdi.
I know Skodas are made in the Czech Republic by the VW Group.

But are Skodas as good a car as equivalent Audi or VW cars in term of..
-build quality
-reliability
-refinement
-equipment/spec
-resale value
-look/styling

Say for example an Octavia Tdi vs a VW Jetta/Passat vs a Audi A3/A4?

From talking to various people they seem to say that Audi & VW have slightly better badge/snob value, but Skoda is far from the Eastern European mug it used to be..

Look forward to your views..

A

Supergurrier

Same parts bin better warranty different badge.

Foxhole Norman

Yup. Same engines, same interior parts, same chassis, different badge, better spec.

MuppetCheck

Based on what you asked in my experience:

-build quality - They are well screwed together yes. Material quality isn't as good as a VW or Audi though. The Mark 2 gets very rattly as the miles go up.
-reliability - much of a muchness. The higher JD power placement is directly related to the smugness of "having an Audi for less" as that's just a satisfaction survey. There will be obviously be model specific issues due to different bodies.
-refinement - The Mark 2 was noisy, the new model is alright although the A2, Golf and Leon are quieter if you ask me. Not a huge amount in it though.
-equipment/spec - Usually better yes.
-resale value - You'll have no hassle selling a diesel VRS
-look/styling - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

What generation are you looking at?

MuppetCheck

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

Yup. Same engines, same interior parts, same chassis, different badge, better spec.

You'll find they look the same but often are made from ever so slightly cheaper materials.

Arequipa

Yea, I saw a clip on Fifth Gear: and Tiff Nidell was testing an Octavia VRS vs a Golf Gti: the Octavia won the test; he said it was a great car but you could hear where they saved a few cents with less insulation from noise etc; but he said it was only barely noticeable....

I am looking at a 2009-2010 VRS diesel...is there a particularly good year or year/model to avoid?

Thank a mil!

MuppetCheck

Post-June 08 have the common rail diesel engine. Be sure it has and engine code beginning with CEGA. There are a few pre-facelift cars going around with the newer engine. Some even had the newer interior too. I'd say the later the better, as makers usually iron out issues as time goes on.

kirk buttercup

when you are buying them- you will be told yes
when you are selling them - no
In short you are buying AUDI's little sister , your selling there embarrassing cousin.

Lex Luthor

had a look around a Skoda Spaceback recently...wouldnt have one over a Seat Leon any day. Just felt cheap
I'm sure the rest of the car, mechanically is just as good but the plastics etc were not as good as the Leon and even further from the Golf, but so is the price aswell

Khomeini

Skoda means pity.

whomitconcerns

Khomeini wrote: »

Skoda means pity.

Thats in Polish though not czech (maybe in czech also?)

zarquon

Essentially you are paying for the same mechanical standard but there is a large difference in both interior and exterior asthetics.

wotswattage

My taxi driver drives a Ssangyong Rodius which he tells me has a Mercedes engine. It is one of the most unpleasant vehicles I have ever sat into.
It has an engine designed by Mercedes in the early 90's, which is made under licence by Ssangyong in Korea. Not exactly the same thing as having a 7-seater Mercedes as he likes to gloat...
However he seems happy out with it so who am I to judge!

Skoda drivers also seem happy out that they are driving something the same as an Audi which is fine by me. But the difference between sitting in an Octavia and an A4 is night and day. Now I like Skodas I'd seriously consider a VRS myself, but they are certainly finished to a lower standard to a similar sized Audi.

*An Octavia is NOT a direct competitor to an A4, but try telling that to an Octavia driver...

Moneymaker

wotswattage wrote: »

My taxi driver drives a Ssangyong Rodius which he tells me has a Mercedes engine. It is one of the most unpleasant vehicles I have ever sat into.
It has an engine designed by Mercedes in the early 90's, which is made under licence by Ssangyong in Korea. Not exactly the same thing as having a 7-seater Mercedes as he likes to gloat...
However he seems happy out with it so who am I to judge!

Skoda drivers also seem happy out that they are driving something the same as an Audi which is fine by me. But the difference between sitting in an Octavia and an A4 is night and day. Now I like Skodas I'd seriously consider a VRS myself, but they are certainly finished to a lower standard to a similar sized Audi.

*An Octavia is NOT a direct competitor to an A4, but try telling that to an Octavia driver...

It could be worse. You could be outside looking at it.

Ugliest car I have ever seen.

zarquon

wotswattage wrote: »

*An Octavia is NOT a direct competitor to an A4, but try telling that to an Octavia driver...

Hate that one myself. A lot of octavia drivers spin that nonsense "Shure the Octavia is essentially an a4" - Yep and a ballymun flat is essentially the same as a foxrock dormer.

No it's not an a4 - the comfort and aesthetic levels are off a much lower standard in the Octavia.

jimgoose

zarquon wrote: »

Hate that one myself. A lot of octavia drivers spin that nonsense "Shure the Octavia is essentially an a4" - Yep and a ballymun flat is essentially the same as a foxrock dormer.

No it's not an a4 - the comfort and aesthetic levels are off a much lower standard in the Octavia.

I believe the Octavia shares an automotive platform with the Mk. V Golf?

comongethappy

AFAIK, VW & Audi have a thicker windscreen or some film on the windscreen to reduce noise aswell as more insulation in the engine bay/wheel arches to appear more 'refined'.

Everything else, they are much the same.

I remember reading that every VW group engine up to 1.4ltrs will be made by Skoda in the future.

comongethappy

jimgoose wrote: »

I believe the Octavia shares an automotive platform with the Mk. V Golf?

Every Octavia is a golf of one generation or another.

The A4 is akin to the Superb/Passat etc.

jimgoose

comongethappy wrote: »

Every Octavia is a golf of one generation or another.

The A4 is akin to the Superb/Passat etc.

Yes, that's what I thought.

MuppetCheck

They are spinning a yarn in the motoring press with the comparisons lately. People comparing the rapid to a golf/astra and an octavia to a Passat/Insignia.

Arequipa

Thanks for the replies...
I know that the Octavia shares the chasis or platform of the Golf, as does lots of other cars...
So the Octavia is essentially a cheaper version of Audi/VW ; in terms of sound insulation/dampening and interior materials...

But is there a car in the Audi/VW group that beats the Octavia VRS tdi for a combo of
-practicality
-space and storage
-powerful and quite fast diesel engine
-quite good tax and economy
-good price...

I know an A4 is in a different class, but does it have a car to rival the Octavia VRS?

Thanks a mil!

MuppetCheck

Also OP, I don't think you're doing wrong buying one. Some people can't get over the stigma of them but that's just the way it is. You're not quite getting a cheap Audi but you're getting decent engineering and quality for your money.

MuppetCheck

Arequipa wrote: »

Thanks for the replies...
I know that the Octavia shares the chasis or platform of the Golf, as does lots of other cars...
So the Octavia is essentially a cheaper version of Audi/VW ; in terms of sound insulation/dampening and interior materials...

But is there a car in the Audi/VW group that beats the Octavia VRS tdi for a combo of
-practicality
-space and storage
-powerful and quite fast diesel engine
-quite good tax and economy
-good price...

I know an A4 is in a different class, but does it have a car to rival the Octavia VRS?

Thanks a mil!

The Seat Leon FR and Golf GTD are the VW and Seat versions, a 170 diesel A3 being audis.

JohnBoy26

I think vw has a slight edge in quality over Skoda. Vw also( in my experience)has the best rust protection out of all vag cars.

Arequipa

yea, the thing is, the prices of skodas seem to be rising in the last few years, probably in recognition of their reliability etc..
But if the creep any closer to Audi/VW prices, then badge appeal is gona become a big factor..

The newer black and silver skoda badge defo looks classier...

So Seat Leon FR vs Golf GTD vs A3 170bhp diesel?!

MuppetCheck

Yep, that's it.

An 09-10 Leon FR is rare as rocking horse poo in this country as is the A3, a GTD is mad money used but they are a very nice car.

You can fit the newer badges to any vRS cheap enough too.

Moneymaker

I've not owned either, but from the cars i've sat in VW seems to have a more "quality" finish to their interiors.

R.O.R

Recently, we've been getting better used trade prices, for Ocatvia's than we have done for Passat's of the same age/similar mileage.

mickdw

R.O.R wrote: »

Recently, we've been getting better used trade prices, for Ocatvia's than we have done for Passat's of the same age/similar mileage.

What age cars are you talking there.

Cienciano

But audi being more expensive are going to be better made, but the real question is it worth the difference?

Bpmull

I think skoda build quality reliability is all fairly similar to vw. I think the skoda octavia is a very reliable car both my parents Octavia's never cause trouble. I'm currently driving there 05 one 1.9tdi and it's comfortable extremely economical for its age (55mpg). I do found the engine a lot louder and not as refined as the newer 1.6tdi. But it's the same 1.9tdi engine in all vags. As for the octavia being the same as an a4. There not there based on the golf platform I know that. But the octavia is deceiving as it's very spacious inside big boot but more so in the back. I'm 6ft2 and have had room there's not too many cars I've been that I can say that. The back of the a4 is certainly no bigger than an octavia well I don't know about newer a4s.

I think skodas biggest selling point was always high quality cars for relatively low cost. In the last year or two that low cost element is gone there as expensive as anything else. There almost a 5 grand gap between the new octavia and the 2011 elegance one my parents bought. And quite frankly I was disappoint with the new model one I was in the quality doesn't seem as high. As for them being bigger I can't sit straight in the back of a new model ! Personally I would prefer a golf over an octavia but it's just my preference not that I think there would be any reliability difference between them.

Arequipa

My sister and bro in law have a Golf 1.6 petrol and an Octavia 1.6 mpi & they both prefer the Skoda.
Now, as they have kids, they appreciate the extra room, but I think they feel the Skoda is very solid and feels very safe & more comfortable than the golf...
Both cars are about 06/07 and low mileage and very well looked after...!

JohnBoy26

Cienciano wrote: »

But audi being more expensive are going to be better made, but the real question is it worth the difference?

Audi's interiors are usually better than rest of the vag marques but I very much doubt if they are better made cars tbh.

lomb

Skoda generally have much poorer squarer styling than VW it has to be said.

comongethappy

lomb wrote: »

Skoda generally have much poorer squarer styling than VW it has to be said.

I'm unsure its worse.

Personally I quite like the more angular look the current crop of Skoda's are sporting.

Relative to style of the VW family, I think they fare pretty well.

Audi & Seat are more handsome though.

R.O.R

mickdw wrote: »

What age cars are you talking there.

3 or 4 year old In general

bop1977

No. I have a 2004 vrs but for the last 10 days I have been driving about in a 2012 a4 quatro 177bhp 2l diesel. The fit, finish and ride are well above the Skoda.

My vrs is showing its age with squeaks and rattles all over the place. I'd say an audi from 2004 would fare a lot better than the Skoda.

Gael23

Mechanically I would say they are comparable for sure. I would definately consider a Skoda over a VW but maybe not an Audi.
My grandad has drivin VWs for quite a number of years minus a few here and there. This time he was very nearly own over by the new Octavia. He went for a Mk7 Golf for a variety. of reasons but the answer to your question is yes.

comongethappy

bop1977 wrote: »

No. I have a 2004 vrs but for the last 10 days I have been driving about in a 2012 a4 quatro 177bhp 2l diesel. The fit, finish and ride are well above the Skoda.

My vrs is showing its age with squeaks and rattles all over the place. I'd say an audi from 2004 would fare a lot better than the Skoda.

In fairness, nearly a decade apart..... In a car a class above the octavia.

Hardly a fair comparison.

whiterebel

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Audi's interiors are usually better than rest of the vag marques but I very much doubt if they are better made cars tbh.

Having gone from a VW to an Audi 5 years ago I can assure you they are much better built. No comparison at all between a Skoda and an Audi. And as for VW reliability? My Passat was the most troublesome car I've ever owned.

Spark Plug

From a power train (engine & gearbox) they are all the same however VW are starting to draw distinctions an example being the rear suspension setup where only the Highline golf and 184bhp Leon get the independent setup. Interior wise I have only experience of audi vs. VW and material quality is superior in audi.

ianobrien

For me, I don't really care how damped the spring is in the grab handles or how soft the dashboard plastic is. I want my car to me mechanically reliable and trouble free. All VAG share mechanical components and in my (limited) experience, Skoda are screwed together better and more intelligently.VW in Passats put electronic control modules on the floor under the carpet of the passenger foot well. Did they think about passengers with wet shoes? Skoda didn't do that....

Skoda, VW and Audi share mechanical components and platforms, so mechanical they are similar. They are engineered to feel different as all have their markets to cater for.

JohnBoy26

whiterebel wrote: »

Having gone from a VW to an Audi 5 years ago I can assure you they are much better built. No comparison at all between a Skoda and an Audi. And as for VW reliability? My Passat was the most troublesome car I've ever owned.

Audi are nicer cars and while sharing most of the same components as vw they are sometimes mechanically different in ways, however much better built is something they are not though. IMO that's an illusion they give off with their premium status, marketing and price.

They still suffer most of the same faults as is seen on vw and suprisingly they have the worst rust protection(in my experience) of all vag cars.

Arequipa

Wow.. The plot thickens....

I think Skoda are marketed as a well-built, economical car..
VW are probably a level above the Skoda &
Audi are marketed the luxury/exclusive sector along with BMW & Mercedes..

Skoda, in spite of all the positive comments do seem to carry the 'cheap Czech imitation' tag...

It seems as well that the Audi are more dolled-up with the exterior lights, body shapes etc...

Do 2014 Skodas get the same equipment/spec as similar sized 2014 Audi/VW?!

My mechanic said he thought that the technology seemed to filter down to Skoda a year/two later?

A

bmm

They are all VAG parts at the end of the day. Finishes have suffered in the latest generation of all VAG brands .Worldwide raw material inflation and wage inflation in Germany are the main reasons.

The 4 brands of VAG have converged into the same product with different stickers. This is the reason VAG has forced dealers to separate the 4 brands into separate showroom locations, so punters do not notice the similarities.

Arequipa

It just shows how cosmetic we are and how easily we can be influenced...

I think just looking at the three badges draws different opinions and responses....


I dunno what you think, but i see Audi as a real Celtic Tiger accessory: over the mad years you'd see more & more Audi's:A4/A5/A6 etc.with their funky headlights on the roads of Ireland: great cars, no doubt, but bit of a fashionable statement: look at me, i'm doing well.. Etc...!

comongethappy

Arequipa wrote: »

My mechanic said he thought that the technology seemed to filter down to Skoda a year/two later?

Indeed Skoda are not getting engine improvements as fast as they should.

I think in terms of toys they are broadly similar though?

MuppetCheck

Not getting improvements? The days when there was a delay in engines/equipment filtering down are gone. They are introduced with new model and facelift cycles. The Octavia and Golf have the same engines and options these days.

comongethappy

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Not getting improvements? The days when there was a delay in engines/equipment filtering down are gone. They are introduced with new model and facelift cycles. The Octavia and Golf have the same engines and options these days.

Speaking for my own (a Yeti).
It was launched with the 170 PS engine in 2009.

Subsequently the sister car the Q3 has been released with the 177ps & 184ps iterations (with improved emissions).

4yrs later the facelifted Yeti & Superb still have yet to get the engine improvements.

Though you are right, the mk3 octavia vrs has the up to date engines.

MuppetCheck

The Tiguan hasn't gotten it either. But others in the Skoda range have the 184 engine. I think it has to do with what they can work into a platform and how close a replacement is regardless of the badge at this stage.

HandsomeDan

Skoda: Old hand me down VW tech. Cheap 'n ****ty rattlebox special interiors.

-Much beloved of gob****es.

VW: overpriced unreliable ****e.

Audi: Really over priced unreliable ****e