Pick of the estates - Passat/Superb/Mondeo?

PROJECT K

Hi all, my company car is due to be changed in June (171) and I am really struggling to choose between the above (I know, I know its so unfair !!!), would appreciate any comments from owners of recent models particularly in estate form. I took a test drive in all but the Mondeo as the local showroom haven't got any 2litres in at the moment, which is frustrating as its supposed to be the best driving car! I currently have a 141 Seat Leon ST FR which I absolutely love and would buy again in a heartbeat only I need a bigger car for an expanding family! So while I do like a sporty drive I have come to accept that upscaling limits exciting driving dynamics and with an approx. 35k budget and company restrictions I cant afford Audi/BMW. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the Passat 2.0 Tdi Comfortline (now I know I must be getting old!) with innovation pack (Keyless entry/push start/Park Assist/tinted glass etc) but at €37k it might be stretching the budget a toy too far...the Superb I liked too but it really feels like a big car (the Passat feels more compact but with little compromise on space where its needed). The superb was an Ambition Combi with upgrade 17" wheels and sunset glass for €35820 but didn't have front park sensors (needed more in this car than the Passat!), and generally didn't have the same level of spec as the Passat (I would have thought the spec would have been equal). I got prices for the Mondeo estate of €35800 and €38400 for the Zetec and Titanium trim respectively and while I really liked the latter, price is definitely beyond budget. The Zetec was less impressive but had the Styling pack which gave a similar appearance externally to the titanium...a colleague commented on the small headlights and poor visibility at night, anyone else experience this?
Any other options im missing? I have discounted Mazda due to relatively small/awkward boot and reliability issues...

Thanks
PK

grogi

PROJECT K wrote: »

Hi all, my company car is due to be changed in June (171) and I am really struggling to choose between the above (I know, I know its so unfair !!!), would appreciate any comments from owners of recent models particularly in estate form. I took a test drive in all but the Mondeo as the local showroom haven't got any 2litres in at the moment, which is frustrating as its supposed to be the best driving car! I currently have a 141 Seat Leon ST FR which I absolutely love and would buy again in a heartbeat only I need a bigger car for an expanding family! So while I do like a sporty drive I have come to accept that upscaling limits exciting driving dynamics and with an approx. 35k budget and company restrictions I cant afford Audi/BMW. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the Passat 2.0 Tdi Comfortline (now I know I must be getting old!) with innovation pack (Keyless entry/push start/Park Assist/tinted glass etc) but at €37k it might be stretching the budget a toy too far...the Superb I liked too but it really feels like a big car (the Passat feels more compact but with little compromise on space where its needed). The superb was an Ambition Combi with upgrade 17" wheels and sunset glass for €35820 but didn't have front park sensors (needed more in this car than the Passat!), and generally didn't have the same level of spec as the Passat (I would have thought the spec would have been equal). I got prices for the Mondeo estate of €35800 and €38400 for the Zetec and Titanium trim respectively and while I really liked the latter, price is definitely beyond budget. The Zetec was less impressive but had the Styling pack which gave a similar appearance externally to the titanium...a colleague commented on the small headlights and poor visibility at night, anyone else experience this?
Any other options im missing? I have discounted Mazda due to relatively small/awkward boot and reliability issues...

Thanks
PK

All the quoted cars will not be bigger enough to accommodate additional person. There is slightly more legroom, a bit bigger boot - but nothing that would be a game changer coming from Leon estate...

But if you are after estates in d-segment, check i40, Kia Optima (is it released yet?) And Peugeot 508.

I would however suggest an MPV, C4 Picasso or a well speced cmax...

selectamatic

A pretty high spec 140bhp sol avensis touring sports comes in around the 36k mark. The Luna comes in at 34k. Could be an option to consider be interesting to see how Toyota get on with the bmw n47 engine but it'll be a company car after all.

colm_mcm

I don't think the Mondeo is that amazing to drive tbh. It also feels quite narrow for whatever reason.

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

I don't think the Mondeo is that amazing to drive tbh. It also feels quite narrow for whatever reason.

Yeap. Previous one was excellent, this generation is just blaah.

PROJECT K

grogi wrote: »

PROJECT K wrote: »

Hi all, my company car is due to be changed in June (171) and I am really struggling to choose between the above (I know, I know its so unfair !!!), would appreciate any comments from owners of recent models particularly in estate form. I took a test drive in all but the Mondeo as the local showroom haven't got any 2litres in at the moment, which is frustrating as its supposed to be the best driving car! I currently have a 141 Seat Leon ST FR which I absolutely love and would buy again in a heartbeat only I need a bigger car for an expanding family! So while I do like a sporty drive I have come to accept that upscaling limits exciting driving dynamics and with an approx. 35k budget and company restrictions I cant afford Audi/BMW. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the Passat 2.0 Tdi Comfortline (now I know I must be getting old!) with innovation pack (Keyless entry/push start/Park Assist/tinted glass etc) but at €37k it might be stretching the budget a toy too far...the Superb I liked too but it really feels like a big car (the Passat feels more compact but with little compromise on space where its needed). The superb was an Ambition Combi with upgrade 17" wheels and sunset glass for €35820 but didn't have front park sensors (needed more in this car than the Passat!), and generally didn't have the same level of spec as the Passat (I would have thought the spec would have been equal). I got prices for the Mondeo estate of €35800 and €38400 for the Zetec and Titanium trim respectively and while I really liked the latter, price is definitely beyond budget. The Zetec was less impressive but had the Styling pack which gave a similar appearance externally to the titanium...a colleague commented on the small headlights and poor visibility at night, anyone else experience this?
Any other options im missing? I have discounted Mazda due to relatively small/awkward boot and reliability issues...

Thanks
PK

All the quoted cars will not be bigger enough to accommodate additional person. There is slightly more legroom, a bit bigger boot - but nothing that would be a game changer coming from Leon estate...

But if you are after estates in d-segment, check i40, Kia Optima (is it released yet?) And Peugeot 508.

I would however suggest an MPV, C4 Picasso or a well speced cmax...

Thanks for reply, I appreciate none are significantly wider but the Passat is approx. 50-55mm wider and the Superb is over 70mm on the back seats - this makes a lot of difference when trying to squeeze 3 kids into the back (two child seats and booster). Its possible in the Leon but not exactly comfortable for the poor little guy in the middle!!!
Had looked at the i40 but not fussy on the styling and only available in 1.7, really liked the look of the 508 but reviews weren't great...also I would consider an MPV but company will not allow these...

PROJECT K

colm_mcm wrote: »

I don't think the Mondeo is that amazing to drive tbh. It also feels quite narrow for whatever reason.

yes so the reviews go, pretty much rules it out for me so...had my hopes pinned on this if the driving was at least a little bit exciting...might take a spin in one anyway just before I make the final decision. Having sat in one (1.5 diesel) I thought the same, feels noticeably smaller than a Passat or Superb but I know that its similar...

PROJECT K

thanks

selectamatic wrote: »

A pretty high spec 140bhp sol avensis touring sports comes in around the 36k mark. The Luna comes in at 34k. Could be an option to consider be interesting to see how Toyota get on with the bmw n47 engine but it'll be a company car after all.

thanks, hadn't considered a Toyota - not overly keen on the styling but definitely a nice spec for the price...

MarkN

To look at, it would be the Passat for me. Those 19" wheels in their grey/silver type colour with cream leather. Class looking.

Haven't driven any of them so I'm useless there!

cros13

There's a new Kia Optima estate due in Ireland in about two months with a plug-in hybrid version. Of course a lot more power and equipment than the poverty-spec diesels.... should be in your price range too.

Passat Estate GTE is possibly priced out of the market at €44k. But again it's much more powerful and better equipped than the diesels.

https://www.volkswagen.ie/content/dam/vw-ngw/vw_pkw/importers/ie/downloads/product-guides/Passat_GTE_161125.pdf/_jcr_content/renditions/original.media_file.download_attachment.file/Passat_GTE_161125.pdf

PROJECT K

MarkN wrote: »

To look at, it would be the Passat for me. Those 19" wheels in their grey/silver type colour with cream leather. Class looking.

Haven't driven any of them so I'm useless there!

yes im a strong believer that most cars can look pretty class when paired with the right wheels, not sure what spec level you are referring to but Passat in comfortline 16"s is all you get, bit less appealing...  Same for Skoda Superb Ambition, Mondeo get 17s though...

PROJECT K

cros13 wrote: »

There's a new Kia Optima estate due in Ireland in about two months with a plug-in hybrid version. Of course a lot more power and equipment than the poverty-spec diesels.... should be in your price range too.

Passat Estate GTE is possibly priced out of the market at €44k.

Yes Passat GTE would be my choice but budget busting!!!

cros13

Some day they are going to have to do something about BIK on plug-ins like they did in the UK.

There was a good few years where the plug-in market in the UK was driven by the 0% BIK rate.

colm_mcm

cros13 wrote: »

Some day they are going to have to do something about BIK on plug-ins like they did in the UK.

There was a good few years where the plug-in market in the UK was driven by the 0% BIK rate.

That's so Strange! I was idly thinking about BIK today and wondered if it would be viable to push electric vehicles for business users, not all of them are doing big mileage. Certainly when I look at my work mileage, it's not that high, lots of local stuff where it's parked up for hours on end.
0% BIK would make a huge difference where the end user has some input into the choice of car.

Casati

PROJECT K wrote: »

Thanks for reply, I appreciate none are significantly wider but the Passat is approx. 50-55mm wider and the Superb is over 70mm on the back seats - this makes a lot of difference when trying to squeeze 3 kids into the back (two child seats and booster). Its possible in the Leon but not exactly comfortable for the poor little guy in the middle!!!
Had looked at the i40 but not fussy on the styling and only available in 1.7, really liked the look of the 508 but reviews weren't great...also I would consider an MPV but company will not allow these...

I have a Leon and also a Superb combi (MkII) and can confirm there is a lot more space in the Superb - Ive also got three kids and although I find the Superb rear seat design isn't ideal (hard to buckle in the seat belts) the legroom is great as the kids never get near to kicking the back of your seat - also the massive rear footwell is a real bonus so kids leaving stuff in etc.

The Passat is almost as long and as wide as the Superb externally - I agree that the spec and fit and finish too looks better than the Skoda- basically it just has a little less legroom.

Could you wait until the new Insignia is launched? Its meant to massive inside and is an all new model- Opel latest engines look great too. The Optima is worth a look too

Whatever you do dont waste time looking at an Avensis - you'd be getting a car that behind the class leaders when launched 4 years before your Leon

grogi

Sitec wrote: »

Have a look at the Superb Sportline TDI, just in budget.

By the looks of it, with the delivery in 2018

Zurbaran

I'd seriously consider a Mazda 6 Tourer.

PROJECT K

Zurbaran wrote: »

I'd seriously consider a Mazda 6 Tourer.

yes I had done but has a colourful reliability history! also feels a bit dated against all other options mentioned...really liked the platinum spec with stone leather but this is over 38k!!!

PROJECT K

decision made!!! went with a superb combi in mid level ambition trim but added the 17" wheels/sunset glass/KESSY/front parking sensors all for €400 less than the Passat comfortline. In the end it just came down to spec level - over and above the passaat, the Skoda comes with heated front seats, Led daytime running lights, huge temperature controlled central cubby, 8" infotainment screen, Bi-Xenon lights with washers etc...the skoda jokes have already started at work from the badge snobs but ill be the one smiling in 3 months time!!!