Audi, SEAT, Skoda or VW? How to choose?

[Mike_C]

Time for a new company car in the new year, and I'm struggling to determine which of the 4x mainstay VAG brand options is the one to go for (only options are VAG vehicles)?

I know they share many of the same platforms and in many cases engines too, I am also aware that certain options (e.g. VAQ, or 'Vorderachsquersperre' for those who hate acronyms) are not available on some vehicles (Skoda Octavia vRS) but are on their stablemates (Golf GTi Performance, Seat Leon Cupra..), not sure how effective/important such options are.

The car will only be used on the road rather than track, but driving enjoyment is HIGH on my priority list. Possibly the highest requirement of them all, followed by pace, ride quality and build quality. Tax implications don't bother me, neither does fuel economy particularly. Something practical would be useful, and as such my shortlist looks something like this (in alphabetical rather than preference order):

- Audi S3 - 2.0 TSI, 310PS, quattro, 6spd manual or DSG
- SEAT Leon Cupra R (but SEAT's have never appealed to be honest...)
- Skoda Octavia vRS estate - 2.0 TSi, 220PS, DSG
- Skoda Superb Estate Sportline - 2.0 TSI, 280PS, 4x4, DSG
- VW Golf GTi Clubsport - 2.0 TSI, 265PS, 6spd manual or DSG
- VW Golf R - 2.0 TSI, 300PS, 4MOTION, 6spd manual or DSG
- VW Scirocco R - 2.0 TSI, 280PS, 6spd manual or DSG

So, do I go for maximum power (S3 @310PS or Golf R @300PS), perceived driver involvement (GTi Clubsport?), sporty looks (Scirocco R?) or practicality and performance (Octavia vRS/Superb Sportline)? I don't have time to test drive them all, so any opinions based on personal experience would be gratefully received!

Thanks.

[Jonno02]

This is only my opinion, so feel free to tell me to shove it up my jacksie.

- Audi S3 - 2.0 TSI, 310PS, quattro, 6spd manual or DSG - the boring bland option, but a premium image I suppose.
- SEAT Leon Cupra R (but SEAT's have never appealed to be honest...) - There is no Cupra R. Just a 265, 280 and 290. If you haven't ordered yet, you'll get a 300. I picked up my 290 this morning. It's bloody brilliant.
- Skoda Octavia vRS estate - 2.0 TSi, 220PS, DSG Lovely car, as long as it's a pre-facelift. Personal choice
- Skoda Superb Estate Sportline - 2.0 TSI, 280PS, 4x4, DSG Again, brilliant looking car
- VW Golf GTi Clubsport - 2.0 TSI, 265PS, 6spd manual or DSG Not for me I'm afraid
- VW Golf R - 2.0 TSI, 300PS, 4MOTION, 6spd manual or DSG Better choice than the S3. Dime a dozen though.
- VW Scirocco R - 2.0 TSI, 280PS, 6spd manual or DSG The outlier. Was behind one last night. Would definitely have one if it wasn't a coupe.

[Mike_C]

Jonno02 said:

This is only my opinion, so feel free to tell me to shove it up my jacksie.

- Audi S3 - 2.0 TSI, 310PS, quattro, 6spd manual or DSG - the boring bland option, but a premium image I suppose.
- SEAT Leon Cupra R (but SEAT's have never appealed to be honest...) - There is no Cupra R. Just a 265, 280 and 290. If you haven't ordered yet, you'll get a 300. I picked up my 290 this morning. It's bloody brilliant.
- Skoda Octavia vRS estate - 2.0 TSi, 220PS, DSG Lovely car, as long as it's a pre-facelift. Personal choice
- Skoda Superb Estate Sportline - 2.0 TSI, 280PS, 4x4, DSG Again, brilliant looking car
- VW Golf GTi Clubsport - 2.0 TSI, 265PS, 6spd manual or DSG Not for me I'm afraid
- VW Golf R - 2.0 TSI, 300PS, 4MOTION, 6spd manual or DSG Better choice than the S3. Dime a dozen though.
- VW Scirocco R - 2.0 TSI, 280PS, 6spd manual or DSG The outlier. Was behind one last night. Would definitely have one if it wasn't a coupe.

Thanks for the response Jonno. What made you go for the SEAT Leon rather than VW Golf equivalent? Also, why do you see the S3 as more bland than a Golf R, for instance? And why is the GTi Clubsport not for you? I see this as the most driver-focused option on the list, and I seem to remember Clarkson (a GTi owner himself) was very complimentary of this variant...

I'm not overly bothered by the premium image of any option (otherwise Skoda probably wouldn't be shortlisted!)

[Jonno02]

Not a problem.

I came from a mk2 Leon, which was like a biscuit tray inside. Cheap and chearful. The mk3 Cupra is unreal inside. The standard equipment list is also hefty...standard DCC etc. I do own the car so take my opinion with a pinch of salt; need to be objective here!

The whole A3 lineup to me just looks bland this generation. I find it difficult to tell if it's a boggo A3 or one of their sport variants. It's just not for me, but obviously it's a very popular car. Most opinions seem to say that out of the Cupra, Golf R and S3, the S3 is the most boring. The Golf is very capable and quick and the Cupra is the quickest (when moving...from still is another issue due to FWD) due to lower weight and the wildcard of the bunch.

I just don't agree with the pricetag for, essentially GTI. I'm not into the GTI heritage though, so that's where my mind over heart comes into it. That and I don't think it looks great.

If you're after a hatchback, I'd say give the Cupra 290 Black, Golf R and S3 a drive and you'll know which you prefer after a short blast. Might be hard to find a cupra 290 black in stock though, but the 300 demo's will be out soon. The Cupra 300 estate is also 4WD if you prefer 4WD. If you're after something larger, the estate octavia VRS or superb sportline are beautiful big cars. And I've never really wanted a Skoda before.

I don't know if you've been for a wander around the dealers yet, but sometimes when you see a car in the flesh, you just know it's either a yes or no. I wanted a Lapiz Blue Golf R. Saw it in the flesh and was disappointed. Then saw a white one next to it and loved it, even though in pictures it didn't tickle my fancy.

Coming back full circle here, I chose the Cupra as I had a SEAT before this one. I did like it and for what is essentially the same bits from a VAG part bin, I could drive a cupra 290 on 10k miles a year for £250 as opposed to a Golf R on £310 a month on 5k.

[alock]

Mike_C said:

What made you go for the SEAT Leon rather than VW Golf equivalent?

I'm on my second Leon and chose it entirely because the standard kit on a Leon is very close to the options I would pick on a base car. Costly options make a massive difference to the real running costs. I always feel I would want to add £1000+ of options to either the Golf or Skoda.

When buying my wife a car 11 years ago, the Skoda seemed better suited to what she wanted without having to add lots of options.

[Rutter]

A4 252 quattro like mine, Compared to my wife's golf its a much nicer car to sit in and drive, has plenty enough go, just wish i'd gone for the estate, but maybe next time...

[blueg33]

When looking for a crossover for Mrs B, we looked at

VW Golf Allroad - Not a looking IMO and kit wasn't great
VW Passat Allroad - Good kit, expensive, too big for Mrs B
Seat Leon Xperience - felt a bit plasticky inside
Skoda Octavia Scout - Our choice, looks good, good kit, bigger inside than Golf, Leon and Passat but with a smaller footprint
Skoda Superb Sportline 4x4 - my favourite but too big for Mrs B
A4 Allroad - a bit drab

Overall, we found the Skoda products to be the best in terms of fit, finish, quality and kit, VW second and Seat last. (we really wanted to like the Seat as have had 2 Cupra's before)

[marcusgrant]

As an owner of a mk7 golf GTI PP, and previous owner of an A3, I would personally have the S3 as a first choice. Mainly to due the power, quattro, build quality, interior and being outnumbered by the golf R at about 10/1.

Second choice would be the clubsport with the optional recaro seats and 19" wheels.

Golf R I'm sure is a great car but they're everywhere, just not for me.

[SuperchargedVR6]

marcusgrant said:

As an owner of a mk7 golf GTI PP, and previous owner of an A3, I would personally have the S3 as a first choice.

So would I. It's the Tier 1 car from that list for a good reason, it's better made, period.

Seat, VW & Skoda owners just kid themselves 'it's the same car but cheaper'. Nonsense it is. When you sit in an Audi, you know you're in an Audi. When you sit in a Skoda, you know you've stepped out of Selfridges and into Debenhams.

The only thing that sets the Leon apart in terms of sportiness is spring/damper rates. Any of that can be applied to other cars if it floats your boat, but the S3 is the consummate all rounder and if the company are offering it, I'd snap their hand off for it.

[blueg33]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

marcusgrant said:

As an owner of a mk7 golf GTI PP, and previous owner of an A3, I would personally have the S3 as a first choice.

So would I. It's the Tier 1 car from that list for a good reason, it's better made, period.

Seat, VW & Skoda owners just kid themselves 'it's the same car but cheaper'. Nonsense it is. When you sit in an Audi, you know you're in an Audi. When you sit in a Skoda, you know you've stepped out of Selfridges and into Debenhams.

The only thing that sets the Leon apart in terms of sportiness is spring/damper rates. Any of that can be applied to other cars if it floats your boat, but the S3 is the consummate all rounder and if the company are offering it, I'd snap their hand off for it.

Re the Audi vs Skoda VW interior point. You are wrong unless you are at the premium end of the Audi range. I am not kidding myself, until recently I owned a top spec A6 and have driven plenty of mid and top spec A4's etc. The top end vw's and Skodas are easily as nice inside, the Seat less so

[Jonno02]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

So would I. It's the Tier 1 car from that list for a good reason, it's better made, period.

Seat, VW & Skoda owners just kid themselves 'it's the same car but cheaper'. Nonsense it is. When you sit in an Audi, you know you're in an Audi. When you sit in a Skoda, you know you've stepped out of Selfridges and into Debenhams.

The only thing that sets the Leon apart in terms of sportiness is spring/damper rates. Any of that can be applied to other cars if it floats your boat, but the S3 is the consummate all rounder and if the company are offering it, I'd snap their hand off for it.

When I sat in an S3 at Glasgow Audi, I was underwhelmed by the interior to say the least. Ditto for the exterior. I was led to believe that Audi's were some sort of mythical palace inside. Yes, the only thing different is the springs. Idiot. You read any reviews on the cars...at all? As much as it might hurt, you're 80% paying for the badge. 20% for any noticeable interior upgrade. Oh, and far less equipment. Top spec A3 in S3 guide and not even parking sensors? Jesus.

I found my friends 13 plate M135i interior leaps ahead of a 16 plate S3, by a shocking amount, I must say. That was a nice place to be. And if I can save an easy minimum £5,000 on a seat/skoda opposed to an audi for a few less shiny dials and way more equipment...'I'd snap their hand off.' But then I'm not trying to out do the neighbours.

[marcusgrant]

Alrite Jonno calm down

[BraveSirRobin]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

marcusgrant said:

As an owner of a mk7 golf GTI PP, and previous owner of an A3, I would personally have the S3 as a first choice.

So would I. It's the Tier 1 car from that list for a good reason, it's better made, period.
Seat, VW & Skoda owners just kid themselves 'it's the same car but cheaper'. Nonsense it is. When you sit in an Audi, you know you're in an Audi. When you sit in a Skoda, you know you've stepped out of Selfridges and into Debenhams.
The only thing that sets the Leon apart in terms of sportiness is spring/damper rates. Any of that can be applied to other cars if it floats your boat, but the S3 is the consummate all rounder and if the company are offering it, I'd snap their hand off for it.

All depends what you want to spend your money on. If you want to pay for the better quality dashboard plastics a VW or Audi can offer, then that's your prerogative. Mk3 Leons have interior trim quality issues, but then again so do Golf Mk7s. Fundamentally, the "oily bits" are not really that different.

[Andy OH]

Having owned a 2015 S3 I can say it is a very good car. I test drove almost everything in that sector and went for the S3. The main reason I didn't buy a Golf R is because I also have a played with Golf GTi MK6 and to be honest didn't want another Golf. The S3 is a nice place to be but the car I bought was an ex demo and was loaded with options which helped. However, I have just sold it as I have something from BMW arriving in March