Company car choice - Octavia or Sportage

[greyknightx]

Hi folks

Having started a new job a couple of months ago, in January I will be having to choose my long-term company car from a somewhat lacklustre list. It will be my main family car and needs to be a decent size as we like going camping and I also need to cart work equipment around with me.

Believe me when I say that the two "best" cars available to me are either:-

Skoda Octavia SE Technology Estate, 2.0 TDi, 150ps, manual

or

Kia Sportage '2', 1.7 CRDi, 114ps, manual

There's a VW Golf on the list along with a Volvo V40 etc, but they aren't big enough.

What I'm really struggling with (having not been able to test drive these cars) is that I'd "like" an SUV driving experience for a change and the Kia is quite modern, freshly styled and very well spec'd, but I'm not sure I can live with the lack of power long term. On the other hand the Skoda is supremely dull and bland, but does have a strong engine and again pretty good equipment.

I'd love any ownership experiences of the above two cars and also any opinions generally on what others would choose if they absolutely had to have one of the above? Sadly there is no option to take a car allowance instead.

Many thanks

[Ecosseven]

A haven't driven either of the cars in question but I do own a Seat Leon which is based on the same MGB chassis as the Octavia.

For me I would take the Octavia over the Sportage, especially if the Sportage is 2WD. The 7 year Kia warranty isn't really of benefit in a company car and the Octavia has a massive boot, is comfy, quick, and handles well. I think is it also better equipped that the Kia.

I will need to make a similar decision in the next month although my employer also offers a cash allowance as an alternative and it's highly likely that I'll opt to take the allowance.

[ANJ91]

Definitely Octavia estate as Sportage boot is quite small. Better engine and power like you said, it will be a good all rounder.

[Big GT]

Having run an Octavia estate for 1 year (TDI VRS) I would say the only negative is the harder ride on larger wheel but if the SE has 17" or 16" then this will be fine.
The Octavia is excellent, space, equipment, drive and the 150tdi will be brisk enough.

If you have the capacity for options then I would recommend upgrading the sound system, heated seats and electric boot.

I have driven the Kia and was well impressed but is smaller inside and is more clumsy to drive than the Octavia. The Octavia will be more economical than the Kia.

[PaddyPadsPat]

Octavia every day of the week.

[MorganP104]

Whilst the Octavia is indeed a great car, and the obvious choice here, it all comes down to one question:

Do you want an elevated driving position, or do you prefer to sit lower down in a car?

Once you've answered that one, you'll know what to do.

[greyknightx]

Thanks folks.

Driving position isn't really a factor I guess. I have previously privately owned two top of the range Mondeo estates and just sold my 2014 Titanium X Sport. I guess a company car will never provide the spec I have been used to and an Octavia SE certainly doesn't win any style awards, but it does look like it has some good equipment. Sadly my employer doesn't allow options unless you pay for them yourself, so it'll be a boggo SE Technology spec.

I think my mind is made up now.