Three more test drives - Lexus, Peugeot and Skoda
Jul 26, 2020 14:15:43 GMT
Post by Avant on Jul 26, 2020 14:15:43 GMT
Some more impressions in case they're of interest: all unaccompanied test drives of about an hour each (an unexpected bonus from the current restrictions).
Lexus UX
Good to drive, with plenty of performance - but so is a Toyota Corolla with the same 2.0 petrol engine and 'self-charging' hybrid. The Corolla had slightly sharper handling when I tried it.
Two things knock the UX out : the piddly little boot, and the completely hopeless infotainment system, with a touchpad controller which was imprecise when the car was stopped, and suicidal even to try to use when on the move. Infuriating way of adding extras, which has to be via a series of packs. To get lumbar support you have to have the Tech and Sound pack.
I could see no reason to have this Lexus in preference to a Corolla estate. I was impressed by the Corolla (previous thread) but I think my particular needs are best suited to a PHEV.
Peugeot 3008
This should have suited me well. Medium SUV with a strong combination of petrol and electric. The top GT model (naturally the one they had as a demonstrator) costs an eye-watering £46k, but the Allure model is about £10,000 less: how much less powerful it is can't be found out unless you buy one.
Excellent performance: softer suspension than my Q2 but as a consequence rather roly-poly handling. The battery was fully charged, and the electric motor was clearly contributing, but even selecting Electric mode it wouldn't run on electric power alone. I've no idea - nor had the unimpressive salesman - whether this was a feature of the model or faulty French electrics. But the whole point for me of having a PHEV is to do just that.
I'm one of those who can be very comfortable with the small Peugeot steering wheel - I liked it. Infotainment not too bad, and adjusting the heating and AC was less of a hassle than expected - although separate controls would still be better and safer.
The 3008 hybrid failed my 'keyboard test' - I need a flat or nearly-flat floor to roll in my full-size music keyboard in its case with wheels at one end. Most 3008s are fine, but presumably because of the batteries underneath, the hybrids' rear seat backrest won't go lower than about 30 degrees from the horizontal.
Generally not as good as I'd hoped.
Skoda Superb
Oddly, this isn't the car I want (bigger than we need) but it impressed me the most. I wanted to try an example of the VAG PHEV set-up which is gradually being offered in more models.
Plenty of range on electric power only, and spirited performance, which is then very lively indeed with petrol and electric combined. I always find that the balance between ride and handling on VAG cars is just right - one of the reasons I've had several of them. Excellent driving position, and as the quality of the interior fittings in VWs goes down, in Skodas it gets better.
The very good sales team at Yeovil Skoda did a good job of tempting me to buy the Superb demonstrator, but it's too soon to trade in the Q2. My overriding feeling is that the forthcoming Octavia PHEV will be a very strong contender; as is the Ford Kuga which i tried a few weeks ago.
Hopefully this, and PHEV versions of the BMW X1 and Renault Captur, will be with us later this year. I'm sure people will point out any obvious contenders that I'm missing.
Lexus UX
Good to drive, with plenty of performance - but so is a Toyota Corolla with the same 2.0 petrol engine and 'self-charging' hybrid. The Corolla had slightly sharper handling when I tried it.
Two things knock the UX out : the piddly little boot, and the completely hopeless infotainment system, with a touchpad controller which was imprecise when the car was stopped, and suicidal even to try to use when on the move. Infuriating way of adding extras, which has to be via a series of packs. To get lumbar support you have to have the Tech and Sound pack.
I could see no reason to have this Lexus in preference to a Corolla estate. I was impressed by the Corolla (previous thread) but I think my particular needs are best suited to a PHEV.
Peugeot 3008
This should have suited me well. Medium SUV with a strong combination of petrol and electric. The top GT model (naturally the one they had as a demonstrator) costs an eye-watering £46k, but the Allure model is about £10,000 less: how much less powerful it is can't be found out unless you buy one.
Excellent performance: softer suspension than my Q2 but as a consequence rather roly-poly handling. The battery was fully charged, and the electric motor was clearly contributing, but even selecting Electric mode it wouldn't run on electric power alone. I've no idea - nor had the unimpressive salesman - whether this was a feature of the model or faulty French electrics. But the whole point for me of having a PHEV is to do just that.
I'm one of those who can be very comfortable with the small Peugeot steering wheel - I liked it. Infotainment not too bad, and adjusting the heating and AC was less of a hassle than expected - although separate controls would still be better and safer.
The 3008 hybrid failed my 'keyboard test' - I need a flat or nearly-flat floor to roll in my full-size music keyboard in its case with wheels at one end. Most 3008s are fine, but presumably because of the batteries underneath, the hybrids' rear seat backrest won't go lower than about 30 degrees from the horizontal.
Generally not as good as I'd hoped.
Skoda Superb
Oddly, this isn't the car I want (bigger than we need) but it impressed me the most. I wanted to try an example of the VAG PHEV set-up which is gradually being offered in more models.
Plenty of range on electric power only, and spirited performance, which is then very lively indeed with petrol and electric combined. I always find that the balance between ride and handling on VAG cars is just right - one of the reasons I've had several of them. Excellent driving position, and as the quality of the interior fittings in VWs goes down, in Skodas it gets better.
The very good sales team at Yeovil Skoda did a good job of tempting me to buy the Superb demonstrator, but it's too soon to trade in the Q2. My overriding feeling is that the forthcoming Octavia PHEV will be a very strong contender; as is the Ford Kuga which i tried a few weeks ago.
Hopefully this, and PHEV versions of the BMW X1 and Renault Captur, will be with us later this year. I'm sure people will point out any obvious contenders that I'm missing.
