Test drive Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?
Test Drive

Test drive Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?

No, we're not talking about him four-wheel drive, although all four may have it. We're going to be talking about four new trump cards from the Volkswagen Group that are likely to solve the problems they came up with for deliberately misleading about diesel emissions.

However, after a few months, four brands offered their new products to customers, all of which used the well-known design basis - a modular platform with a transverse engine (MQB). This year at the meeting of all candidates for the European Car of the Year award in Tannistest in Denmark, we had a direct opportunity to compare these four first crossovers and SUVs, which were born on the basis of common principles.

The Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?

Tiguan ahead of Ku and Ateco, last came Kodiaq

The first VW Group vehicle fitted to the MQB was the Audi A3, which has now been available to customers for nearly four years. The design of SUVs/crossovers, of course, took extra time from the designers, and the first to receive permission for mass production was the Volkswagen Tiguan. Almost simultaneously, the Audi Q2 and Seat Ateca became the first buyers, only the largest of them, the Škoda Kodiaq, is ready to go on sale these days. The arrival on the Slovenian market did not occur at the same time. We know that the Tiguan went on sale very quickly in the domestic market, that is, in Germany. With the Audi Q2, the Bavarian sales bosses have spent a little more time, so sales will start right away. The Seat Ateca has been available on the Slovenian market since October, and the "delay" in sales (in Spain) is about three months. The Kodiaq will hit the market in the Czech Republic and Germany this month, and in Slovenia three months later, next March.

Audi 10 cm lower than Seat

However, these four representatives of the new wave are of completely different sizes and (depending on the design) actually also for their intended purpose. Starting with the smallest: the Audi Q2 is only long. 4,19 metersis also the lowest (10 cm from the nearest in height, the Ateca) and has the shortest wheelbase. The data on the latter is also the most telling: how long has the Volkswagen Group moved forward in the production of cars with a new MQB base. Before that, the designers of individual platforms were very limited in terms of changing the wheelbase, now they are no longer there.

Among the four cars in question, the Seat Ateca has the second longest wheelbase, which, with its 4,363 meters also the second longest. Tiguan long 4,496 meters and has 2,681 meters between axles. It already seems quite large compared to other Kodiaqs considering its dimensions (length 4,697, height 1,655, wheelbase 1,655 meters). In our photos, in fact, there are no serious differences between the three main ones, only in the case of the Audi Q2 we can already see that it is smaller in size and also belongs to the second class. Namely, the Q2, like the A3, is a kind of newcomer from a group that has not yet emerged.

The Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?

There will also be Golf T-Roc and Seat Arona!

Models of similar sizes, but in their own interpretation, are still being prepared by designers from Seat, Škoda and Volkswagen, and will appear very soon; The Volkswagen Golf T-Roc and Seat Arona will be on public display for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

If we go back to the Ateca, Tiguan and Kodiaq trio in terms of size, the differences in appearance are much smaller than we might expect from the sizing data. Only the rear of the Kodiaq stands out a little, otherwise the appearance of all three is very similar.

Do you already have a family? Forget the Q2 and think, yes, Skoda!

There are still many differences in the interior and spaciousness. Here we also leave the Q2 aside, of course there is enough room for the driver and front passenger in the front seats, but the Q2 is designed more like a crossover, aimed primarily at young or older couples, and not for large families. ... Anyone looking for more space in an Audi will have to opt for a larger quantity, i.e. the Q3.

The spatial relationship between Ateco and Tiguan is interesting. Ateca has the trunk is smaller than that of the Tiguan (a difference of about 100 liters), but there is practically no difference in volume on the back bench. Both provide ample space for rear seat passengers. However, the Tiguan has the advantage that the rear bench is also longitudinally movable In this way, we can adapt the space to different needs. In fact, in terms of size (exterior and interior), the Ateca seems to be the car that Seat may have taken as a starting point in the early design: it resembles the first generation Tiguan in size!

Somewhat similar to the smaller Q2, the Kodiaq towers over them due to the larger passenger compartment. The interior is more spacious, in the style of the original designers of this brand - there is room for a higher class. The Kodiaq proves it at a glance, as you can get more out of the back. third row of seatsand behind these backs there is another 270 liters of space. In the version with only five seats, the boot is huge (650 liters), and the passengers on the second bench can provide a lot of legroom, since it is divided (in a ratio of 2: 3) and can also be moved longitudinally. Anyone who decides to drive an SUV or crossover instead of a minivan will definitely have to take a closer look at Kodiak.

As expected, Audi stands out for the quality of its materials.

If we take a look inside for a first impression of the quality of the workmanship and the materials used, everyone who loves Audi can be sure. The impression of workmanship and the feel of materials are still the most convincing and proof of impeccable quality or meticulous workmanship. Volkswagen also tried its best to make the best possible impression here. However, the advantage over competitors from Spain and the Czech Republic is actually only in the little things that are visible only with a careful comparison.

The Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?

Here, too, one cannot look for reasons why this or that brand looks more beautiful and friendlier - all designers tried in one direction. There are no deviations, everything is ergonomically justified and in the most accessible places. Even more differences in equipment screens and sensorsbut even here it is difficult to distinguish the real differences. Namely, they are more dependent on the level of equipment, and there are quite a few possible solutions to choose from.

However, it is true that a potential buyer of one of the four will have to thoroughly study the price lists if he wants to properly equip the chosen car. For a more beautiful look of the pressure gauges, you can choose the option with a digital display. It can only be obtained from Audi and Volkswagen, not the other two. Similarly, for example, with the choice of options. shock absorber adjustment (separately or in a system that adjusts the driving profile settings). Flexible shocks can be afforded three at a time, just for the Ateco, at least not yet available. As for other, mainly electronic security systems, then again there are not so many differences, especially only in the combinations and price ratios applicable to a particular brand ...

The Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?

SUVs or crossovers?

Perhaps a few words about why this four can be called SUVs and separated from crossovers. According to our understanding, an SUV can be one in which the lower part of the car is slightly raised above the ground and has four-wheel drive, which allows driving even on lighter terrain. In all cases, such a drive can be obtained by the customer. But all representatives of this four can also be hybrids, amphibians and have only front-wheel drive... Most buyers choose it with these vehicles as well.

What most people like most is the off-road look, with higher seats and a better view of what's going on in the traffic. The consequence of the different body structure is also one of the important reasons for the choice - space (even in the case of the Q2), of course, compared to that offered in family limousines, is the best part of choosing a car.

The Volkswagen Quartet: Audi Q2, Seat Ateca, Škoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan. What unites them, what separates them?

Thus, the Volkswagen quattro will allow all brands of the group to communicate even better with customers, since such crossovers are the only vehicle class that increases market share. However, the Volkswagen Group's four trump cards - given many common starting points - are also well designed to enable customers to find the right deal for them.

(Note: we deliberately did not write anything about the engines, they may be the same for everyone and therefore may not have any significant differences.)

ModelLengthMedosna riverHeighttrunkthe weight
Listen Q24,191m2,601m1,508m405-1050 l1280 kg
seat Ateca4,363m2,638m1,601m510-1579 l1210 kg
Skoda Kodiaq4,697m2,791m1,655m650–2065 (270 *) l1502 kg
VW Tiguan4,486m2,681m1,643m615-1655 l1490 kg

* with three types of seats

text: Tomaž Porekar

photo: Sasha Kapetanovich

Add a comment