2019 Skoda Kodiaq RS vs 2015 HSV R8 Tourer: New vs Used

5 Oct 2019, 01:00 pm

Share

Louis Cordony

2019 Skoda Kodiaq RS vs 2015 HSV R8 Tourer New vs Used

Gallery7

A performance diesel SUV – classic oxymoron, right? Perhaps, until you consider there have been some decent examples of this very thing. The latest Audi SQ7 can crack a smile, for example. And next year there'll be more when the Skoda Kodiaq RS arrives.

The Kodiaq is the Czech brand's seven-seat SUV, and its RS division has poked it with a stick.

7

The RS rides on a front-biased all-wheel drive platform and the adaptive suspension is tuned to claw into the road at higher limits than its brethren. The steering is quicker as well. Catapulting it between corners will be a diesel four-cylinder, codenamed EA288, that sucks air from two turbochargers working in sequence. Skoda promises it will sound good, too, since it's equipped with an engine sound generator...

But we believe there's a simpler, more authentic way to ferry around five people and a dog with a great soundtrack. HSV's Gen-F Clubsport R8 Tourer should do the trick, with its 6.2-litre LS3 V8 tickled to 340kW and 570Nm in the 2015 model.

MOREClubsport R8 Tourer v 300 SRT

7

We haven't yet driven the Skoda, but based on its specs the HSV will wipe it in any way you want to cut a performance test (at least on bitumen), thanks to an engine in the front, rear-drive and lower centre of gravity. Yeah, it might use more fuel in the process, but with used prices hovering around $55K for well-kept 2015 cars, you'll have plenty cash left over to splurge at the bowser.

Either way, you’re getting a lot for your money.

2019 Skoda Kodiaq RS	vs	2015 HSV R8 Tourer
1968cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, twin-turbo	ENGINE	6162cc V8, OHV, 16v
176kW @ 6500rpm	POWER	340kW @ 6100rpm
500Nm @ 1750-5000rpm	TORQUE	570Nm @ 4650rpm
1880kg	WEIGHT	1821kg
6.9sec (claimed)	0-100KM/H	4.9sec (estimate)
$65,990	PRICE	$55,000 (used)