My indulgence is my MX5 NA but my main car is a 2018 Kodiaq 1.5 Tsi SEL Auto.
It’s a cracking car and has all the creature comforts and safety features I want. I drove a lot of different cars in my working career, Merecedes, BMW’s included. The best was a Mercedes but the Kodiaq is as near as I can get to that and much cheaper and my third Skoda. I would definately recommend it to anyone.
You can get 4x4 Superbs and Octavia’s.
Superb has been transverse engine since c2015?, and along with the octavia uses a version of the MQB platform, also used on golf, Leon, a3 etc etc.
That’s why all of them are very similar to drive, they all have the same hard points the same basic architecture, and the same running gear.
The brands are marketed differently to appeal to varying market segments and pockets, although the lines are blurred these days.
I’m a fan of the MQB platform, we have two Golfs in the family one estate one hatch. I don’t know how they’ve done it but the driving position of the Kodiaq felt exactly the same as my Golf, but the Tiguan felt much more upright & bus like, I think it must have been the steering wheel angle. There’s a bizarre querk with the Kodiaq range where the manual diesel cars in 7 seat form are not certified for towing, only the much rarer 5 seaters. Most are 7 seaters which complicates the search for one!
What about Seat’s then? They tend to be more engaging to drive than the Skoda’s. They have a new sporty brand called Cupra with an estate, and a box on stilts (dreadful name mind).
The upcoming KONA N
I didnt see X3 in there anywhere. Quite a bit of rear leg room there.
What puts most people off BMW’s is the people who drive BMW"s
Similar types are in Audis
so true…
Me and my Audi are very happy thanks 
Likewise!
Get a 5 series and don’t bother with an estate. I drive a saloon probably around the same Devon roads as you and it’s great.
Regarding people who moan about Audi and BMW drivers, they’re only jealous cause they can only afford Skodas, oh and if you have one of those then you need to use indicators.
Looking a Skoda prices, if only lol
Also, I wouldn’t say people are ‘jealous’ of AUDI/BMW drivers due to finances.
I just think they’re funny sometimes tearing up to roundabouts with the mechanical sympathy of a rhino, slamming on the anchors or tailgating like a nutter…often in a lawnmower 1L 10.6 secs 0-62mph A1 or A3, or ‘that’ ‘infamous’ 1.5 TSi engine.
It is funny when you try so many motors, expectations not met with one car means disappointment. Unexpectedly nice drive means enthusiasm for that one.
Thing is if you go back the next day to one that disappointed you, your expectations are lower and you can get a pleasant surprise.
My point is, go back and have another look at a CX5.
I have a Kuga a CX5, and recently had a Tiguan for 48 hours.
The Tiguan, I was initially excited about, really liked it. But after a day it was leaving me just a bit cold. Kuga is the most sumptuous, big soft seats. I am loving it as a run around. The CX5 most refined on smooth motorways, I have been across Europe with large blokes in the back and a load of luggage, car was superb in that role. I think the CX is slightly larger than both Kuga and Tiguan in the rear leg room department.
If you are leaning towards an estate car, the Skoda Superb is big, luxurious, makes a perfect taxi. 5 series or E-Class are both nice. You know they will drive better than an SUV, are almost just as practical, be better on fuel. But sometimes you want the height and visibility, and ease of getting into/out of a higher seat.
You kind of need to decide honestly what you need, is a prestige badge important to you? Driving performance on twisty roads? Etc. Narrow down the criteria. And take second test drives - ask for an extended drive, most garages are happy to let you have a car overnight if you are a serious customer.
We’re on to our second 6 estate and can’t fault it to be honest. And also the service from Mazda is great. The first one ‘pot holed’ and we were towed to the garage and then driven home for free. The new one pick up a stone in the brakes, no problem, chap turned up and fixed it on the spot again no charge. Well, I know I’m paying somewhere down the line, but it’s really hassle free.
My daughter has just order a Karoq so will be interesting to see what that’s like.
Is VW defined as prestige?
I ask as when I had one (from 20 or so miles on the clock) it was ‘prestige’ in that it was a total nightmare, and me and the mrs were on the de facto Christmas card list with the dealer, given it was back so many times?
The car has to take the four of us, I’m 6’2" and my eldest is 6’5" son number two is not that far behind either hence the fact the Golf estate is now too small. It needs a big boot as we are renovating a house so needs to take lots of random stuff down to the house. The ground clearance on the Golf GT TDI along with four adults means I have often grounded the bottom out on some of Devon’s switchback roads hence the need for something with a bigger clearance. 4wd is a nice to have for the same reason.
The prestige badge isn’t important to me but a nice comfy interior with things like adaptive cruise is important due to the 20-25k miles a year I do in the car.
And the only Auto car I ever got on with was a Maserati Gran Tourismo, the rest of them just seem to not suit my driving style and annoy me when approaching roundabouts etc and you catch the gearbox out in the wrong gear, or waft along with little/no engine braking. Trouble is that most manufacturers seem to only do the 4wd versions of their cars with Auto boxes.
I did go back a second time to see the CX-5 and there’s definitely not enough rear legroom.
If Skoda did a 4x4 Scout version of the Superb (which has raised ride height) I’d buy it, but sadly not available in this country.
That is up to you. It is your perception that matters.
I went from Merc to VW to Honda to Merc to Skoda to BMW to BMW to Ford on my main car over the last 20 years.
Yes in the Skoda it felt utilitarian, the Mercs and BMWs I was aware that they attract paint scratchers so was very aware where I parked. VW, Honda and Ford (and the other half’s Mazda) get parked where ever convenient without too much concern.
I think the badge snobbery thing is less polarised now than it was twenty thirty years ago. Lada and Skoda used to be a joke. But there are no bad cars these days, even things like Dacia Dusters have a broad appeal (I know I want one).
Tall family! Yes Superb Scout sounds a good option. Might not be your thing, but if it is not available in the UK, I would think you could get the longer struts retro fitted to lift the car, could use genuine Skoda parts to preserve any warranty on them, or go aftermarket and save a fortune. (I had Bilstien kit fitted to a BMW from new and it didn’t affect warranty of ‘non affected parts’ so no worries doing it.)
If you like the Maserati box, was it the ZF? My last BMW had the 8 speed ZF (as do Jaguar and others) and it is a peach. Way better than the double clutch affairs in VAGs. (I know people love the DCT, but for me the stop start jumpyness was a bit crude, fine when moving though).
The BMW system linked into the GPS system so it knew if you lifted off towards the end of a straight not to up shift going into the bend. Loved that gearbox.
Have you looked at an X3 or above?
