I visited my local dealership today, which has both Skoda and VW shops within even my walking distance. The skoda is very comfortable to sit in and easy to get in, although I had to have the seat all the way back (although that saves the needs for power seats if it’s jammed as far back as it goes). The boot is vast, it’s a proper estate car on stilts but the electric works does reduce the depth of that boot. Back seats are plentiful, I could sit in the rear seat behind the front seat I jammed back with ease, although my knee would complain if I had to sit like that for long (which it would in any car).
I sat in a Suite design, which is the one the dealer thinks is going to be most likely to get heated seats into without spending a fortune.
The salesman was hugely helpful, and I mean HUGELY!!! He was instantly onto the fact that heated seats would be essential for anyone with a back issue and understood the reasoning behind powered seats for disabled customers, probably more so than Motability. He also sits on the mindset that Motability customers are gold, if they’re treated right, they do tend to very easily become either brand or dealership loyal and are good for decades of return business. Unlike many, he was very happy to discuss everything and anything I wanted regardless of how far in advance I was looking, afterall, it’ll be months before orders become cars. On the subject of which, the Enyaq is now advertised with a 12 week availability as Skoda have prioritised them, that also explains why they’re on scheme now.
Everything I poked, prodded, switched or played with did what I’d expect in around the time/style you’d want. The infotainment wasn’t overly laggy, despite what every review said, although coming from a Chinese car, that might just be a comparison to the awful systems in the Mk1 ZS.
The ID5 was incredibly comfortable, although they only had the superior GTX available to sit in as the Style was being used by staff who weren’t in today. They’re more than happy for me to pop in and see if it makes a huge difference at any time. Systems were equally competent but plastics felt cheaper. Seats were heated as standard in the ID5, although adjustment can’t be electronic without choosing a higher model that isn’t on scheme.
The GTX has the Heads Up Display and uprated infotainment, which meant the drivers screen was on the stalk for the wheel and adjusted with the wheel, so you’ll always be looking through the wheel at it. However, you get that reflection on screen so can see the information you really need without looking away from the road.
It’s really not helped me much, the ID5 goes further (according to the salesman their demonstrators are getting 280/290 in summer, 220/240 now, despite all test drives being less than economical. The Enyaq (also according to the salesman) was getting 230 from the 60 (which is on scheme) and much less (190ish) in winter but the optional heat pump would help with that. Which is another problem, that’s a grand for something that is standard on the Nissan.
Having sat in both, there’s £1,350 difference between the two with another £1,000 to get to the Ariya. That means if I can get the £2,700 pack that includes heated seats plus wireless charging, keyless entry (but not handsfree boot) Adaptive cruise control, tri-zone climate control, heated steering wheel with regen paddles and USB C charging ports for the rear.
That puts the upgraded Enyaq closer in specification to the Ariya but sitting in the Nissan will tell if that’s enough.
according to vw uk there are a few of teh id5’s in stock too in the uk, just finding a dealer that will let one go.
There are but, as the salesman said, the likelihood of the dealership letting one go isn’t great. Likely wait is 6-12 months.
So, all I’ve achieved from that is that the ID5 feels much cheaper, although the pricetag is impacting my expectation somewhat. It’s also the case that the extra promised range is actually quite minimal, 50 miles further for that 15kWh. That will only really tell on a journey and, to be brutally truthful, both are further on a journey than my bladder reaches, so I’d be stopping for a 20 minute boost after around 100 miles anyway.
I’m not sure when I’ll get to the Nissan dealership, where I’ll have a look at the QQ and Ariya side by side and will compare the latter with today’s two. I’ll report back then.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.
Mark