Now that we are making regular trips - 30 miles all in - to see our newly arrived grandchildren the Audi 2.0 TFSI is no more. We now have in its place a 2008 Altea XL, 1.9 TDI Stylance. We chose this car because it ticks the economy box and is also brilliantly practical. Collected it on Saturday and have covered a couple of hundred miles, since.
Initial impressions:
Performance:
Engine:
Previous car was a 2.0TFSI Audi Quattro S-line, which was a bit of a mover as the revs built, and although the 1.9 TDI isn't anywhere near as fast, there isn't much between them at the lower end of the rev range - where it really matters, as I see it. It's a bit noisy on start up and during initial acceleration but quietens to almost negligible level when cruising.
Brakes:
Although the brakes are smaller diameter than the Audi's, nonetheless, they are just as effective - in normal driving, at least.
Suspension/Ride:
Suspension set up combined with 16" alloys on 205/55/ tyres give a pretty comfortable ride, yet there's very little roll on corners. I'm probably going to upgrade to 17" with 45 aspect tyres to firm up the ride a wee bit. It's a bit "floaty" on the 55 aspect.
Build Quality
Although there's lots of potential rattle sources - compartment lids, trays, sliding seats etc. I'm really surprised; there are no rattles, whatsoever. The cabin materials are nearly on a par with the Audi, although the dash isn't quite as classy - not too keen on the carbon effect. That's a minor criticism. The tail gate lip is a little high but otherwise the boot is well designed. Interior fittings seem robust and I like the privacy glass and built-in blinds on the rear doors.
Spec:
In addition to the driver info computer, it comes standard with auto; wipers, headlights and dimming rear view mirror, also folding wing mirrors and cruise control. Pretty impressive compared with the miserly kit in the Audi.
Economy:
The Audi's fuel consumption (25mpg) was a significant factor in the decision to change to diesel. On Sunday, in the Altea, on a 15 mile mainly uphill run, on a mix of motorway and country the computer read out recorded 47mpg and on the return, downhill, obviously, 63mpg. Fabulous!!!
I'll do an actual check between fill ups and get an exact figure but initial impressions are very encouraging.
That's my findings during my first 3 days with the XL. Hope it is of some assistance to anyone contemplating an XL.
Initial impressions:
Performance:
Engine:
Previous car was a 2.0TFSI Audi Quattro S-line, which was a bit of a mover as the revs built, and although the 1.9 TDI isn't anywhere near as fast, there isn't much between them at the lower end of the rev range - where it really matters, as I see it. It's a bit noisy on start up and during initial acceleration but quietens to almost negligible level when cruising.
Brakes:
Although the brakes are smaller diameter than the Audi's, nonetheless, they are just as effective - in normal driving, at least.
Suspension/Ride:
Suspension set up combined with 16" alloys on 205/55/ tyres give a pretty comfortable ride, yet there's very little roll on corners. I'm probably going to upgrade to 17" with 45 aspect tyres to firm up the ride a wee bit. It's a bit "floaty" on the 55 aspect.
Build Quality
Although there's lots of potential rattle sources - compartment lids, trays, sliding seats etc. I'm really surprised; there are no rattles, whatsoever. The cabin materials are nearly on a par with the Audi, although the dash isn't quite as classy - not too keen on the carbon effect. That's a minor criticism. The tail gate lip is a little high but otherwise the boot is well designed. Interior fittings seem robust and I like the privacy glass and built-in blinds on the rear doors.
Spec:
In addition to the driver info computer, it comes standard with auto; wipers, headlights and dimming rear view mirror, also folding wing mirrors and cruise control. Pretty impressive compared with the miserly kit in the Audi.
Economy:
The Audi's fuel consumption (25mpg) was a significant factor in the decision to change to diesel. On Sunday, in the Altea, on a 15 mile mainly uphill run, on a mix of motorway and country the computer read out recorded 47mpg and on the return, downhill, obviously, 63mpg. Fabulous!!!
I'll do an actual check between fill ups and get an exact figure but initial impressions are very encouraging.
That's my findings during my first 3 days with the XL. Hope it is of some assistance to anyone contemplating an XL.
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