We've recently switched from a MK3 LEON 1.5 FR 150 to a like for like new MK4 LEON 1.5 FR 150. Having had the new car a few days, some initial comparative thoughts are as follows:
Positives:
- Despite being on paper the same engine, the FR150 seems smoother in the MK4 than the MK3.
- Early signs are that the fuel consumption is also better on the MK4 (52mpg on a 30 mile mixed road trip)
- The Sat Nav is a considerable step up from the old.
- The media player and radio are also a step up in terms of functionality and ease of use.
Things that don't seem as good (at this point):
- Our largest "gripe" is the the Lane Assist function that was not present on the MK3. On country roads or on roads where a cycle lane is present it is a real pain if not a dangerous distraction. It kicks in too soon or misinterprets the lines in the road. On a number of occasions, I was driving around a bend and it twitched the steering wheel to indicate we were too close to the centre line when, in fact, we were a considerable margin away from it. Switching off the Lane Assist function brings a permanent warning sign onto the dashboard. I would like it configurable so you can specify a higher minimum speed that it commences working (e.g. 50mph) so that it mostly kicks in on dual carriageways etc.
- The seats in the MK4 FR do not seem as supportive as the seats in the MK3 (notwithstanding the presence of lumbar control)
- The front parking sensors do not seem anywhere near as sensitive than on the MK3. Getting someone to walk a foot away from the front of the car (with it engaged in first gear) does activate it so we know the sensors are operating. However, slowly driving towards objects when we're parking does not activate it. We'll likely get this checked out by our garage when lockdown finishes.
- When using the sat nav in auto day/night mode, it switched to night mode when we went through some shaded woods but did not switch back to day mode when sunlight returned. We had to resort to manually forcing it back to day mode. This feels like a software issue.
- Driving the car in twilight, the dipped beam did not seem as strong as on the MK3. At one point, we wondered if we simply had the running lights on. However, the Auto mode on the headlamps was showing we had dipped beam on. We'll do a test in full night mode at some point to see if things are better.
- We do miss the rotary climate controls from the MK3. Also, at night time, the hot/cold sensor controls below the infotainment screen do not light up.
- I have not found a way of manually adding icons to radio stations (e.g. Capital or Heart) that do not have them. Again, in the MK3, you could load icons manually.
Would welcome any thoughts/feedback on the above from other forum members.
Positives:
- Despite being on paper the same engine, the FR150 seems smoother in the MK4 than the MK3.
- Early signs are that the fuel consumption is also better on the MK4 (52mpg on a 30 mile mixed road trip)
- The Sat Nav is a considerable step up from the old.
- The media player and radio are also a step up in terms of functionality and ease of use.
Things that don't seem as good (at this point):
- Our largest "gripe" is the the Lane Assist function that was not present on the MK3. On country roads or on roads where a cycle lane is present it is a real pain if not a dangerous distraction. It kicks in too soon or misinterprets the lines in the road. On a number of occasions, I was driving around a bend and it twitched the steering wheel to indicate we were too close to the centre line when, in fact, we were a considerable margin away from it. Switching off the Lane Assist function brings a permanent warning sign onto the dashboard. I would like it configurable so you can specify a higher minimum speed that it commences working (e.g. 50mph) so that it mostly kicks in on dual carriageways etc.
- The seats in the MK4 FR do not seem as supportive as the seats in the MK3 (notwithstanding the presence of lumbar control)
- The front parking sensors do not seem anywhere near as sensitive than on the MK3. Getting someone to walk a foot away from the front of the car (with it engaged in first gear) does activate it so we know the sensors are operating. However, slowly driving towards objects when we're parking does not activate it. We'll likely get this checked out by our garage when lockdown finishes.
- When using the sat nav in auto day/night mode, it switched to night mode when we went through some shaded woods but did not switch back to day mode when sunlight returned. We had to resort to manually forcing it back to day mode. This feels like a software issue.
- Driving the car in twilight, the dipped beam did not seem as strong as on the MK3. At one point, we wondered if we simply had the running lights on. However, the Auto mode on the headlamps was showing we had dipped beam on. We'll do a test in full night mode at some point to see if things are better.
- We do miss the rotary climate controls from the MK3. Also, at night time, the hot/cold sensor controls below the infotainment screen do not light up.
- I have not found a way of manually adding icons to radio stations (e.g. Capital or Heart) that do not have them. Again, in the MK3, you could load icons manually.
Would welcome any thoughts/feedback on the above from other forum members.
