[save_ioniq5]

I have been following the forum from quite a long time and somehow was missing the automotive experience from Western Europe [Especially Netherlands] where I am based from last 10 years] from an Indian perspective and hence thought would like to add value by sharing my automotive experience as an enthusiast from an Indian perspective. Hence, my first post could get a bit long recounting my auto experience. So please feel free to ask for more technical details of the cars mentioned below and I will be more than happy to help.

I kind of was surprised myself how my narrow perspective about cars changed over the time by living in in the Netherlands and started liking the B and C segment hatchback and specially became more appreciative of the “estate/station wagon versions” when I started using one now and I feel they are the most practical segment of cars around. This makes me wonder why these wouldn’t have worked especially in India.

This acquaintance of B&C segment started when I started taking driving lessons in 2019 here in the older base version of VW polo and some lessons in VW Golf MK7 version and I just loved how easy it drove and handled to the fact that as a learner i never had problems with the clutch management in the VW Golf MK7 version which is typical of a new learner. Just for curiosity why I learned in two cars is because it took me a good more than one full year to pass the dutch driving license test with more than a couple of attempts of the theory test and a good 5 attempts to pass the practical exam. I still do not dare to total up the amount of money I spent in getting my driver license in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, I realize the value of learning “proper driving” now that I drive more and more in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and all the way upto Denmark. And of course, all of this is nullified when I drive back home in Mumbai in my Tata Nexon.

All things said and done owning a car in Netherlands is still an expensive thing and especially as car enthusiast when the wishlist is long. So instead, I rented cars as and when needed and test drove which I couldn’t rent and hence covered the maximum of B&C segment hatchbacks and I remember each of them vividly in terms of experience.

VW Up, New VW Polo, VW Golf [MK-8], Opel Astra, Opel Corsa, [2017-2021 model], Peugoet 208, Peugoet e-208 [current versions], Citroen C3, Citroen e-C4 [current versions], Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus Station wagon, Seat Leon [current version], Toyota Yaris hybrid, Toyota Corolla hybrid, Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Mercedes A-class, Volvo V60 and Opel Mokka. [However, I wouldn’t call Volvo V60 and Opel Mokka as a B or C segment]
And to pick the best one keeping the bias for VW Golf aside are the Ford Focus and Seat Leon. Both are an absolute joy in terms of handling, comfort, and ride quality. Thinking back even I am surprised at how I broke my common stereotypes [As usual VW, BMW, Audi, Mercedes] of picking a Ford Focus or a Seat Leone as a favorite which I wouldn’t have hardly known otherwise.

This was all till recently when I was lucky enough to land a job with a company lease car possibility and had fully made up my mind to chose Audi A3 over VW Golf-8 after finding out that both models were almost on par in terms of price [Although I believe Seat Leone offers more value at a slightly less price in terms of engine size and trim level and Ford Focus is mostly discontinued from the EU market] till the Electrification clause came in the picture. So I took some time and finally made up my mind for EV and didn’t think twice before going for the Ioniq-5 which is on 9 months lead time. [EVs still have a slight advantage over ICE cars due to the tax benefits in the Netherlands].

So till I wait for the new Ioniq-5 I am very happy with my current driver from past 1 year which is the Skoda Octavia 2019 station wagon version 1.0TSI 118hp Manual Transmission. That’s when I started liking the station wagons because what skoda Octavia offers is just more and more space. That makes it extremely practical and economical to use..

[Jeroen]

Good to hear from another member in the Netherlands! We have a few members living in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and so on.

Yes, getting your driving license in the Netherlands is an expensive affair! Good thing you persevered.

I had not given it much thought, but yes, why are there no stations wagons in India. I have had a few over the years. Of course, they are practical, especially if you have a family or run a business. But for instance, I had an Audi A4 estate and I always thought it better looking than the sedan version.

Looking forward to be hearing more about your Dutch adventures.
Jeroen

[RahulNagaraj]

Hello save_ioniq5

Welcome to the forum, its great to have you onboard!

I completely agree, the station wagons/estate are probably the most practical segment of cars; It's sad to see they didn't work in the Indian market.

Originally Posted by save_ioniq5

VW Up, New VW Polo, VW Golf [MK-8], Opel Astra, Opel Corsa, [2017-2021 model], Peugoet 208, Peugoet e-208 [current versions], Citroen C3, Citroen e-C4 [current versions], Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus Station wagon, Seat Leon [current version], Toyota Yaris hybrid, Toyota Corolla hybrid, Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Mercedes A-class, Volvo V60 and Opel Mokka. [However, I wouldn’t call Volvo V60 and Opel Mokka as a B or C segment]

That's quite a long list of cars you've managed to experience, would be fun to know about some of them in more detail.

As a guy who drives a 2019 Octavia 1.8 TSI in India, would love to read more about your 1.0-litre Octavia station wagon. Do share a few pictures of the car as well, if possible.

The Ioniq 5, I feel, is probably among the best EVs in its category. Looking forward to your updates on the car, its delivery and experience.

See you on the forum.

Cheers
Rahul N

[save_ioniq5]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Good to hear from another member in the Netherlands! We have a few members living in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and so on.

Yes, getting your driving license in the Netherlands is an expensive affair! Good thing you persevered.

I had not given it much thought, but yes, why are there no stations wagons in India. I have had a few over the years. Of course, they are practical, especially if you have a family or run a business. But for instance, I had an Audi A4 estate and I always thought it better looking than the sedan version.

Looking forward to be hearing more about your Dutch adventures.
Jeroen

Thanks Jeroen.. Hope to hear from your experiences driving in NL too...And yes Audi A4 is a premium segment and in general i can imagine the estate version of A4 is more popular around here in NL..

[save_ioniq5]

Hi Rahul,

Much appreciated your reply. I look forward to share car and learn more about car experiences here.

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

Hello save_ioniq5

Welcome to the forum, its great to have you onboard!

That's quite a long list of cars you've managed to experience, would be fun to know about some of them in more detail.

Sharing about all the cars will call for another long post. But in general to summarize, i never planned for such a experience. Here in the Netherlands after getting my driver's license i was lucky enough to find a friendly rental place which catered to what i asked for the weekend drives and trips and the rest [Merc A class, Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Peugoet e-208 and Citroen-EC4 were test drives].

In general my experience based on my driving style which is very relaxed and not at all on the sportier side, the B segment cars with entry level engines like VW polo [1.0tsi 70kW 95hp] or Pevgoet 208 [55kW 75hp] with 5 speed MT weren't the best experiences and felt underpowered especially on highways at 100km/hr. I especially enjoyed the Seat Leone FR Sport edition 1.5eTSI 150hp DSG transmission which i requested from the rental agency 2 twice and used it also for house moving. It was comfortable, great handling and 1.5eTSI 150hp is more than sufficient to drive in the Netherlands. Here are some pictures of it.







That's when i had the chance to order a new lease car earlier this year i had decided to pick Audi A3 with an engine choice of 1.5eTSI 150hp until i had to defer for the EV.

Here are the photos from the A3 and Golf-8 test drives;

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

As a guy who drives a 2019 Octavia 1.8 TSI in India, would love to read more about your 1.0-litre Octavia station wagon. Do share a few pictures of the car as well, if possible.

I started using the Skoda Octavia 1.0TSI 118hp from September 2022. At that time, it had 90,000km and the built year is 2019. So it is the one older version i guess than the current one sold in EU i guess. Over the time i just love the practicality of it. Its easy on the handling and comfortable to drive upto 100km/hr which i do most of the time during my office commute which is almost 100Km of highways. The suspension is ok since i feel the road unevenness slightly mostly on the highways at 100km/hr. I feel the engine is most comfortable at 2000rpm and to push upto 120-125km/hr [during evening after 7:00pm when that's the speed limit] it needs some effort on the accelerator and isn't that smooth past 2000 rpm. Also then the road/tyre noise is significant and the steering also feels too light hence needs that extra bit of attention. Hence, as i said earlier i would pick the 1.5eTSI VW engine over the 1.0TSI.

But in general overall i am extremely happy with it to use as a daily driver. The boot space is great and it fitted in a lot of heavy stuff from IKEA.

Here are few pictures of it.



Picture of the boot;



So in 1 year i have clocked around 18,000 kms which mostly includes weekly one or twice office commutes [115km one way so 230km per office trip].



Overall, very happy with it and would always be special since its my first car. Hope to enjoy for next two months till i have it.

Excited to hear from your experience about the Skoda Octavia 1.8TSI which apparently this engine option is not available here.

Regards,

Nishant