1.4TSI ACT FR vs 1.8TSi FR

[Johnny Leon]

Looking at getting a new 5dr Leon, either the 1.8TSI FR or 1.4TSI ACT FR. Comparing specs and was slightly confused regarding suspension set-ups. Brochure says

"Rear suspension: Semi-rigid rear axle with coil springs and hydraulic dampers (engines 150PS and below) / Multi-link rear axle with coil springs and hydraulic dampers (engines 180PS and above"

and goes on to say

"FR (in addition to the SE trim) - Sports Suspension"

but from another thread I understand the rear suspension on a 1.4 ACT FR is just a lowered and stiffened version of semi-rigid axle, not the multi-link. Other obvious difference is brake size and engine performance/economy.

I'm coming from an A3 2.0TFSi (Mk1 Leon Cupra prior to that) so the (slightly) better performance of 1.8 is attractive for the £1k premium, but the (claimed) extra 12 mpg of the 1.4 can't be ignored.

Anyone had the same dilemma re which to go for, what did you choose and what swung it ?

I was initially looking at buying a 1 or 2 year old one but after comparing prices with what you can buy for new through a broker its a no-brainer.

Anyone going through process of purchasing either of these and how many weeks delivery are you being quoted ?

 

[trebor]

Best thing is to drive a car with each engine then make your mind up ... and get the 1.8

 

[Ecosseven]

I was tempted by the 1.4 but the difference in price between the 1.4 140PS (non ACT) engine and the 1.8 180PS was very small (around £300-400) when looking at cars around a year old. I ended up buying a 1.8 FR 5 door with tech pack and have no regrets so far.

As you have pointed out the 1.8 comes with the independent rear suspension and slightly larger brake disks.

 

[jcbmally]

Looking at getting a new 5dr Leon, either the 1.8TSI FR or 1.4TSI ACT FR. Comparing specs and was slightly confused regarding suspension set-ups. Brochure says

"Rear suspension: Semi-rigid rear axle with coil springs and hydraulic dampers (engines 150PS and below) / Multi-link rear axle with coil springs and hydraulic dampers (engines 180PS and above"

and goes on to say

"FR (in addition to the SE trim) - Sports Suspension"

but from another thread I understand the rear suspension on a 1.4 ACT FR is just a lowered and stiffened version of semi-rigid axle, not the multi-link. Other obvious difference is brake size and engine performance/economy.

I'm coming from an A3 2.0TFSi (Mk1 Leon Cupra prior to that) so the (slightly) better performance of 1.8 is attractive for the £1k premium, but the (claimed) extra 12 mpg of the 1.4 can't be ignored.

Anyone had the same dilemma re which to go for, what did you choose and what swung it ?

I was initially looking at buying a 1 or 2 year old one but after comparing prices with what you can buy for new through a broker its a no-brainer.

Anyone going through process of purchasing either of these and how many weeks delivery are you being quoted ?

1.8tsi has bigger brakes, multi link suspension, currently getting anywhere from 35 - 38 mpg knocking about, 44 - 48 mpg on a run. I have test drove the 1.4tsi and its good, cheaper tax and around 7mpg better (according to my mate). I love my 1.8tsi though and wouldn't change it for a 1.4tsi (got offered a good deal from the dealer but no ta !!)

 

[Craigr11]

I swayed between both too when buying. After test driving both I was happy with my 1.4. Fast enough, Cheaper and on a good run on the motorway getting 52-53mpg.




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[N77]

I have been really impressed with my 1.4 TSI FR since getting it, the power from the unit is really good from such a small size.

Power delivery is really smooth in sport mode and the ECO mode is very handy if you want to save a bit of fuel on the start stop kind of journeys.

I have just come across DTUK also that have a box to go on these cars that take the power upto around 184 so it has me thinking now

 

[Toon]

I had the same dilemma, went for the 1.8 in the end but both are good cars.

 

[KenTT]

I would try and drive both back to back, then analyse what is important to you.

For normal day to day use I don't think you are going to notice a marked difference between either.

Economy on the 1.4 is brilliant. Since my car is now run in, I'm now getting 46 - 50 mpg on my 6.5 mile daily commute and the road tax is nice and cheap too.

Try both

 

[surrealjam]

I think the torque figure is the same across the 1.4 tsi and the 1.8 tsi so the difference in real-life performance between the two is probably less than might be expected.

I would say it's as simple as this - are you more interested in performance or running costs? For me, I decided the difference in running costs between 1.4 and 1.8 did not outweigh the performance increase. That's why I opted for the 1.4... but if you can't stand knowing that if you spend a bit extra on tax, fuel and insurance then you'll have the fastest FR available then go for the 1.8

Having the DSG 1.8 might sway it too... that's both faster and more economical than the manual 1.8 and in turn even more powerful than the 1.4... I wouldn't swap the 1.4 manual for a 1.8 manual, but the 1.8 DSG is tempting.

 

[Mr Mustard]

I was initially looking at buying a 1 or 2 year old one but after comparing prices with what you can buy for new through a broker its a no-brainer.

The used prices vary wildly. I paid £14,800 for a year old (8000 miles) 1.8 FR 5dr DSG Tech Pack from a dealership.

I've seen same spec cars being advertised at over £17,000.

 

[Fred99]

I wouldn't swap the 1.4 manual for a 1.8 manual, but the 1.8 DSG is tempting.

It's just the odd marketing strategy by SEAT UK. In Spain, and most of Europe, the 1.4 ACT DSG is an option.

 

[Stagsfell]

Lead times - I ordered my 1.8TFSI mid November and it turned up mid January.

I drove both (and the 184 diesel) before going for the 1.8. Very impressed with the 1.4 and as others have said, performance wise there's not a lot in it up to 4000rpm or so but the 1.8 then keeps going. This can be useful when overtaking!

Have driven the 1.4 and 1.8 in other VAG models and in all cases got the impression that the 1.4 had a more aggressive throttle map ie it seemed more lively on small pedal movements. With the 1.8 I got the feeling there wasn't a lot more happening (even in "sport mode" ) until you really depress the pedal - then it goes!

Economy wise I was achieving 37 or so during running in but as the car has freed up this has improved to just over 40 ( but I seldom drive in towns).

I would say the 1.4 is a good compromise approaching diesel economy with petrol smoothness but if you want the extra top-end performance go for the 1.8 or if you are more interested in economy (and do a lot of mileage) look at a diesel.

The other consideration is the rear suspension. I was able to try both on some pretty poor surfaces and thought the multilink was definitely worth having, though this rules out the 1.4 and the 150 diesel. If you have good roads in your area, this is less of a factor.

 

[Johnny Leon]

Thanks for all the replies - good points and useful info.

jcb mally - interesting re the '7 mpg better', SEAT claim 12mpg better on combined but What Car's 'real mpg' for 1.4TSi ACT (in a Golf - they don't list it for Leon yet) is 41.7 (vs 58.9 claimed) whereas 1.8TSi is listed as 40.9 (vs 47.9 claimed) ?! Hard to know what to believe re these stats - people's real world experience much more useful.

Mr Mustard - sounds like you got a good deal. That's what I was hoping to find but haven't come across anything close so far.

Views on power delivery also useful. I'm always more interested in overtaking performance than 0-60, eg 30-50, 50-70 times that used to get published. Couldn't find any for these two engines but the comments help.

Coming from a 2.0TFSi and averaging low 30s mpg even the 1.8 should be a big improvement. I don't do big miles (9k/yr) and trip to work is <5 miles so diesel wouldn't make sense.

I'll be sticking with a manual - quite happy with this set-up and don't want to pay extra for DSG.

So, as suggested, think I need to find dealer who's got one of each to test back to back and compare re performance/suspension/brakes. If significant its probably the 1.8, if not its the 1.4.

Stagsfell - cheers for info re delivery time. If anyone else has ordered either recently let me know how you're getting on re delivery times.

 

[shadak]

re economy. If you got the DSG, coasting can do wonders. I can squeeze 47+ from 1.8T around town, I have to be extra slow mind you. Without DSG's eco mode I get 35 - 40.

Oh and last week I needed to slow down on a highway to wait for my brothers car for about 50kms, went 60mph and the milage was 60mpg.

So Id say 1.8 can be economical if you want it to be and its fast when you dont.

 

[Doug_m]

Got a 1.8 FR, getting 40-45mpg without trying. Thats just over 7500 miles now, just seems to be getting better...

The other half has a 1.4tfsi A1 122bhp i think, imo quite noisey and not that quick. Dont think she see's above 45mpg either.

 

[GrahamFR]

Got a 1.8 FR, getting 40-45mpg without trying. Thats just over 7500 miles now, just seems to be getting better...

The other half has a 1.4tfsi A1 122bhp i think, imo quite noisey and not that quick. Dont think she see's above 45mpg either.

the 122 is a previous gen engine config, may explain it.

If your main priority is mpg over power then the 150 is perfect. if you fancy a bit of power and maybe a cheeky remap in the future then the 1.8 is definitely the one you want imo.

 

[cptSparko]

My 180 FR ST really depends on traffic. 6mile commute through London can see 25mpg. Motorway run sees 40mpg. Every traffic light stop makes a difference! Fuelio average over 5000 miles is 31mpg.

 

[jcbmally]

jcb mally - interesting re the '7 mpg better', SEAT claim 12mpg better on combined but What Car's 'real mpg' for 1.4TSi ACT (in a Golf - they don't list it for Leon yet) is 41.7 (vs 58.9 claimed) whereas 1.8TSi is listed as 40.9 (vs 47.9 claimed) ?! Hard to know what to believe re these stats - people's real world experience much more useful

Just recently had my thermostat replaced and knocking about I'm getting a steady 38/39mpg.

Views on power delivery also useful. I'm always more interested in overtaking performance than 0-60, eg 30-50, 50-70 times that used to get published. Couldn't find any for these two engines but the comments help

Cant give you times but what I can say that the 1.4tsi runs out of puff a bit earlier in the rev range and the 1.8tsi keeps pulling to the red line. Overtaking is quite impressive IMO and I came from many years of diesel powered cars.
For performance comparison, I live near a piece of road with an incline (1/2 mile stretch) that has distinct features that can be used as reference points. A work colleague has a Cupra 280 that can achieve 115/120mph point to point and my 1.8tsi can achieve 90/95 so not to shabby.

I don't do big miles (9k/yr) and trip to work is <5 miles so diesel wouldn't make sense

Precisely why I went back to petrol, everyone will have their opinion on whether the 1.4 or 1.8 is best but as Tiff Needle of Fith Gear fame would say "the 1.8tsi wins because its faster"

 

[NBSmith78]

My 180 FR ST really depends on traffic. 6mile commute through London can see 25mpg. Motorway run sees 40mpg. Every traffic light stop makes a difference! Fuelio average over 5000 miles is 31mpg.

Have done similar mileage in my 1.4 ACT (150) FR ST. Motorway runs are 42-47mpg, and I'm averaging just over 41mpg overall. Nearly all journeys are fairly heavily laden, two adults, toddler and a boot load of stuff.

Although by no means super-quick, I've been really impressed with that little 1.4L engine - clever stuff!

 

[dvinell]

We drove both: in the end, Mrs V chose the 1.4 ACT for the economy and lower tax.

The midrange is the same on both engines: the 1.8T pulls more strongly beyond 4000rpm, plus the brakes are bigger.
I honestly couldn't tell the difference in the suspension setup, but maybe that was down to the roads we drove on.

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