It’s interesting to know why people search VW Tiguan vs Audi Q5 and VW Tiguan vs Skoda Yeti. Why compare a popular car with a prestige brand? Why compare a popular car with a value brand? In the past we’d have thought they’d want one or the other without considering both.
What’s changed is the buyer’s knowledge and how the Internet has improved this, like so:
- If we go back a few centuries only a few had knowledge and it was only of one thing but it was in-depth.
- Go back two decades and it was said a lot of people knew of a lot of things but knew little about any one thing.
The fact Internet users make comparisons like Tiguan, Q5, Yeti suggests people now know a lot more about things they’re interested in. How?
A searcher would need to have a depth of knowledge to connect a popular, prestige and value product. It’s not just the knowledge VW also make Skoda, Seat and Audi. They know these cars can share platforms or parts like engines, transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
Rather than flip from say VW Tiguan review to Skoda Yeti review they know car comparisons tell them both what they’re getting and what they’re not getting with each brand.
That sounds like a wised up buyer with a depth of knowledge to me to be enhanced by their further research.
Just a quick look over these models and we expect the prices differences. As we move up the price ranges they have stronger styles more bulk suggesting bigger engines under the bonnets.
When we examine the detail:
Skoda Yeti Review 4.22m long, 416/1760l min/max load space
1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 petrol engines. 1.6 and 2.0 diesel.
VW Tiguan Review 4.43m long, 430/1510 min/max load space
1.4 and 2.0 petrol, 2.0 diesel.
Audi Q5 Review 4.63m long, 540/1560 min/max load space.
2.0 or 3.2 petrol, 2.0 or 3.0 diesel.
So why do people make further evaluations given the differences in brand equity, dimensions and engine sizes support ideas of value and quality?
The only similarities is they all have 2.0 diesel engine options. The Tiguan and Q5 have 2.0 petrol options, the Yeti is 1.8.
The Yeti 2.0 diesel has 110, 140 and 170 power outputs
The Tiguan 140 and 170.
The Q5 is 143 and 170.
Performance figures are similar. Combined mpg and CO2s favour the cheaper cars.
The Yeti 1.8 has a 160 power output.
The Tiguan 2.0 petrol is 170 and 200.
The Audi 180 and 211.
Engine efficiency figures are similar.
So researching buyers can find similarities in some engine options and dismiss small differences as insignificant. They can also dismiss differences in size and style if they wish and focus on price.
There are differences in style, prestige and comfort but they’re matters of personal taste. The question is will the buyer spend their money in exchange for these features or keep their money and settle for what they must see as substitutes.
I suppose the main idea is you have choice and you can substitute a Q5 with a Tiguan which can be substituted with a Yeti. The big change is buyers decide to make these comparisons themselves and can do so quickly and easily on the internet.
The differences in prices between an Audi, VW and Skoda are very significant. It will be interesting to see if buyers’ product knowledge and buying decisions put the differences under pressure.
Regards
Ralph
