The 1.4TSi in the facelifted Octavias has 180+lb-ft of torque from quite low down in the rev range so it's quite a muscular engine.

Many posters here have cars with the 1.4 motor and report it goes very well and is economical. Obviously the 2 litre diesel will have more shove low down (250+lb-ft) but apparently the 1.4 isn't left wanting either.

I suppose the answer is to test-drive both engines and see which you prefer.

If you can stretch to a vRS, go for a petrol one - they go even better, and will still give 40 mpg on a long run. Absolutely great to drive - essentially a roomier, cheaper to buy and insure, Golf GTI.

If not, the 1.4 petrol will do fine. Two regulars on here have that engine in Superbs, and don't find them wanting in performance.

When the time comes to sell it, you may well find that a petrol will be worth more than the equivalent diesel. I'd still say that diesel makes sens in big cars which do a high annual mileage, but (partly becaue of the excellent economy from engines like the VAG 1.4 TSI) diesel is going out of favour big-time for medium and small cars.

The Sportage is painfully leisurely, especially when loaded or faced with an incline.

I suspect that driveability is the problem rather than absolute performance which looks more than adequate. Turbo diesels spoiled naturally aspirated engines for many people (and also got many into the habit of accelerating like a scalded cat despite using moderate rpms, something that a NA petrol doesn't do unless it's a big one.

Unless you are prepared to use the gears and the upper rev range, best stick with a turbo - petrol or diesel.

Personally I like the character and driving experience of a free revving unboosted petrol engine such as the one in my MX-5. But my everyday car is a diesel Outlander with more than 3 times the torque at less than half the revs.

I'm happy with my previous gen 1.4tsi (125ps) Skoda Superb II and the newer versions have much more power/torque.

I'm on holiday in the middle of France at the moment (with a car full of luggage, wine and confit de canard ) and am not finding it lacking. The only time you need to drop out of the rather tall 6th gear (2000rpm = 60mph) is on very steep inclines. Infact it tugs the bus along really well at 130kph speeds with plenty of pull available. Economy slightly hit with all this speed, weight and hilly stuff (in Dordogneshire at the mo) but it's only dropped from about 46 mpg to about 42mpg - can't complain considering the size of the car and the fact it drinks from the green nozzle.

The 1.4 tsi is very driveable as the pull starts lowish in the engine rev range (from 1500rpm) and bulds all the way up to 6000+ rpm. At motorway speeds the engine will be spinning at over 2300rpm so feels pretty responsive.

As previously mentioned - take one for a test drive