I have had seven automatic XTrails (new shape 1.6 diesel being my current model) - the Kodiaq Edition will be my first Skoda (hopefully in two weeks time - ordered February 2nd). The XTrail too had lag but when you get used to it everything was fine. My reason for changing, as stated in previous forum topics, is my uncertainty on the way that diesel engines are going to pan out with various threats of legislation.