Team-BHP - Skoda Superb : Official Review

Can I have a car with Skoda's design and Toyota's reliability? lol: I want to have the cake and eat it too.

I'm too impressed by the car. Even more by the value it offers. I think it redefines VFM, all though too most people don't have 30 big ones to realise that.

I don't think the TSI MT is going to sell much, especially considering how much our market has shown a tendency to buy Automatics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2!!! (Post 3958551)

However, in terms of absolute comfort, the Camry's rear seat which is more like a sofa is that much better. The Toyota also offers an adjustable backrest angle.

Surprising. :)

Why can't a new launch beat an old car?

Top class review. Always loved the way the car looks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2!!! (Post 3958547)

The Skoda Superb is on sale in India at a price of between Rs.23.83 - 30.85 lakhs (ex-Delhi).

What you won't:

• DSG is known for breakdowns. Old Superb's long-term reliability was overall poor
• Skoda's scary after-sales service. Dealer network doesn't understand customer service
• Diesel's price premium (over the petrol) is 3 lakhs on the road! That's unusually high
• Some product planning goof-ups (limited colours, no navigation, no diesel MT)
• Non-availability of diesel cars due to improper stock allocation. Be prepared to wait long

'What you won't' section mentions essentially generic Skoda issues therefore read it as compliment for the car itself.

By the same token, the badge it carries may prove a burden for it. I wish not, but will keep my fingers crossed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2!!! (Post 3958552)

The Laurin & Klement variants are equipped with four driving modes – ECO, Normal, Sport and Individual. No, this isn't just a gimmicky feature. It actually makes a difference. Four different parameters of the car - the steering, transmission, dynamic cornering lights and climate control - can be tuned to extract performance, efficiency or a combination of both. Internationally, the Skoda Superb gets an adaptive suspension too. In ECO mode, the transmission is more relaxed (lift off the throttle and the car coasts at a low rpm), the air-con compressor works lesser, the adaptive headlamps are deactivated and the start / stop system is activated. In Sport mode, the steering weighs up, the transmission is more aggressive and the adaptive headlamps are more sensitive to steering input. In 'Individual' mode, you can configure the 4 (steering, gearbox, cornering lights & air-con) individually.

Excellent Review, S2!!! I really enjoyed reading each line. Did you mention that only International market cars come with start / stop system or Indian version also come with it? Thanks.:)

Firstly, that's an awesome review S2, one of your best ones!

Coming to the car, this is simply a superb product by Skoda after quite some time and if Skoda could just handle their aftersales and reliability issues, this can be a runaway hit. The legroom is more than in my E-Class! Now that's something worth spending 30 big ones alone but this car offers SO much more; it's truly a compelling buy. The earlier Superb had a very 'chauffeured' feel to it, and it was awkward for owners to drive it themselves. Now that Skoda has designed it so proportionately yet beautifully, I bet many from the younger age bracket will be willing to buy this beast including myself.

If I were in the market looking at cars in this price bracket, I would straightaway pick the Superb over anything else, including A3, A4, Endeavour, CLA and the likes. Well done Skoda!

What a SUPERB review there, S2! Covers all the delicate details with enough information on the previous generations as well. Rated a truly deserved 5 stars! :)

At this price, the Superb is absolutely smashing value when compared to its current competition & the prospect expected in the near future as well. Had Skoda's after sales been ever so consistent & the car's reliability a bit better, it would have made for a truly remarkable segment benchmark. But I guess for a private customer going to buy & keep one out of his own money, it still remains a gamble.

But, if an MNC was looking to lease one out to provide to its senior management, this car should just be the last stop in their search.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYP (Post 3958861)

From the armrest design, it looks as if it is non-adjustable for length. Is it really that way? I guess not many people will use it then.

No, the armrest can't be adjusted for length. Be rest assured, it is usable and very comfortable for both the front occupants. Unless you sit really close to the steering wheel, you won't have any problem with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenixash (Post 3958899)

Excellent review, sighted this car yesterday in Black and it just looked majestic! It seemed to bounce excessively over a speed-breaker though, not sure if the driver took the bump too quickly or is vertical movement quite pronounced?

I actually felt this too and at times it did feel a little uncomfortable. I don't remember either the old Superb nor the Passat having this trait.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiku007 (Post 3958977)

How many man hours are spent for an review like this? From the time actually spent with the car, photography, taking rough notes, then penning them down up until publishing!

I won't be able to give you a number as there's a lot happening in-between. If you noticed, I did post a tiny review of this car immediately after the drive here. So if you see the date of that post and the review publish date that kinda explains it :)

Do check out this thread by GTO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fash_1 (Post 3959178)

What does this button on the headrest do? Noticed the same in the UK version of the Jazz too; is that the headrest height adjuster?

Very simply - it adjusts the head restraint up and down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by landcruiser123 (Post 3959368)

Surprising. :)

Why can't a new launch beat an old car?

That said, the back seat of the Superb can't even be remotely termed as uncomfortable. It's just that the Camry has a slight edge here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fstlndrive (Post 3959491)

Excellent Review, S2!!! I really enjoyed reading each line. Did you mention that only International market cars come with start / stop system or Indian version also come with it? Thanks.:)

I'll be honest here. The Superb India website mentions that the car comes with the start-stop feature but in the user manual it indicates that car's fitted with the start-stop feature have a dedicated button just above the 'auto hold button'. Since this button wasn't present in our test cars and I didn't experience the feature personally during the time I spent with the car, I'm afraid I won't be able to give you a confirmed answer.

Excellent Review S2!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovilkalai (Post 3959478)

This breaks the heart! I used to own a Laura and I told myself that I would upgrade to a Superb when the 3rd gen was launched. Alas! My service experiences were so poor that I got rid of my otherwise fine Laura to get myself an XUV5OO. And I can't imagine having to deal with these Skoda guys again. But, this car weakens that conviction. Why can't Skoda or VW get their service right? Even Mahindra is doing well with its XUV5OO customers. Does anyone have any insight into whether Skoda has turned a corner?

Exactly my situation, for long I dreamed of upgrading to next gen Superb some day, but now when the day arrives, I am scared to! Nothing wrong with the car, its awesome, nothing wrong with the reliability as well I am happy with my Skoda Laura, it's just the scary after sales support. They should rename them- Skoda Authorised Thugs. They have the reputation for a reason, and I can testify it is real.

Quote:

I am scared to! Nothing wrong with the car, its awesome, nothing wrong with the reliability as well I am happy with my Skoda Laura, it's just the scary after sales support. They should rename them- Skoda Authorised Thugs. They have the reputation for a reason, and I can testify it is real.

I wish i had the funds to set up a dealership to change this and make more people buy from that dealership. I am wondering if the dealers are equally pressurized to not provide customer support, warranty service etc and make life a living hell when something goes wrong for the customer. I mean Skoda not approving warranty claims, delaying parts and basically forcing them to look bad.

Lets hope Skoda reads some of these boards and makes some amends for they are losing potential customers.