She says, he says: Skoda Superb 162TSI
- First impressions: The new Skoda Superb
- Full details: 2016 Skoda Superb pricing and specifications
- Used review: The previous-gen Superb
He: Skoda has a new flagship. The third-generation Superb has landed with a mission to make people look beyond a relatively unknown badge and consider a car that isn't on many shortlists.
This is your first experience with a Skoda, what were your first impressions?
She: Well Dave, being a bit of a sports nut, I associate the Skoda Superb with the Tour De France. Skoda's been sponsoring the great race for over a decade and I've seen the Superb showcased throughout the Tour but this was my first time ever driving a Skoda and I must say, my first impression was good.
He: I like that Skoda has found its place from a design perspective. The previous Superbs were pragmatic if aesthetically challenged machines that would never win hearts on looks alone. But that could change with this generation, which has a crisp, almost crystalline design language that should help define the brand. Does it work for you?
She: It really does. Aesthetically, it's a really good looking car. It's quite sleek with nice angular lines. I like the new shape of the back, it matches the sporty design, unlike the previous model which was a bit rounder and bulkier at the rear. The interior's nice and clean and the leather seats add a touch of luxury. But one of my favourite aspects is the bohemian crystal in the headlights. It pays tribute to the brand's Czech heritage, so I like the inclusion of history and that it adds a bit of a feminine touch to a family car. Also, I do like the two umbrellas on both sides of the door, it's like a Rolls-Royce.
He: There really are plenty of clever touches throughout the car. It's a practical beast, thanks in part to one of the largest boots you will find in a new car. The sedan we're driving has a truly impressive 625 litres of storage space, plus plenty of cargo pockets and cubby holes throughout the cabin. The cleverness extends to technology such as self-braking, tyre monitoring and fatigue detection systems to keep you safe on the road.
What was your favourite gadget?
She: There are so many great gadgets and clever features about this car. I felt a bit like a kid in a candy store. If I had to pick my favourite, it would probably be the 8-inch infotainment screen, with sat nav and Apple CarPlay. Those safety features you mentioned tick all the boxes for me, and it has a five star EuroNCAP crash safety rating with nine air bags for protection. The safety camera is also really clear, especially at night.
This new Superb is the first to be fitted with an electronic parking brake and there's adaptive cruise control as well.
As you mentioned, the boot is gigantic - I also discovered it can be challenging for someone who's small in stature. Being just 160 centimetres tall, I had to physically climb into it to reach the anchor points to install the baby seat because my arms couldn't reach from the back! The high-opening tailgate was just out of reach and a bit heavy too, which is hard when handling small children.
He: I agree that the boot is a bit tricky – punters may want to plump for the powered tailgate option. Our model is the entry-level version, priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs in sedan form. Customers who want to build on that can add in a $1700 Image Pack with smart keys, 19-inch wheels, sports suspension and multiple drive modes, $1500 for a Comfort Pack with leather trim, ventilated seats and rear heated seats or $4700 for a Tech Pack that brings adaptive chassis control, self-parking, blind-spot detection and lane keeping assistance systems as well as a premium stereo and that powered boot.
Does it feel like good value?
She: It does. Personally, if I were to choose one, it would be with the Tech Pack, mostly for its safety features. I did find the side mirrors in the Superb a bit too small so the blind spot detection would be useful. Other features such as traffic jam assist can be useful in helping avoid a collision. The Emergency Assist is also really clever - it detects if a driver becomes incapable of driving and implements various safety measures, such as a warning sound, bringing the vehicle to a standstill and automatic activation of hazard lights. It's something you'd hope you wouldn't have to use, but it could potentially be a life-saving feature.
He: This model is fitted as standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 162kW of grunt - not a bad starting point for a car this size. But it also features a stop-start fuel saving system and dual-clutch transmission that can be a bit divisive. How did you find the powertrain?
She: For a big car I found it was relatively smooth to handle. It takes corners quite well and being able to adjust the steering wheel for height and reach makes it comfortable to drive. I did however find it a bit gluggy getting out of first gear, in particular when accelerating after stopping at a set of traffic lights. Personally I prefer manual transmissions, so I think the DSG gearbox took a bit of getting used to.
He: I agree that the car can be a little awkward at low speeds, but it's great on the move. It feels like a big car on the road, with a well-settled ride and stable handling that lends confidence in the car.
She: Most definitely. This would be the perfect car for big trips. In terms of comfort, luxury and safety. It's got plenty of leg room at the back, three-zone climate control, sun-shades, drink holders, a high tech multi-media system and tablet holder that can be used at the front or back. What I did find challenging about the Superb though was parking, especially at shopping centres. The reverse camera and sensors helped but I still found it really tight and the sensors were going crazy.
He: I like the Superb. It offers a taste of European refinement without breaking the bank, and it's a cool to drive something out of the ordinary. What's your verdict, does it deserve the "Superb" name?
She: I certainly like the European feel of the car and all the clever features. Given the model I drove was the entry-level version, my verdict would be more "great" than "Superb". Overall, I'd say: "really great".
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Skoda Superb 162TSI pricing and specifications:
Price: $39,990 plus on-road costs.
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 162kW at 6200rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1500-4400rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 6.4L/100km