Skoda Superb [2014-2016] User Reviews

First ever rant! Having the worst ever experience with Skoda. If you are thinking of car to buy, dont buy a Skoda! Bought a superb a few months ago, and have been disappointed from day 1.
(i) Car arrives 5 months after scheduled delivery.
(ii) The ride quality is terrible and the insides make a noise over bumps - the quality is really quite bad
(iii) The sun roof malfunctioned within the first fortnight - the insides and family got wet in the monsoons.
(iv) But what is the ...worst is the response from the company. Five escalations and visits to the dealer/company within 5 months. After all this, they tell me "Roads in Mumbai need to be better, and your driver needs to drive slower!" rather than listening to what I am saying.

Either my car has an issue or the Superb model - either way its not great! I am sure some people are happy with their Skoda's but if things go wrong, you are done for!

Exterior Understated styling, not the 'in-your-face' jarring appeal, very functional exterior features that don't come standard even with a Merc or a Beamer.  Not overly aerodynamic since you'll begin to feel the wind resistance drag over 200kmph.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) This is the best part of the car, you'll probably get similar interiors in cars over three times the price.  High quality leather seats, wide and comfortable, 4 axis electrically/ automatic adjustable seats (front), the rear has acres of room that tempt you to use a chauffer. You can feel the quality just sitting in one - truly superb!

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Highly refined engine, throws out 160 HP of power, meshed with an awesome DSG gearbox (7 speed), you could outrun any street car in a flash.  Thanks to the dual clutch mechanism you barely notice the up-shifts.  Downshifts are mindblowing when you need more power to overtake/ outrun someone on the road.  Though this looks like a relaxed banker's car meant to be chauffered around, it can suddenly transform into a driver's car and drag race anyone around.

Word of advice, go for petrol. It's silky smooth and more powerful. Mileage in city is an awesome 10, and the highways on an average of 16 if driven well.  Moreover, you'll not have a care in the world for fuel economy once you are inside the lap of luxury it has to offer - truly Superb!

Moreover, petrol fuel costs almost the same as diesel. And it's expected to come down. All that you gain out of the difference in fuel cost is lost in advance with the difference in the models.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality is comparable with the 5 series or the E class, definitely miles ahead of their smaller siblings.  Automatic DSG gear box has the option of regular and sport modes, and a manual mode. Paddle shifters add to the fun while racing - all standard equipment.

The only down-side being slightly higher body roll around high speed corners (trust me you'll not care).  Not to worry, ESP comes standard and handy if you lose the corner anyway.

Final Words The total hardware package is value for money, no doubts on that. Comes with problems associated with any big car - mainly with the electronics since they are not very tuned for Indian conditions. Safety comes standard with 8 airbags, ESP, EBD, et all.  Each part is meticulously crafted to offer you a fulfilling package.

Subsequently bought a 3 series for the wife and later a C class for myself, can't help imagining if I was taken for a sucker for having paid a high premium for lesser comfort and features!  I still have the Superb, though.

I've driven it for over 70,000 km and 6 years now (2009 model), and puts a smile in my face everytime I get into the car.

Don't fall for catalog features list of other cars; they are available in a Nano too these days.

Areas of improvement The servicing of these beasts seem to be the greatest challenge if you are not technically sound to grossly figure identifying the trouble yourself. The service advisors/ technicians are not really qualified/ sound enough handling high-end cars since most Indian companies don't really focus on this aspect and invest in training of quality personnel.

There's also the perennial problem of corruption among mechanics of the 'authorized' service centres, coupled with lack of technical knowledge, make you feel miserable for your purchase.  But that should not turn you off, since this is a common problem with any big car in India today.