Superb by name, superb by nature
Model Tested:
- 2009 Skoda Superb; 3.6-litre V6 petrol AWD; six-speed DSG; four door sedan – $56,990*
Options:
- Metallic Paint $990
Space, power, sound, interior, smoothness, ride/handling balance
Fuel tank size, awkward styling
CarAdvice Rating: 
With the size of the country we live in, it’s no wonder we’ve become accustomed to large cars. Decades of spacious sedans means we are always comparing a new car’s introduction to market by how much space it has. You can hear the fanboys in the background: “It’s not quite as roomy as a Commodore.” Or even, “The back seat is nowhere near as big as a Falcon’s.”
Space may be the final frontier, but Skoda’s Superb is up to the challenge. From the outside, it only looks like a medium sized car. Photographs belie its proportions, except for the dead side-on profile, which hints at its overall length. The Superb doesn’t really give away its secret until you walk closer and open the doors; the size of this car then begins to make perfect sense.
Shout inside the interior and you may hear an echo – it is that spacious. It is slightly on the narrow side in terms of absolute width, but leg, head and foot room all more than make up for it. More than anything, the rear seats are the most impressive. In Skoda’s Octavia, the rear seats are quite flat and hard, but the Superb is the complete opposite. There’s more shaping for the outside two seats, as well as softer cushioning. Its rear leg room is seriously lounge-room-like, plus there’s rear outboard seat heaters as standard on the V6 Elegance model we tested.
As if that’s not enough room, the boot has some seriously good space, too. There’s a massive 565 litres of space with the seats upright, but drop them and a colossal 1670 litres becomes available. The Superb debuted Skoda’s patented Twin-Door feature, which turns a regular boot lid into a hatch-back at the touch of a button, and increases practicality enormously, especially for loading and unloading long pieces of luggage.
By pressing the regular boot release, the first hinge allows a normal action where just the boot lid opens. There’s a second button to the right – touch that, and there’s a whirring and clicking, after which the boot lid is locked to the rear glass, and you can then open the entire hatch as a one piece assembly. It may seem like a gimmick, but it isn’t. It’s an appreciated, thoughtful touch.
The quality of the cabin is also without fault, with a beautiful flowing dash, soft leather, woodgrain that doesn’t look old and outdated, and chrome highlights dotted about the place. It feels very VW, as you’d expect (Skoda being owned by Volkswagen), with plenty of familiar switchgear and instrumentation. The solid ‘thunk’ when you close the doors cements the impression of quality.
Under the bonnet lies a lusty 3.6-litre V6, making 191kW and a solid 350Nm. Maximum torque happens fairly high up (2500rpm) but stretches to 5000rpm, near to where peak power is made at 6000rpm. It means that there’s a fair spread of torque, which gets you off the line, and the power carries it through the rev range.
It’s an extremely flexible engine, which pulls very hard from just over 3000rpm and keeps pulling right up until its upshift at 6500rpm. The sound is also throaty and rorty, without being overly loud – it’s brilliant.
Even the DSG, which in some drivetrains can lag a bit off the line, takes up cleanly, and doesn’t complain about full throttle, pedal stomping launches. Given its penchant for quick and early upshifts, it not only feels seamless, but also contributes to good fuel economy. An ADR certified 10.2-litres/100km of 95RON is certainly achievable, although with a heavy right foot, that could climb into the teens. This is despite a car which has the power to propel it from 0-100km/h in just 6.5 seconds. Holden needs a 6.0-litre V8 in its Calais to better this, while Chrysler’s 300C with the 5.7-litre Hemi V8, by comparison, does the same dash in 6.8 seconds. The only six-cylinder to rival it is Ford’s G6E, but it needs to be turbocharged to be ahead, and then it uses more fuel.
If there was a criticism, it would be the size of the Superb’s fuel tank. For such a large car, with such a cargo capacity, you really need something a bit bigger than 60 litres. For example, all its rivals have tank sizes of 70 litres or larger, giving them a range advantage before you even get to the economy side of things. To be fair, there is a diesel variant, but in this country of big sixes, 60 litres doesn’t cut it.
However the ride does. The Superb V6 Elegance is all-wheel-drive, and to put the extra drive to good use, the Superb is endowed with excellent grip. Often that comes at the expense of the ride, which can be stiff and brittle. Not so, in this case. There’s firmness, yes, but the suspension has enough give to keep passengers from rattling their teeth. It’s an excellent trade-off between a compliant ride and supreme road-holding, considering it runs on 18-inch hoops.
On turn in, there’s a little push from the nose, probably because of the length of the car, being all-wheel-drive and the fact that the engine is so far forward. The steering has enough weight, not a whole lot of real feel, but responds politely when asked to switch directions quickly. Braking is also a little over-assisted, but learn to begin with a light foot and it’s easy to get used to.
Skoda has done a (ahem) superb job with this car. Price-wise, it’s a little up there when fitted with the V6 ($56,990), but when you consider the same space and refinement attributes are available with the base model, $42,990 doesn’t seem that bad after all. However for the driving enthusiast, the V6 is a refined, roomy and grunty option which deserves its place in Australia’s large car market. Perfect for racking up the kays across our vast country, an unlimited kilometer, 3 year warranty is the icing on the cake.
For those who can’t quite get past the slightly odd styling, wait until you see the wagon version. Even more space, and better looking? It’s a win-win.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Road Test the Rivals:
Specifications:
- Engine: 3.6-litre V6
- Power: 191kW @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 350Nm @ 2500-5000rpm
- Induction: Direct injection
- Transmission: Six speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)
- Driven Wheels: All
- Brakes: Vented discs with single piston caliper (f&r)
- Top Speed: 250km/h
- 0-100km/h: 6.5 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 243g/km
- Fuel Consumption: (ADR) 10.2 litres/100km
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
- Fuel Type: 95RON
- ANCAP Rating: Five stars
- Airbags: Nine
- Safety: ABS, EBD, BA, TC, ESC
- Spare Wheel: Space saver
- Suspension: MacPherson suspension with lower triangular links and torsion stabiliser (front), Multi-element axle, with one longitudinal and three transverse links, with torsion stabiliser (rear)
- Cargo Capacity: 565 litres (rear seats up), 1670 litres (rear seats down)
- Tow Capacity: 700kg (unbraked), 1500kg (braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
- Warranty: 3 year/unlimited
- Weight: 1805kg
- Wheels: 225/40 R18
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The usual suspects. A twelve year old could give better informed comments, and as for the avatars view the United States of Tara.
Gee Will not feeling happy today?? Please note that apart from my own personal view on the looks of the car I actually didn’t state anything negative about it :-)
Oh and lighten up dude have a smile once in a while… there is no need to tae offence to everything :-)
7/ Fun to drive home but you dont want your mates to see you in it!
And brilliant car, i love the interiors and sense of quality too them
The styling isnt even awkward imo, go see a recent Citreon and Renault for awkward. If anything, its just annonymous. Its hard to say the car has any styling. It looks like what a 12 year old would draw if you asked them to draw a typical sedan, its just A car.
There are many cars that do specific things better, but not many that achieve such a wide range of things. Well done Skoda. The pricing is my hesitation. Closer to 50k and it would be sold. I wonder how hard they can be pushed on price.
When is the wagon due?
Another admiring review of a Skoda. Makes you wonder why people hate them so much. I think it is because they are different, genuinely luxurious for the money, and have supreme quality, which is more than I can say of the local offerings. Sure a G6E Turbo or a Calais has more performance, but I’d rather have the compromise of less performance, over nicer interior (which is where we spend our time anyway!) and refinement. Sure the Superb is ugly, but then again, maybe I just won’t look at it and slide straight inside?
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The thing is (and this has been a long proven fact) that a large part of the buying decision with a new car “is the how will this make me look?”. You’d be surprised how important that simple thought is. Why do people buy cars of different colours, Imean white is easy to maintain and repair and hides the scratches?? Because the other colours make them look better.. both in their mind and the minds of their peers and friends.
Driving something like a Skoda or a Citroen or such makes you look a little strange, eccentric, or just being different for the sake of it. The average Joe has a huge dislike to having to explain his actions to everyone he meets.
Buy a Toyota and you bought a sensible reliable but boring car, a Holden and it’s a well known brand name if a little un adventurous (except of SS etc) but patriotic. Hyundai Kia mean either you are cheap, or smart at buying a lot of car for the dollars… BAdge cars like M/Benz or BMW means you have money (or the ability to lease) and you want people to know it, Audi and Lexus you have the same Money but don’t consider yourself a wayne kerr like the BMW driver…
THis is the problem faced by all of these smaller (volume and heritage brands local market speaking)
Love the idea of a boot/hatch opening!
Agree it looks like a car grandad would buy.
Just wondering…
How many people jump in their falcons and commodores and do the 0-100kmh sprint in under 7 seconds?
Anyone in any late model six-speed Falcon, and anyone in a V8 Commodore.
I’m struggling to comprehend the Superb’s 0-100 figures, though. ZF six-speed in an BF/FG Falcon with slightly more power and a bit more torque, and weighs less than the Superb can’t match the Superb’s sprint times? Something doesn’t add up (though it’s probably me missing something obvious)…
It’s because the Superb has a DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) which is actually the workings of a traditional manual gearbox, split over two computer-controlled clutches (that is, 1, 3 and 5 on clutch one, the other gears 2, 4 and 6 on clutch two). They shift gears by swapping clutches. Gearchanges are incredibly fast and there’s no lag since there’s no torque converter. Take one for a drive (they’re found in some Skoda and VW cars) and you’ll see why the acceleration figures are so good. I’ll never buy anything else now after owning one!
I also suspect the fast 0-100 time has something to do with the all-wheel drive – something all our local cars miss out on. It is winning formula for the Japanese hot hatches – lower power-weight than the V8′s (well, used to be) but much quicker off the line.
Yeah, thanks gents. Traction was something I hadn’t considered – I really thought that having the AWD system would be a negative (power sapping drive train losses).
I’ll have to drive something with one of those DSGs – sound like they have them pretty much sorted to be the perfect comprominse between manual & auto!
Looks like a great effort by Skoda. A perfect balance for its intended market. I agree Frenchie, the split boot is a great idea.
Tom21, if you think you can get fuel economy in the 9′s in an SV6…good luck. You want to talk about bias…Wheels is extremely biased towards Holden.
Of course they are…that’s why they recently placed the Ford GS over the SSV GXP.
Isn’t this urban myth about Wheels’ supposed Holden bias getting a little long in the tooth? yawn
A fantastic family machine with the product line well rounded with the release of the combi version next year. Congratulations Skoda, you have out gunned the locals at their own formula.
I’m not sure about the styling on this one. A bit bland, but I reckon it’s a decent car overall.
Its the rear tail light cluster that crucifies it for me. The front I dont mind so much.
It will make a good Hire Car (not rental) i guess.
60 Litre tank won’t make the drivers happy though.
What’s with the $990 charge for metallic paint? What metal are they using in the paint – gold?
The Superb sounds very interesting – love the big hatchback idea, like the Rover SD1 – but I’m still waiting for Skoda to release a car here that I can actually afford (thinking Fabia).
This car is very really under rated on the local market and deserves lots of success.
I would much rather have this than a falcadore
Might be a great drive, but the gawky looks will put most potential buyers off.
The Combi version is my pick, and should sort out the problem of gawky looks.
got all the invisible features but just a really unattractive car and a bit overpriced, c’mon skoda hire a better designer out there and get rid of that grill
It’s still more attractive than the previous generation Camry. Design-illiterate government departments and grey-rinsed Verns and Shirleys bought two and a half thousand of the things a month. I’m still perplexed after all this time.
Spot on golfpig the camrys and aurions have always been blanddddddddddd , and no aurion can achieve 6.5 secs ,total rubbish unless you are refering to the supercharged wrist wrenching model thats now in car heaven.
How do you justify your observation that the Superb is “overpriced” when compared to the local offerings? I’d love to hear your perspective on this.
0-100 in 6.5 secs. not bad… But a stock standard Aurion could probably match that, so its really nothing to write home about.
Looks are bland, but i love the interior.
2007 Aurion – 0-100 (km/h) – 7.42 sec??
Nope – driven the Aurion and it really struggles to get power down. I’d be surprised if it could get into the sixes, let alone mid sixes! Maybe with stickier tyres it could, but not the OEM ones…
You need to double check your pricing – All Skodas had price reductions on 1 December 2009. You can now get a Superb for 39,990 + ORC
Oh; I thought that the dealers gave you $39,990 to take a Skoda off of their hands….
well until CA got off its a$$ and started cleaning up the troll festival on here the skoda dealers where too busy clogging every comments section on here.
seen them down to low $30s to clear them out in bris
probably finished off the 2007 stock now
Wow what dealership was that? If you can let me know I will give them a ring tomorrow.
There’s only a handful of Skoda dealerships left in Australia Jon.. so it shouldn’t take you that long to find out which one it was
it was a print ad in brisbane about 3 months ago. must only be one dealer in brisbane for such a small volume company
A far superior car to what the Aussies offer. I mean the Aussies really aren`t in the same league at all.
I must admit that the double action bootlid/tailgate is pretty cool however; its more of a gimmicky thing to try and take customers attention away from the “Chris Bangle” styling
hahaha good one…thats a joke right.Shall I remind you AGAIN of the winner of the BIG Car comparison test here on CA ?
Ford Falcon G6E final point score 4.42
Skoda final point score 4.10 .
FAIL!
So how did that go again ,no Aussie car can compare…..yeah rightio !
Its the final score that matters, not picking bits out of each score to suit your argument . G6E is the better car and that’s not just my opinion !
Wow, it’s united states of sara using here real nickname for once!!
The Skoda is still a much better built vehicle that easily out steers and out handles the falcon!! If it wasn’t for the aussie protectionism causing the price hike on the Skoda, the Skoda would have totally killed it!!
Jon is right, those cars aren’t on par!! The falcon has only it’s power and price going for it!! Nothing else!!
Tomas: if you refer to the Table from the large Car Comparison – you will see that whilst your beloved Skoda beat the Falcon in terms of handling.. The Falcon beat it in other areas..
But as usual you refer to a particular source and pick out selected parts of the article that support your poorly founded argument.. but choose to ignore it when it doesn’t.
Im a Holden fan and even i can tell that the Falcon is the better car, and definetly better than the Skoda in most regards.
I too am a Holden Fan.. yet despite that I would have a Falcon XR6; XR6-T or F6 over any of the 6cyl Commodores. [the V8s are another matter]
Lol, When it comes to Falcadores, Shak + Wheelnut = 2 bogans + 1 cup!!
Sorry Shak, but i have read too many of your pro-falcadore rubbish, to take your ill-informed opinion seriously!!
Wheelnut, the Skoda’s only significant draw back is it’s local pricing…
But Luckily i can afford it, so that is a small price to pay for a better built, better handling, better looking and internationally acclaimed vehicle!!!
Guess which cars won the Best Drive Best Value Medium Car, Best Drive Best Value Large Car categories at another Australian site?!!
Tom-assumes says: “Guess which cars won the Best Drive Best Value Medium Car, Best Drive Best Value Large Car categories at another Australian site?” – Let me guess would it be a Skoda
and I suspect that its a website that Other people on this site have referred to on other topics – but you discredited because the article on that site didn’t support your argument..
Yet because on this occasion they have said something positive about your beloved Skoda; the site has somehow regained its credibility.
Please Wheelnut, Stop with those stupid lies, or show me where i have ever discredited that site?
Plus they didn`t test in the wet either, so the result would be much different if wet weather conditions were part of the test. Tomas79 is right the only thing the Falcon has going for it is its power, but I mean anyone can attach a Turbo to a motor.
Okay Jon; let’s whack a turbo on the Skoda and see if they can get 1200-1300hp out of it like Nispro can out of the Inline 6 cyl Falcon.
Well no use guessing weather they can or can`t. Seeing that no one has tried, its abit stupid to assume what one can or can`t do.
Jon you just said that anyone can whack a Turbo on a Motor…
A number of Euro Tuners have whacked Turbos on to various VWs and Audis – So why hasn’t anyone whacked a Turbo on a Skoda?
because they can’t extract enough grunt? Whereas the Falcons I6 is much more flexible and reliable etc
I dare say the Falcon motor your referring to isn`t full of stock standard parts, so whats your point? And as I said anyone can attach a Turbo and they do, I wasn`t saying that as a bad thing. The shameful thing for the Aussies is that a 191KW Skoda weighing 1805kg`s can manage 0-100km in 6.5 sec and it takes a V8 or a Turbo6 to beat it. If I owned a Commodore or a Falcon I`d feel ripped off, ah well they really are just all show. There is no use having all that power if you can`t get it to the ground, its kind of like being well endowed but impotent really, all show but no go.
http://germancarscene.com/2007.....assat-r36/
This is freakin scary!
Correct me if I am wrong – don’t bother I’m not but the last time I checked Holden and Ford don’t make a $60K AWD Sedan.. so what Locally built AWD are you comparing this to?
$56K is overpriced for a Skoda particularly when you consider that its more of an “entry level” to the Volkswagen Group.
I mean for another 10k you can get an AWD VW R32 Golf or Audi S3. Which are alot more fun to drive than this.
Thanks for that, as you have just stated by pointing out they don`t have AWD, so you aren`t wrong for a change. So I guess you do agree it is superior to the locals.
NO – I’m not saying that its superior to the Locals because the locals don;t have a $56k Sedan to compare it to… Just because its AWD or because its imported doesn’t mean that its superior. to its rivals – and the Commodore and Falcon aren’t direct rivals.
As i said before AWD RWD and FWD cars have different characteristics and therefore; perform/handle differently.. they all have certain advantages/disadvantages
Yeah they do a Calais V 60th anniversary with the 3.6, with 195kw and weighing only 1780kg and it only manages 0-100km in 7.25 sec. I told you the Skoada is superior.
Firstly does the Skoda really achieve 6.5 secs, or is that just its text book figure.
6.5secs isnt bad for its engine stats and weight.
Secondly, its point bugger all quicker than a Falcon, and the Skoda has direct injection tech and quite a bit more expensive.
If speed is your true aim in life the XR6T will blow this on speed, and still be cheaper
Oh, and I see the Skoda uses 95 octane fuel…..
Well I hardly consider the Skoda`s time of 6.5 sec compared to the Falcon`s 7.1 sec as being point bugger all, its point 6 actually. The bottom line is, its quicker and that is all there is to it. Put 95 in the Falcon and you still won`t produce a 6.5 sec time.
But the Calais isn’t AWD like the Skoda in this article or the Large Car Comaprison is though is it Jon?
However; if you want to get like that then Jon; A Holden that costs as much as the $56K Skoda is a Maloo which would probably beat the Skoda – if not be alot more fun to drive
And the XR6T is quicker than all of them, thats also all there is to that……
Clap, Clap for another Wheelnut Classic Village/Forum idiot comment…
Telling us that Skoda Superb isn’t a competitor to Falcons and Commodores/Calais (As it is compared to in most publications) but a competitor to much smaller Golf and Audi s3 vehicles!!
Well done Retard!!
Whhelnut,
You can`t compare apples and lemons I mean with the Skoda being an apple and the others being Lemons. I be fair and compare cars of similar power and price and Wheelnut you still can`t stand the thought of a Skoda as being Superior to the Calais, the last time I checked the RRP of a Calais V 3.6 was $56,790 so its a direct competitor for the Skoda and its slower and less equipped.I can`t help it Holden aren`t capable of an AWD car, I mean they have tried and failed and imagine how much dearer and slower it would be then.
Andrew M,
Isn`t the G6E Turbo quicker than XR6 Turbo anyway? So it should be considering it has 270kw and 533Nm, imagine how quick the Skoda would be with that power and Torque. I mean think about it, an R36 and Passat CC with 22Okw does 0-100km in 5.6 sec with out resorting to using a Turbo. So Imagine if either the VW`s or the Skoda had 270 KW`s, now that would make the Aussies look even worse than they already do. I guess the Skoda really is Superior considering how well it performs with the power it has, wouldn`t you agree?
Anyone can build an AWD car Jon – just as anyone can whack a turbo on a motor.. Including Holden.. but why would they? when their customers don’t partiuclarly want an AWD Sedan they prefer RWD.. just like BMW and Merc-Benz as the extra weight of AWD detracts from the performance of the car
I mean look how popular the AWD Magna was….n’t
Tomas the car in this article and the one in the “Claytons” Large Car Comparison CA did a last yearl is AWD is it not ?
and the Calais and the Falcon are RWD aren’t they?
Therefore based on their driveline layout they aren’t really direct rivals as its the way the power is delivered that influences how a car performs and handles how it carries its weight how it stops etc.
I guess it all depends on your perspective and what cars you regard as being in a particular class or what criteria you are using to make comparisons
I personally don’t regard the Skoda as a direct rival to the Commodore because of its driveline AWD/FWD v RWD
If the Skoda was RWD or the Commodore was FWD it would be different as their fundamental characteristics would be the same.
Wheelnut, the customers have no choice in the matter they don`t do an AWD Commodore. But considering that most Commodore`s are sold as fleet hacks I guess there really isn`t a need. I`m not sure Audi/VW/ Lambo would agree with you on AWD, but I`m guessing you know better than them. But with what you say in many of your comments on here, I`m not sure too many would agree with you.
No Wheelnut, these are large cars, they are classed per size and function….
Their drive train for this function is as relevant as the light globes they use!!
For the Millionth time, it’s not Skoda’s fault, that the falcadores use dated RWD technology, and AWD totally smashes it in terms of handling and steering!!!
Probably if the calais switched to AWD, they would be more desirable and not be bleeding money!!
The other question is how come, if “Holden means so much to Australia”, how come holden came last?!
Jon youre not bringing up the Commodore Fleet thing again are you? because the majority of Toyotas range are sold to fleets:
Corolla/Yaris/Camry and even Coaster Mini-buses and Hiace Vans >
Car Rental Companies… Camry/Aurion/HiLux/Prius > Govt Departments… Prados/Landcruisers > Mining Companies..
in much greater numbers and at much greater discounts than what Holden offer with the Commodore
I don`t own a Toyota, I own a Lemon oops Ford as one of my cars.
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Nah not even AWD could help the Commodore. LOL
Wheelnut, but Commodores/Falcons fleet sales are in the mid 80s/high 70′s.
While Toyota’s largest Fleet seller is Corolla at 60%!!
Also funny, since there is such as long wait for certain toyota’s (I waited 6 months for my prado),, mining companies are resorting to buying toyota’s second hand!!
Also since Toyota Australia is making profit, while holden is bleeding money!! This indicates that holden is the one flogging vehicles to fleets below cost, ie with the biggest discounts, not Toyotas!!
Also, funny the so called “Aussie manufacturers” don’t have any decent vehicles suitable for the mining industry!! The industry that contributes to this country probably more then any other!!
Is it only Holden and Ford that tax payers prop up?
Wheelnut says:
“The same thing could be said if the Skoda switched from FWD to RWD.”
Nah, Skoda has AWD, which is superior to the local’s RWD!!
Even the FWD variants smashed the locals per handling on other site.
On this site, even the japanese FWD smashed the locals in terms of handling!!
Skoda used to be RWD, just like majority of the old makes… but moved on with the times…. And Skoda Auto isn’t bleeding money unlike GM Holden!
Yes, they are jon!!
I think the recommended cut off for that is 2013 or 2015.
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Most NORMAL people choose and compare cars based on size and price, then out of those competitors, which usually have different drivetrains and engines etc, they choose the one which suits them best. Assuming this is how you class cars Wheelnut then why don’t they do a Range Rover v Skoda Superb v Subaru Impreza comparison?
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Wheelnut, you better tighten the loose nut in the mug of yours!!!
These are large cars, they are classed per size, price and function.
Mosts automotive publications compare them according to this criteria!!
Their driving wheels are as relevant as whether or not they have xenon globes!!!
If you wanna compare AWD superb with an AWD s3 and other cars irrespective function/size/price, you are free to form your own website….
What a joke that will be!!
As I said a comparison is usually based on size and price. They wouldnt put an Audi A6 or the likes in because they are too expensive. The 3 Series/A4/C Class are too small. Any other cars of a Falcadore size and price like a Saab 9-5 or Volvo S60 are irrelevant in this comparison because they are too unpopular in Australia. CA chose six popular large six-cylinder sedans around the $50k mark.
While FWD, RWD and AWD all drive differently this isn’t important to a lot of buyers who want good value-for-money, good interiors and don’t care as much about how it drives. The Nissan would have won on value-for-money but probably came last on how it drives for example. The reason that the Falcon won was because it did everything well for a decent price. The Calais came last because of its shortcomings in a lot of categories.
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LOL, it’s funny how wheelnut is really hung up the locals getting smashed handling wise!!!
Wheelnut, the according to the marking the Skoda Superb steers and handles better then the locals!!! Get over it!!
If Commodores and Falcons will still be around next year, maybe they can improve on the handling and steering to help them get better marks!!
Comparing cars according to RWD, AWD or FWD, rrather then it’s function/size/price is about as relvent as categorizing them according to whether or not they have xenon lights or not…
Nick actually the maxima got better points for handling then the Falcon!!
If all cars have the same function, to get from a to b, can you carry a family of 4 in a 2 seat Ferrari?? Or take a Ferrari to work as a offroad truck up in the mines??
Because those cars ARE relevant to the ‘large cars’ class. A6/5 Series/E-Class are in the ‘luxury cars’ class. A4/3 Series/C-Class are in the ‘premium class’ as defined by Royal Auto in Australia’s best cars. Most people would agree with me that the E350 isn’t a direct competitor for the G6E/Calais because it’s 2.5 times the price despite being of a similar size and drivtrain.
The only reason you don’t like that comparison is because it once again shows how bad the VE is. It is completely outclassed by the Falcon which is a direct competitor in your ridiculous criteria.
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Yes but while Wheels have occasionally put a Ford or Holden versus a BMW/Merc/Jaguar they have always said that while the G6E/Calais was good the others were still better and that the comparison isn’t very relevant because someone looking at a Ford can’t afford a BMW/Merc and someone with the money to buy a BMW/Merc wouldn’t bother looking at the Ford/Holden.
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In the eyes of the vast majority of people price and size are most important and drivtrain would come after that. I’m sure that in the eyes of CA when they thought of this comparison they thought that ‘large cars’ would be sufficient because it is generally accepted that thes sorts of cars are ‘large cars’. While the Audi/BMW etc. may be large cars, they aren’t ‘large cars’.
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Wheelnut says:
“Yet in his initial comment on the Comparison he said that it was another biased result from CA and that [as far as he was concerned] they had lost all credibility.”
No, you stupid RETARD, for the Millionth time i was paraphrasing the author!! I never said anything against the creditability of Comparison!! Is it really hard for you to understand?!!! The comparison large family cars, not large luxury cars you idiot!! is it really that hard for you to understand?!
Wheelnut says:”No Jon – the government is also supporting Toyota – remember they gave Toyota $35m to build a Hybrid Camry in Oz… even though Toyota had plans to build them here anyway.”
Yeah, but Toyota doesn’t need it to survive!! I bet you voted for that Labour idiot anyway!!
Wheelnut says:
“I mean there are those on this site [Like Tomas] who love Skodas and wouldn’t even consider a Commodore regardless of how good it turned out to be. Because of their perceived image of Holdens poor build quality; reliability; safety; features etc”
Nah, I’d consider one, but I’ve driven the VE, and even been chauffeured within calais/statesmen what ever it is a few times, and I know they aren’t up to par!!
Wheelnut says:”
Where there are those who wouldn’t even consider driving a Skoda fior the exact same reasons – Which even though the AWD Skoda may be a good car; automatically wipes it off of their short list”
Anyone thinking like that is a village idiot, and can’t afford one anyway…
The vast majority of people consider function/size/price above anything else, thats why the comparisons were based on that!!!
CA tested six similarly sized and similarly priced 6 cylinder sedans because anyone looking at spending around $55k on a large sedan would look at most, if not all of these cars. One conclusion from this is that AWD offers the best handling, FWD offers the best fuel economy and RWD offers a good balance of both.
The comparison is relevant to anyone looking at a Calais because they can see five better cars for much the same price. Obviously it isn’t relevant to someone looking at a BMW because they have at least $50k extra to spend and there are much better cars for $100k. Just as the light hatch comparison is not relevant to someone looking at a Commodore this comparison is not relevant to someone looking at a BMW.
The final point: different comparisons are relevant to different people.
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HaHaHa, I can`t remember the last time I saw 5 people traveling on an Eagle, a Cheetah or a Shark. That is the dumbest comparison I have ever read.I mean you can hardly test a plane, a car and a boat against each other unless its for fun on Top Gear. The last time I checked we were talking about cars, they are competitors regardless of what wheels drive them. And that is because they all drive on the road and are of similar size, engine size and are capable of seating 5. I use to believe that RWD was superior but after owning an AWD car there is absolutely no comparison. In real world conditions and that is in rain hail or shine and on roads that aren`t a race track surface, the AWD wins hands down. I guess unless you have ever owned one you probably don`t and possibly won`t ever know what I`m talking about.
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Supoib
i cant wait for the Fabia and the Yeti
Looks like a quality car. Well appointed, goes well, built well etc. The only downer and it is a biggie IMO is that the Superb makes a Honda accord look like the sexiest car in the world!
Ugly…still
The exterior does look a bit Gummpy but engine performance is good.
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We have been down this road many times. To view you as a moron would be doing a dis-service to morons. If you so badly want an orphan, look no further than Commodore.
Bad dog.
Too right!!
Here here.
I don’t get the point of the twin boot thing. It would be just as practical to have the Skoda as a hatch like the Mondeo/Mazda6 or even the Octavia.
And it’s really UGLY.
love this car!
Tomas79, enough of the name calling.
Continue and you will be banned.
Wheelnut and Tomas, move on. I think you’ve both made your points.
Has anyone read the new CA review on the SIDI Berlina Sportswagon? Holden = fail. But then again, we all knew that.
Wheelnut,
You must be an ex-employee of Skoda who has been burnt or you work for a local manufacturer and are s%^t scared that this is another very good euro product that will take your market share below 13% this year.
You have a hidden agenda, i’m not sure what it is but you are on several sights and nothing you say about Skoda is positive, in fact you are exceptionally harsh in every comment. You are a dinoasour and a weak one at that, you hide behind internet posts like a scared little boy rubbishing something you admit you know nothing about.
Go and drive a V6 superb and see just how far wrong you are, you will soon come to realise that all your dribble on here wont count for much once Skoda have a full line up by the end of the year and meet that 4,000 unit mark. For all intended purposes your ‘perception’ on what Skoda is or isn’t will be about as relevant as you are for extra Holden sales……………………………….
Hear hear salesman!! I have one and am totally satisfied.
Sadly 95 RON is a deal breaker. The FG Turbos are happy on 91. Commodore SIDI can use 91. Disappointing for what is otherwise such a great car.
Its so funny how people accuse CA of being Skoda and VW biased, but then when an MB article comes up we arent allowed to comment for fear of too much negativity. Me thinks people are a little misguided in their comments.