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Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI Review : 14 Pros & 14 Cons

What I like:

  • 75% of the A6 / E-Class / 5-Series luxury at 50% of the price
  • Value for money price, enhanced by the discounts! Punches above its weight & how (my related article)
  • Timeless, elegant styling with “big car” presence. Fit, finish & build quality are top class
  • Awesome space and comfort, including at the rear. Beats luxury cars costing twice as much
  • Classy dark-brown cabin is luxurious & practical. Cavernous 625 liter boot gobbles up big bags!
  • Enjoyable 12-speaker Canton sound system includes a punchy subwoofer
  • Insanely fun 2.0 turbo-petrol engine with 187 BHP & 320 Nm on tap
  • Fast & improved wet-clutch 7-speed DSG (instead of the notorious DQ200 which I’d never buy)
  • Comfortable ride quality is just perfect for Indian roads
  • Surprisingly easy to drive for such a large car. Driving experience makes us smile
  • Loaded with features & technology. Equipment list runs pages long…
  • 5 star safety rating & kit - 8 airbags, ESP, TC, ABS + EBD, EDL and lots more
  • 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all inclusive maintenance pack
  • Attention to detail (THREE lights in the boot, felt-lined & illuminated door pockets, ticket holder on windscreen, boss button, triple-zone climate, rear headrests with outer support, request sensors even on the rear doors, umbrellas with a drainage system…)

What I don't like:

  • DSG reliability woes (although I’m a bit more optimistic about this new DQ381)
  • Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories
  • Complex electronics & suspect long-term reliability
  • The 2021 updated car gets more features, a handful of which I do miss
  • No option of Sportline looks with L&K features (would’ve been our choice)
  • Single digit fuel economy of the turbo-petrol in the city
  • The economical & practical 2.0 turbo-diesel is no longer available
  • Shorter, tighter & lighter Octavia is more fun to drive. The Superb is like a limousine!
  • For the list price of 40 big ones, I’d prefer a RWD instead of a FWD layout
  • No full-size spare wheel. Also, I don’t like the after-market’ish design of the L&K rims
  • DSGs can get jerky in crawling traffic (between 1st - 3rd gears). It’s an inherent DSG trait
  • Sheer size means the car isn’t really city-friendly. Good luck in tight lanes & parking spots
  • 156 mm of ground clearance, coupled with a long wheelbase and soft suspension
  • Skoda’s sorry attempt at a (fake) panoramic sunroof & the excessive chrome treatment on the L&K

 

Read GTO's detailed Skoda Superb Review

 
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