Some random thoughts, questions and opinions...

[Rocket36]

Yeah it's strange... The lesser product gets more of the nice to have type gadgets. It doesn't make sense really.

It's like, combine the best of both VW and Skoda and make THAT the VW. Combine the lackings and make THAT the Skoda. It's like they don't know what they want the cars to be. If the Skoda had the interior displays the VWs have it'd have made deciding which to buy really hard.

But the Skoda still has too much rake on the tailgate so it loses for me on that alone.

[Wynnston]

Yeah it's strange... The lesser product gets more of the nice to have type gadgets. It doesn't make sense really.

It's like, combine the best of both VW and Skoda and make THAT the VW. Combine the lackings and make THAT the Skoda. It's like they don't know what they want the cars to be. If the Skoda had the interior displays the VWs have it'd have made deciding which to buy really hard.

But the Skoda still has too much rake on the tailgate so it loses for me on that alone.

You can argue similarly with the Passat and the B9 A4 Audi. I know they're different platforms, but why does Passat get a 206kw, and a bunch of standard features where the Audi gets 180kw and you have to pay for most features.

Skoda is the better value car by far. I just didn't like the interior styling as much and was set on getting the flashy active info display.

[DR074]

Agree W

Thought toast was going to pop outta the front of the Skoda. Its no oil painting outside either.

[rsp8]

Agree W

Thought toast was going to pop outta the front of the Skoda. Its no oil painting outside either.

Looks are always subjective, but I’d bet if they put the active display in the Superb they would lose a hell of a lot of Passat sales! Skoda certainly has a distinctive styling with very hard crease lines etc, but to be honest driving something a little different is probably what appeals to me and many Skoda drivers, they are certainly not bland.

I’ve got a Sportline and couldn’t be happier, but it defaults out of E mode for the gearbox too...

[DR074]

Agreed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[Hillbilly]

Actually the speedo reads FAST as in higher than actual speed. It is illegal for it to read slow.

Mine reads 106 when doing 100 by GPS or from the ECU in the secret menu in my NAV

Also if you set your cruise on 100 you will actually only be doing about 95

I set mine for 105 and ECU tells me it is on or about 100 actual. My two Blackvue cameras back that up

My drivers seat moves back and forward to the correct place each time but I set it as instructed in the manual

Dont know about the B8 but I have folding mirrors in my B7 as well

[doc_777]

The 2.0 Quattro A4 has "only" 180kw. However if you pick yourself up an RS4 Avant with 331kw, you could argue that the 206TSI Passat has "only" 206kw...

It could be argued that VW Group are trying to increase the market share of the Skoda brand in Aus - hence some of what those in the industry call "surprise and delight" features - like umbrellas in doors.

Simply, Aus buyers tend to be rather conservative. The reason that Skoda don't sell as many Superbs in Aus as VW sell Passats is really quite simple - market presence. Joe Public generally associate the VW brand with semi-premium. Skoda is almost like the poor cousin. Pricing reflects that. Same really as the relationship most people associate between Audi and VW.

As for the relative "features" of the two vehicles compared - that is up to personal preference. For example - I don't regard the hands-free tailgate as a "gimmick" - I regard it as a great feature that makes life simple when having both hands loaded with grocery bags for instance. But like another poster, the back-end of the Superb wagon has too much rake - makes it more of a "lifestyle wagon" - more for "poodles, not pallets" as I once heard a different brand described. Being the owner of two large dogs, they would NOT be comfortable in the back of a Superb - just not enough room. Again - preference for ones needs, not a statement on which is "better" because that is arbitrary.

Vented seats - yeah, had them in my previous Y62 Patrol. They were nice, but I regard them as a gimmick. Give me decent aircon and window tinting to PREVENT the car getting hot in the first place. Rear seat heating - no doubt at all, that would be lovely. But I don't sit in the back, so the kid can suffer

Those door umbrellas really are toys though. Very small. My wife and I each carry golf-sized umbrellas in the back of our Passats, under the floor. When needed- they're available sure, but even living in cold wet Tassie winters, that is rare.

There you have several examples of what one buyer prefers over another - nothing to do with which is arbitrarily "better", only what one person's needs make preferable. No matter what the feature mix, there is always a buyer who wants "not what that vehicle has". Manufacturers are damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Skoda are currently receiving a sweetheart deal on the MQB platform. They basically are getting the IP for free from VW (who developed it on behalf of the entire group), and BIG discounts on the shared component costs. VW have said that Skoda will no longer be getting that kid of deal, now that they are growing the brand to its current levels - and that will see the cost of shared platform vehicles increase by up to 10k on higher end vehicles in the range (like the Superb). Basically, Skoda are currently not paying full price to the rest of the group for the shared supply of all MQB components - that is chassis and suspension components, electronics suite, drivetrain components... Pretty much everything that is not unique to the Skoda vehicles (so doesn't include things like panel stampings, external lighting, some glass etc).

VW are the parent company - they are positioning each brand EXACTLY where they want them to be

[Rocket36]

What’s this BS about Skoda getting a deal from VW? Skoda is VW. Just like Audi. Think of it like an airline. Audi is First Class, overpriced for what you get but the premium product. And a lot of people just love saying they fly First Class. VW is Business Class, still too expensive for what the product is but you can justify it because you want some extra comfort and to feel good. Skoda is Premium Economy. Hardly anyone buys it because it’s in no mans land between economy and business but there will always be someone that wants it. But most will settle for Economy because it’s the cheapest and gets to the same place in the end anyway.

Actually saw the new Skoda Superb today. Nice but needs the same screens up front and better styling. Something that says class rather than “my Dad’s European and my Mum’s Asian”. That rake on the tailgate makes that space useless for those of us with large dogs.

[rsp8]

Skoda is Premium Economy. Hardly anyone buys it because it’s in no mans land between economy and business but there will always be someone that wants it. But most will settle for Economy because it’s the cheapest and gets to the same place in the end anyway.

Actually saw the new Skoda Superb today. Nice but needs the same screens up front and better styling. Something that says class rather than “my Dad’s European and my Mum’s Asian”. That rake on the tailgate makes that space useless for those of us with large dogs.

Hardly anyone buys it because there’s hardly any dealers and it’s a little bit of an eccentric choice, at least in Australia.

If I’m in premium economy I’m happy - someone just brought me all the beer and wine, some real cutlery and noise cancelling headphones whilst the guys up beyond the curtain (let’s call them BMW drivers to avoid a war) are wondering why they only get a packet of Nobby’s Nuts, and the plebs behind them have bigger screens. Larger seats and full meals were probably optional extras.

Cars are a personal and subjective choice, and price wise, certainly at the top end of Skoda, the difference actually isn’t that much - an R line Passat and a Superb Sportline are within a few k drive away of each other. It wasn’t about money when I made my choice, I genuinely preferred the Skoda (hatch) and just wish it had the active dash - but not enough to regret the choice.

Most certainly each to their own, I will certainly pay for mine in depreciation but that’s a few years off yet I hope.

[Rocket36]

The lack of dash and large centre screen was one of the main reasons I didn't even consider Skoda.

But you're right. Totally a subjective and individual decision.