Strange question i know but amoongst the many different models i'm looking at as a replacement for my Seat Leon I cannot help but notice how cheap the Superb can be (in petrol form)

My question is, the Superb isn't a small car at almost 5 metres long but is it too big for everyday life. Do you struggle parking it in a carpark or is it not too bad ? I like big comfy cars but just wonder if its a bit too impractical for everyday life commuting to and from work 14 miles each way ...

Thanks

Steve

lived with a Superb estate for 2 and a half years now - and LOVE it.

Is it too big? - No, not for me, but i think that an opinion - I can drive, and have never struggled to get it parked.

Altho, i did spec the front sensors! - very handy!

Al.

Yes it can be too long for certain parking bays, as either the front or rear is going to overhang the bay, but I do not find the car too big at all.

All cars are getting bigger.

I don't have a problem with the size of it, yes it's big, yes the front end can overhang the space sometimes, yes it's very spacious and yes it's comfy to drive.

It has plenty of (road) presence and swallows up everything that I throw at it or in it!

Can't comment on the Mark II, but I went from an Octavia to a Mark I Superb and must admit I was a bit worried about the size, but I got used to it pretty quickly and now it doesn't feel big at all. In fact I'm thinking of trading it in for a new Bentley Flying Spur

I wish…

Too big? Not really, but I think parking sensors are a must.

You say you like comfy cars (me too)...so please make sure you have a decent test drive and check out the seat. Its the ONLY part of the car that I'm disappointed with. Many others agree with me, but many do not. I just suggest you check it out for yourself on a LONG test drive.

I came to the superb from the latest Mondeo. The Mondeo is too wide and I regularly found I had trouble in Multstorey car parks getting the doors open far enough so that I could get in or out of the car. The superb is slightly narrower and it does make a difference.

I had noticed it wasn't much wider than the Octavia although it is longer (the octavia and yeti are also on the list ....) the 1.8Tsi 4x4 is cheap, in fact as cheap as the Octavia 1.8TSi and cheaper than the Yeti. A long test drive shouldn't be an issue, I can always book a demo through Skoda UK

Altho, i did spec the front sensors! - very handy!

Al.

I've never seen the benefit of front sensors. When driving into a space, personally, I find it more useful to know how close the corners are to the cars either side, but sensors are too sensitive for this and you get continuous beep by the time it's useful. So sensors are really only good for end on sensing in most parking situations. Because of that I find the front sensors redundant most of the time.

Rear sensors I see the benefit of.

I find the Superb more manouvrable than my previous SEAT Alhambra as the turning circle is tighter. Personally, I wouldn't be without parking sensors front and rear, and the button is very handily located for switching them on when driving forward into a space (automatically switched on if selecting reverse)

Parking sensors a must . I do find that I tend to reverse into spaces a lot more now .. otherwise its actually narrower than many cars in same class so is easier to park in some situations . For the amount of internal space you get its hard to beat

The Superb MK2 is not that big, never had a problem driving it around tight carparks. You do get used to the length very quickly, and soon forget about it. 10 months ago I switched to an even bigger car, and don't have problems with that either.

the superb is no bigger than any other large family saloon. Most people with this size car will suffer from parking issues, especially in cities as they seem to be making spaces smaller.

Its based on the passat/a4/Exeo isnt it? My dads had a 2000 V Passatt since 2003 and just bought an 08 plate one...no parking issues to report as of yet

I went from a Golf to the Superb and haven't conciously changed my driving style around car parks, etc. I find the front parking sensors very useful (though not essential), as the nose is much shorter than you think it should be, it gives me the confidence to get much closer to objects than I would without them.

Talking about the sensors...is it possible to decrease the distance before the `beep` goes continuous. I have them front and rear and find that if I stop at the instant it goes continuous, I'm still too far from the obstacle.

Agree with the point about the nose. Many a time I've stopped, thinking the nose is just about to touch the post/wall/barrier whatever, only to get out and find I could've gone forward another foot or so.

Overall, I don't find it too big - and it's narrow enough to fit into most car park bays, I'd say. The doors are quite long though, but I've found that I can open the doors to the first position and still have space to get the kids in/out of their car seat. With my old A4 the first door position didn't give enough room.

My wife finds it too big, she is working on it though by slowing rounding off the corners, yes even with sensors all round :(

Ouch

My wife finds it too big, she is working on it though by slowing rounding off the corners, yes even with sensors all round :(

Ouch! I actually think the superb easy to judge. The front it's easy to place the corners and the rear is ok on estate too. I could imagine its harder on hatchback in judging rear corners.

As above comments, width of superb is a bonus, but length is longer than most spaces. Considering how much room you get inside its a good trade off though. The e class estate with similar amounts of boot space is noticeably longer in length than superb.

Agree with the point about the nose. Many a time I've stopped, thinking the nose is just about to touch the post/wall/barrier whatever, only to get out and find I could've gone forward another foot or so.

Overall, I don't find it too big - and it's narrow enough to fit into most car park bays, I'd say. The doors are quite long though, but I've found that I can open the doors to the first position and still have space to get the kids in/out of their car seat. With my old A4 the first door position didn't give enough room.

Did you have the old shape (B7) A4? If so I would be really interested in any more comparisons you may have via a PM perhaps. I have a 170PD quattro Special Edition Avant which has been faultless other than the injector recall. Itslike the newer Black Editions and fully loaded with kit, but I'm looking to consolidate that and another car into a Superb Outdoor 170.

I've experienced the 170CR engine in another car and its different to the 170PD which is rewarding in its own way (my Octavia is a 140PD and is great too), but I'd be interested in any other comparisons you could make.

Thanks.

Ignore this bit as I couldn't delete it on Android:

I've experienced the 170CR engine in another car and it drives very differently from the PD (my Octavia is a 140PD

Too big? In a word, no. You do notice the size, but never caused me any problems. Front and Rear parking sensors are a godsend, though.

As for the Continental Flying Spur, try it's bigger brother the Mulsanne. That IS big.

No, exactly the right, compact, size. My last vehicle was a long wheel-base Mercedes R Class (5.17m long, 2.17m wide and 1.66m high).

Well it's to long for my garage by about 3-4 inches :(

But not to drive , it just ,well ,normal , if you are coming from a smaller car give it a day or two and it will be business as usual , its a very easy car to drive . But i am used to driving HGV's in the past so i am used to the larger vehicle . Just reverse in every ware using mirrors and the beep beep and its all good .

Went for a test drive and tried the back seats after leaving the driver's seat in my normal position. No wonder they're used as taxis - there's far too much legroom for me let alone the kids. I'd prefer to see more bootspace for the dogs (I guess hatch has the same floor area as the estate I would choose) as you very rarely use the space in front of your knees.

Made the Octavia feel quite compact.

Well it's to long for my garage by about 3-4 inches :(

Or you garage is too short for the car! ;) ;)

there's far too much legroom for me let alone the kids. I'd prefer to see more bootspace for the dogs (I guess hatch has the same floor area as the estate I would choose) as you very rarely use the space in front of your knees.

Which is exactly where the Octavia comes into the line up.