Hello all,

An expat here living in Switzerland, and just purchased my first Skoda! Not only that it's the first Diesel I have owned. Experienced tremendous sticker shock arriving here and honestly more buying options than I have ever had. Left behind my Cayenne, and realized that was not going to happen again for sometime. Just walking around the Superb caught my eye. Great looking car with a classic european estate look. There are not many over in the states. Reminded me of my favorite 5 series wagon from a few years back.

So I stopped into a dealer here in Basel and fell in love. They had a 14 demo, 5k on the clock, super clean and loaded. Wanted a manual and that was going to take at least 3 months, and I needed a car yesterday. Drove it and was very impresses. Handles nice, peppy when you need it. Found I just need to step on the gas hard and it performs. Have my winter tires and rims and ready to go. I have nothing bad to say at this point and think I found a great brand and a great car. Superb has great lines and the new front lights are very attractive. Pano roof is huge and tons of space. The interior is attractive and not cluttered, very understated. Everything my family needs. The price is perfect! Cannot believe what the jump is to another badge that is equal in my book. Happy motoring here. See you all around the Alps!

Sounds like you found the perfect car, welcome and post some pictures of the Superb in the beautiful Swiss countryside! :-)

Hope you enjoy it! Most Americans believe that the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) is just that, Volkswagen and Audi, because they have never seen a Skoda or a Seat. America has responded well to Hyundai and Kia (often thought of in the UK as 'budget' brands) - Wonder how they would take to the Superb? - Even Passats seem to be a bit of a niche product in the US

I'm loving it, taking a bit to get used to the nav and responding to kh. Drivers in the us are not big on wagons. They definitely would embrace the quality construction and value of Skoda. I had no clue half of the brands over here existed. European cars including VW are loved in the states but honestly in bigger cities and east and west coast. There are places in middle America you wouldn't dare show up in anything other than a domestic vehicle. I have been a badge snob in the past loving European imports, they just hold up so much better. In my humble opinion it would take quite a bit of time to establish Skoda or the superb in the us market. It certainly looks better than the 5 series Gt which has been an epic fail over there. I for sure will share only positive accolades for the Superb!

Hi, nice to have someone from the US around!

 

I had the same experience the first time I saw the 2014 Face Lift Superb, didn't leave the sales room before signing on for one. Did chose a car they had in their showroom, still all new and I got the winter tires free of extra charge so it was a no brainer. traded in my 2007 Dodge Caliber that I had almost since new, my better half had one too for some years until her brain got all messed up and she bought a Toyota Auris ... It is sooooo boring, the time almost stops when you drive it ...

 

There are many(!) places in the US where it is mandatory to show up in a Dodge or Jeep, preferably a pickup or 4x4 SUV. A Ford F150 might work as well ... ;-.) ... except when you drive into bigger cities, specially on the east or west coast. Then it is a small car that is no 1, hybrid preferred ... and the big Jeep 4x4 is suddenly looked upon as an old ... dinosaur ... or something the cat dragged in. A big Lexus 4x4 hybrid might be ok if you allow it to run of the batteries while taking of at the red light though ...

 

Glad you like us and our cars here in Europe. Me and my wife like your national parks a lot!! Been to 43 of them now, some of the several times ... :sun: ... with Yellowstone as the absolute favorite!

 

Have a really nice weekend!

Edited 22 November, 201312 yr by AndersNordh

Nice review - glad you've found something suitable

 

My Canadian relatives are always really interested in stuff they don't have back home. Was a bit of a struggle trying to explain Skoda, and why they didn't have them! Especially as a Golf-sized car over there is considered small. That is changing though, as you say, especially in the larger cities.

 

Have fun!

You mention going from a Cayenne to a Superb, I saw an electronic control unit from a Porsche the other day and it looked identical to the same unit as fitted to a Fabia.

You bet and the pano roof is an awfully familiar looking setup! Many parts appear to look similar. That is one of the reasons this vehicle caught my attention. Barring price the Porsche was an excellent build and super solid car. I get the same vibe with the superb. I built on the car configure through Porsche in Swiss, and honestly it was 60 grand more. I did not have a turbo s either. Anyway, can't say enough about my new car. It just feels solid, can't really open it up here in basel, but plan on going to Germany over the weekend. I wish the nav was the same at the cayenne!

While considering Porsche and Skoda comparisons - entry model Porsche Panamera uses same petrol V6 as the Superb.

Welcome to the group. The Superb Combi/estate/wagon is a very impressive car (I thought originally of the twindoor but to be truthful I'd of probably spent all day playing with the boot/trunk mechanism and broke it quickly from over use), and is always surprising me with little extras that it does. I keep getting told it's not a Skoda and that it looks like a Mercedes and occassionally a BMW which is always funny when they realise the badge.

Biggest thing we find going stateside (at least historically) is sloppy suspension.

It's one reason US models don't do well in Europe

Autobahn video needed as well as Swiss Alp pics