Picked up a nice 2016 Superb 2.0 TDI SEL 4x4 150ps last week in petrol blue. Traded in our trusty Seat Altea XL TDi (170ps BMN PD engine). Thought I would share my initial experiences.

 

First off, it's a much more premium feel than the Seat, really happy with build quality - not on a par with BMW/Merc, but very decent (also have 2nd gen Merc CLK to compare).  It's a lot quieter than the Altea which is most welcome, but drives totally different. The Altea was much harder/sporty vs the Superb's relaxed soft approach - most welcome due to the amount of pot holes and speed bumps around these parts.  Despite only giving away 20bhp and being much newer, it is noticeably not as quick as the Altea, this is also compounded by the weird lag in throttle response, of which much has been written on this forum. Have got used to it, and it will surge forward after a very short delay albeit in a slightly less brutal fashion than before.  Economy is better on the Superb, I would estimate 3-5 mpg based on current experience.

 

Love the columbus system, took a while to get Android auto up and running on our phones (problem mostly cable related, but plenty of good posts on here to fix) but really happy with that. The sound system I would describe as ok/adequate - quality is fine, but lacks depth, I think fitting a discrete sub somewhere would be best fix. I previously upgraded the head unit and speakers of the Altea  on day 1 as the OEM setup was truly woeful - Skoda OEM amp/speakers are much better. Will wait a while longer with the Superb and see how I go.

 

Interior space is frankly off the chart huge!  The Altea was big anyway, but the Superb is in a league of its own. However, headroom is much tighter, if like me you are a tall (6ft 4") driver. There is some discussion on here if having electric seats thieves some height adjustment, but I wouldn't want it any tighter without restricting forward view thought the windscreen. On the Altea I actually had to raise the seat from the bottom setting, definitely more headroom in there and bigger top to bottom windscreen really helped me. Boot is massive, and have full size spare wheel - carrying family+all their junk will be easy! Towbar - need one fitted, will go 3rd party after being quoted £1.5K for Skoda fold down version  - ouch!

 

That's all for now ;-)

I am 6'4 and have no issue with height in my SEL. There is loads of room above my head with the seat set low. Could have it higher and be fine but like to sit low down. Check to make sure you are as low as it goes.

Edited 1 July, 20187 yr by PSM

3 hours ago, PSM said:

I am 6'4 and have no issue with height in my SEL. There is loads of room above my head with the seat set low. Could have it higher and be fine but like to sit low down. Check to make sure you are as low as it goes.

 

Yeah, I've spent some time on the adjustment, definitely doesn't go an further. Issue is more the forward visibility though  - headroom is actually fine. I was spoilt previously with the massive windscreen on the Altea. My CLK has less headroom, but because the top of the windscreen sits higher it's still ok. 

1 hour ago, MrBone said:

 

Yeah, I've spent some time on the adjustment, definitely doesn't go an further. Issue is more the forward visibility though  - headroom is actually fine. I was spoilt previously with the massive windscreen on the Altea. My CLK has less headroom, but because the top of the windscreen sits higher it's still ok. 

Not noticed that either but coming from an Octavia maybe got used to it. Will have to see when next in car.

I tried the Octavia before, very similar. It's ok though, not a deal-breaker  - obviously