RE: Skoda Superb Estate meets Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Discussion
dme123 said:
Anyone who buys the Skoda over the XF because it has a better sat nav and more What Car? appeal in the lower dash plastics deserves all of the jumped up econo-car ride and handling they get. Yes the Jaguar is very disappointing in many ways, but the way it feels to drive is beyond reproach.
As others have said though, the 300ps V6 diesel is a much better engine than the heavily boosted four and will elevate the car way above the Skoda. A 5 series or E Class is the same with a 4 pot vs 6 pot; a proper engine matters a lot more to the "premium" feel than stupid toys and fripperies.
I'd buy a 530d
Well, maybe suspend your hostility and try one.As others have said though, the 300ps V6 diesel is a much better engine than the heavily boosted four and will elevate the car way above the Skoda. A 5 series or E Class is the same with a 4 pot vs 6 pot; a proper engine matters a lot more to the "premium" feel than stupid toys and fripperies.
I'd buy a 530d
Edited by dme123 on Sunday 28th April 12:14
Tha Jag was cramped and not that comfortable. I couldn't give a toss about lower dash plastics - I don't look at them. For a supposedly premium car I would expect so much more, like a decent infotainment system, an engine which doesn't sound like a taxi. "What Car" appeal - whatever the f
k that is, doesn't come into it. If I have spent premium money on a supposedly premium product, I would want a sense of occasion every time I get into it - I would want it to impress me with its engineering integrity, its performance and its ability to make every drive enjoyable, whether it's B-road chasing or long-distance driving. Above all, I wouldn't expect endless trips to the dealer to get it fixed.My previous car (BMW 525d touring with 3.0 straight 6 turbo-diesel) delivered on that front every time, even at 10 years old and 185,000 miles. The Skoda doesn't impress on quite the same level, but its 1.5 turbo petrol is decently quick, the cabin is well equipped (SE-L spec) and the infotainment system works and is easy to navigate. The ride is comfortable, the engine quiet, economy decent (45mpg average). It doesn't purport to be a premium product, but it works every time. The Jag claims to be a premium product and falls way short. The Skoda doesn't make the same pretension, but ends up the nicer car to drive.
Hairymonster said:
Well, maybe suspend your hostility and try one.
Tha Jag was cramped and not that comfortable. I couldn't give a toss about lower dash plastics - I don't look at them. For a supposedly premium car I would expect so much more, like a decent infotainment system, an engine which doesn't sound like a taxi. "What Car" appeal - whatever the fk that is, doesn't come into it. If I have spent premium money on a supposedly premium product, I would want a sense of occasion every time I get into it - I would want it to impress me with its engineering integrity, its performance and its ability to make every drive enjoyable, whether it's B-road chasing or long-distance driving. Above all, I wouldn't expect endless trips to the dealer to get it fixed.
My previous car (BMW 525d touring with 3.0 straight 6 turbo-diesel) delivered on that front every time, even at 10 years old and 185,000 miles. The Skoda doesn't impress on quite the same level, but its 1.5 turbo petrol is decently quick, the cabin is well equipped (SE-L spec) and the infotainment system works and is easy to navigate. The ride is comfortable, the engine quiet, economy decent (45mpg average). It doesn't purport to be a premium product, but it works every time. The Jag claims to be a premium product and falls way short. The Skoda doesn't make the same pretension, but ends up the nicer car to drive.
Yeah, but how boring is a 525d? Tha Jag was cramped and not that comfortable. I couldn't give a toss about lower dash plastics - I don't look at them. For a supposedly premium car I would expect so much more, like a decent infotainment system, an engine which doesn't sound like a taxi. "What Car" appeal - whatever the f
k that is, doesn't come into it. If I have spent premium money on a supposedly premium product, I would want a sense of occasion every time I get into it - I would want it to impress me with its engineering integrity, its performance and its ability to make every drive enjoyable, whether it's B-road chasing or long-distance driving. Above all, I wouldn't expect endless trips to the dealer to get it fixed.My previous car (BMW 525d touring with 3.0 straight 6 turbo-diesel) delivered on that front every time, even at 10 years old and 185,000 miles. The Skoda doesn't impress on quite the same level, but its 1.5 turbo petrol is decently quick, the cabin is well equipped (SE-L spec) and the infotainment system works and is easy to navigate. The ride is comfortable, the engine quiet, economy decent (45mpg average). It doesn't purport to be a premium product, but it works every time. The Jag claims to be a premium product and falls way short. The Skoda doesn't make the same pretension, but ends up the nicer car to drive.
GetCarter said:
Needed a bigger car for a large dog and SUVs were not cutting it. Still needed 4x4 considering where I live. Drove Audi 6, BM 5, and Jag. No contest. Especially with a HUGE discount from JLR.
Can live with a 4 pot as the nearest fuel is a 40 mile round trip!
I highly recommend a test drive if you're in the market, the chassis is really, really good.
(OK it's not an R600... but my dog won't fit in one
)
Is that photo taken on the Three Lochs Drive in the Trossachs?Can live with a 4 pot as the nearest fuel is a 40 mile round trip!
I highly recommend a test drive if you're in the market, the chassis is really, really good.
(OK it's not an R600... but my dog won't fit in one
)WJNB said:
Forgive the anticipated & predictable observation by there is still the semblance of stigma when it comes to Skoda. It just doesn't pass muster in the executive/directors car parks or on the drives of middle-class neo-Georgian housing estates.
As an owner you would forever feel the need to explain & justify buying one over a premium brand & we all know the phrase 'he who protesteth too much ......"
Let Skoda sell to Plod, taxi owners & those without the remotest interest in cars & driving, but I wish they would stop trying to be something they 'ain't.
I rather think the whole point of the Skoda is that it *isn't* trying to be anything other than what it is. The transverse-only MQB underpinnings and layout gives it bags of room over other similar propositions. I'd skip the Sportline and get an L&K, though - less bling, better ride from the 18" wheels than the rather tacky-looking 19" items on the Sportline, more kit (adaptive dampers, in particular), and not much difference in price.As an owner you would forever feel the need to explain & justify buying one over a premium brand & we all know the phrase 'he who protesteth too much ......"
Let Skoda sell to Plod, taxi owners & those without the remotest interest in cars & driving, but I wish they would stop trying to be something they 'ain't.
I testdrove pretty much everything when I bought mine and for the price nothing else came remotely close. When I spec'ed an equivalently performant 5 series (you need a 540i) or A6 up to the same kind of kit level (adaptive cruise, ventilated seats, reversing camera, etc.) they were getting on for twice the price. They're also more expensive to service, etc.
Boring to drive? Somewhat. But then, so is a 5 series or an A6. They're all big, heavy barges and none of them really do a good job of pretending to be anything else. If you're buying a vast estate car to be fun on B-roads, none of these cars are really what you want and you're massively missing the point.
And as for feeling the need to justify your choice of vehicle to people (other than on Pistonheads threads about exactly the vehicle in question)... Just how insecure are you? Why would you give two hoots what other people think? It's your car, not theirs.
Do I qualify to have an opinion? Or is someone who also runs a supercharged Elise still not really interested in cars?
Edited by herebebeasties on Sunday 28th April 21:45
fatboy b said:
ST150HB said:
For me the Jag wins hands down. The only thing is, as a current XF Sportbrake owner, it has averaged at least one visit per month to the dealership over the past 2 years for warranty and work and is currently back there having had a major electrical fault. Unfortunately my car will b emoved on in the near future and i'll be going back to the boring, reliable German/Czech folk.
Germans aren’t any better. Our Golf has been in once a month in our 3-year ownership. Worst car I’ve experienced. My past German cars were warranty queens too. Itsallicanafford said:
I know that there is a low level of love for Lexus on PH, but I just cannot understand even the concept of a fault having just completed a reasonably modest 70k in an IS over 4 years. I’ve just swapped it for an ES FSPORT but as a hybrid and a salon car it’s not comparable car to these 2 in regards to pace and boot space. I just find it odd that modern cars actually go wrong?
I find that troubling too. Our XC60 is just about to turn three and has not had a single unscheduled trip to the dealer in that time, despite being treated horrendously. Even the older model Ford-era Jaguars I've owned haven't been particularly problematic, for all it's faults in styling Ford's heavy handed intervention did at least get Jaguar to engineer and build cars properly for a while.kingb said:
Not an option for everyone but a lightly used A6 estate or Allroad with the twin turbo diesel would be a good competitor here.
Would have to be used, as it appears to be another WLTP victim. All Allroads and BiTDI models have disappeared from the Audi website, and it's so close in power to the latest TDI-based S6 that I don't see them coming back.
I'll tweak it now...Tim16V said:
Nice gushing PH Skoda/VAG advert again - the car is apparently just about perfect!
Apart, of course, from the fact that it's absurdly expensive at £38k and boring - rather fundamental.
We were pretty complimentary about the Jag as well! Certainly not an advert, Skoda just very good at what it needs to do. Apart, of course, from the fact that it's absurdly expensive at £38k and boring - rather fundamental.
Fittster said:
I don't get this Q Car, 'Flying under the radar' view.
Does the Skoda avoid speed cameras? No.
Does the traffic miraculously part when a Skoda approaches? No.
Having bland styling isn't really a plus point.
At one point, I went from a MK7.5 Golf R to a Superb L&K 280. Does the Skoda avoid speed cameras? No.
Does the traffic miraculously part when a Skoda approaches? No.
Having bland styling isn't really a plus point.
Performance-wise, there really wasn't much between them, and I was able to press on in the Skoda in a very similar way to the Golf when I wanted to.
The main difference for me was that when I was driving the Skoda, I didn't have to deal with people driving like silly buggers around me, trying to either 'race' me or goad me into a race. It got pretty tiresome in the Golf when all I wanted to do was to drive home in peace after a long day at work.
Anything therefore that hides its performance from the outside is surely worth it in my book.
I owned the earlier version of the Sportbrake, now owned by my younger son. It has the portfolio trim option with Meridian sound. It has served us both very well - and reliably. On motorway driving it has proved remarkably fuel efficient, delivering over 50 mpg.
I thought about buying its successor, the current model, but never got around to looking at it. I was put off by the new cabin in the new XF saloon when it first appeared. On such issues can buying decisions be made.
In passing I think that the Skoda and Jaguar are targeting different sub segments of the market.
I thought about buying its successor, the current model, but never got around to looking at it. I was put off by the new cabin in the new XF saloon when it first appeared. On such issues can buying decisions be made.
In passing I think that the Skoda and Jaguar are targeting different sub segments of the market.
The only reason I haven't bought a superb 280 sportline estate is because they're still too expensive second hand. Just put a deposit on a 2016 Golf R estate instead. Would have loved the extra space but can't afford it. Fantastic car for those who don't mind what badge is on the front.
Helicopter123 said:
Both good cars but suspect most will want to be in a SUV at this price point when buying new meaning not many of these will ever see the road in the UK...
Erm, based on what logic? If you are looking for a large estate, then it's probably because you realise that they are generally more practical and better value than the equivalently priced SUVEdited by Bryans69 on Monday 29th April 13:52
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff