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No worries about brand for me.  I'd rather buy this Skoda than a Mundeo or Insignifica.

 

"a built-in umbrella, plus drainage system, in the left-hand rear door."

wasn't this once the preserve of the RR Phantom!  very nice touch Skoda!

 

Kee Law:

"a built-in umbrella, plus drainage system, in the left-hand rear door."

wasn't this once the preserve of the RR Phantom!  very nice touch Skoda!

The 2002 Skoda Superb had this feature first, which Rolls Royce copied later.

I agree that the Superb is a stunning car and has a lot more road presence than a Mundano or Insignifica, and I'd rather drive a Skoda these days than any other marque.Just look at all the satisfaction surveys - only the brain-dead image conscious buy other, more inferior brands.

Isn't it just an Audi A4 at the correct price?  ie cost of parts & labour plus 500 euro's for the shareholders. If its same design, quality, engines etc as an Audi then that ringed badge seems even more expensive and foolish than ever.

 It's just a shame the front looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

skorob2008:

The 2002 Skoda Superb had this feature first, which Rolls Royce copied later.

I agree that the Superb is a stunning car and has a lot more road presence than a Mundano or Insignifica, and I'd rather drive a Skoda these days than any other marque.Just look at all the satisfaction surveys - only the brain-dead image conscious buy other, more inferior brands.

 

The umbrella-in-door idea is something that has appeared in concept cars for years. Yes, the Phantom had this feature after the Superb, but Rolls-Royce "copying" the idea seems like fanciful thinking. I mean, there have been umbrella holders of various sorts in countless RR models prior to the Phantom.

Also, you're not going to get sensible replies here if you kick things off by insulting the Superb's better-selling rivals and then denouncing every other brand as "inferior". You liking Skoda doesn't make other people's choices wrong.

That aside, my personal view is that I'd like to have seen the car compared with the new C5 rather than the Mondeo, since the C5 and Superb are matched on price (the 2.0L diesels are within £50 of one another) and both these cars are notable for putting tarmac-smoothing comfort ahead of aggression and general 'sportiness'. They even look the same.

Okay, I'm joking there. The Skoda is uglier than a burnt stump, and if 'Morris Marina Blue' is any indication of the range of colours, things aren't going to get any better. If only it were handsome...!

I think the more modern term is "Face like a Bulldog licking 'urine' off a nettle" 

Odd that Skoda get the newer Common Rail 170ps engine straight from launch, when other (more posh) VW group models have to wait months for that engine. Yet the new Superb still soldiers on with the 'bag 'o spanners'  PD unit in 140ps guise (??), when just about everything else has / or is about to get the common rail version of the 140 engine. Must be some old stock lying about.

The boot/tailgate combo looks a bit ugly. The middle pivot hinges are massive. Methinks more of a gimmick than outright usefulness. 

 

LateKnight:

The boot/tailgate combo looks a bit ugly. The middle pivot hinges are massive. Methinks more of a gimmick than outright usefulness. 

Hmmmm, BMW are going to be using a version of Skoda's patented 'TwinDoor' system on the next 5-Series.

LateKnight:

Odd that Skoda get the newer Common Rail 170ps engine straight from launch, when other (more posh) VW group models have to wait months for that engine.

Skoda actually get quite a few VAG shared items before other group companies do.The original Fabia got the Polo chassis a full 2 years ahead of the Polo.And the Fabia was always a better car than the Polo, better built, better equipped etc.

The current Octavia vRS also has the 170 CR engine.

ThwartedEfforts:

f only it were handsome...!

If the rumours of an estate version turn out to be accurate the ugly duckling could become a genuine E-Class alternative "for-the-rest-of-us" (ie those of us with shallow pockets) and it would probably turn into quite a handsome beast to boot (pun intended)

Just spent 10 days in the UK, in a new Scoda Octovia Diesel which I picked up at Birmingham Airport. Normally I rent a Mercedes A-Class Diesel but the friendly staff at Eurocar said you'll like this car which proved to be true. Fit and finish was excellent, love the hatchback plus the rear wiper. Ultra-sonic backup, heated seats EXCELLENT air conditioning, motor had lots of torque. 6-speed auto tranny on take off was a little hesitant in first gear which was the only thing I didn't like about the car. MPG was excellent, on a run from Nottingham to St. Ives Cornwall. I got 51.9, cost 40 pounds. On the return trip, on the A-30, 323.7 miles returned 52.2 mpg had a cost of 37 pounds. I'd recommend a Scoda to anyone. Here in Canada I kinda miss it. It will be on my list of vehicles to rent next time. I'll give it 7/10. And believe me I'm not easy to please.

Kee Law:

No worries about brand for me.  I'd rather buy this Skoda than a Mundeo or Insignifica.

Kee Law, your changing, "No worries about Brand for me"!!! Really, or have you just got a short memory.

 As for the looks, check out the front and the rear in isolation and think current 3 series?

All the front needs is a line joining the top to the bottom of the grill to form a sort of kidney and the back needs only the addition of the BMW badge.

Is it still ugly? I'd say yes, but what value. I would still have one for practical reasons.

 

reidbrand:

believe me I'm not easy to please.

You're not joking mate.  The only criticism you have about the car was that it was a little hesitant on take off and you give it 7 out of 10?  Glad you're not on the Autocar road test team!  "This Scuderia?  Best car I've ever driven, but the ride's noisy and the brakes are a bit snatchy.  So 2 stars then"