We don't have Skoda in the US, so most won't be able to give an opinion on it I'd guess. My only exposure to Skoda is a short review done on Top Gear (RIP), but the review was highly favorable of the Yeti.

 

If you travel ever to europe, with most Skoda's you can just squint and think of it as a VW but with the last generation stuff in it. I actually rode in once. it was a 2010 something? (I think with a 2.0 gas), ...and it reminded me of a 2005 Jetta stripper.

 

Are you sure it has larger cargo capacity? A quick Google search shows:

35.5 cu.ft with seats up, 73.3 cu. ft with seats down on the Outback
23.3 cu.ft with seats up, 68.9 cu. ft with seats down on the Superb

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong model?

 

660 liters for the Superb
559 liters for the Outback

But that may be a "euro" way of measuring. However, the Superb is a larger vehicle, so it makes sense

 

The new Superb is beautiful but... there are differences compared to the Outback. I'm skeptical that it's more spacious inside but I could be wrong. The Outback feels cavernous to me, but it's also the biggest car I've owned. The Outback also rides higher and has permanent AWD, which are both very good features to have in winter and on rough terrain. If you don't care too much about this sort of stuff, then maybe the Skoda is better for you. In terms of reliability, I know that at least in the US Subaru ranks higher than VW-group cars. It depends where the Superb and the Euro Outback are made, I guess. Also not sure what powertrain the Euro Outback has... unless you want to go with the diesel which doesn't exist in the US, and which might actually be better for Europe than the US gasoline engine.

 

The Skoda looks awesome.


And that's about all I know about that.

 

I saw plenty of Skodas and other Euro card while in London and Paris a few years ago. I had car lust big time!

 

Don't know anything about them, but it sure looks good! The Estate reminds me of a stretched Audi/MB wagon.

 

Thanks for all the input, was not aware Skoda had no US presence. Will be test driving it as soon as it's available - but the OB is still the favorite!

 

As mentioned Scoda is a VW spin off. Nothing sold in the US by VW comes close to Subaru regarding Durability, interior space and over all AWD performance. Having said that Scoda has a better suppirt network in Europe than Subaru does. I recall Subaru only sells a few thousand Subarus a yr in All of Europe. Vs Subaru probably sells 3x more Subarus in Alaska.

 

I'd get the Skoda in your case. It doesn't sound like you are planning to do any off road driving so it's unlikely you'd need the extra ground clearance and it's doubtful you'd even notice the difference between the AWD systems. Meanwhile you gain luggage space and save money with the Skoda. As you mentioned, the Outback is relatively expensive in Europe while in North America it's a very good value. It seems outside of North America, Subaru markets it as more of a luxury vehicle.

 

While the Legacy used to be the THE awd car in the alpine countries in Europe, Skoda has taken that place. People are happy with them, I have a few friends driving Skodas.
The Subaru you are looking at has an AWD system beeing not that much different from haldex.
If you are going with a diesel, I would step away from the Subaru, as they still have problems. The reason why Superb has more space is the transversal engine.
Don't care about the comparaisons US people make about VW, the VW they get are the cheap ones to compete with the lower prices in the US.

While I prefer longitudial engines and boxer engines over transversal engines and inline 4 and V6, I have to admit that Skoda has made a huge step forward with the new generation and offer much car for a reasonable price. My brother drives the precessor and laughes about my Subaru, only the awd impresses him..
If you don't need the clearance, the Skoda will offer a way nicer ride.

 

You're saying the OB's AWD and the Haldex AWD are very similar? How?

 

The Skoda looks nice, but as far as room I did see that Outback has allot more. It's hard to compare because Skoda doesn't have a US market.
Nice looking car though. I'd say if it where offered here it could go up against Subaru, Volvo, and Audi very well.

 

Agreed Scoda would be my choice of the two if we were across the pond. If anything superior support network vs what subaru has over there. And agreed the Subaru diesel lacks the development history that Scoda has. I like Subaru in the states because its a great value and has very good Subaru support. I have a VW also and the only reason we keep it is our local vw dealer is abnormally really good and fair on repairs which is exceptionally rare in the US.

 

I'd take the Skoda in a second over the OB. The Haldex AWD system is what Audi/VW, and Volvo use. It is world class. The Superb is a nice looker also, what's missing is the body cladding chunkiness...Frumpiness Not missing, a good design choice...to avoid

I could do without it completly. The Gen5 is a better example than the Gen4...which I think is almost Aztek Fugly. But that's me...ain't trying to start any wars.

 

I was stuck in a SKODA with Trisha Toyota.

 

Sounds enjoyable...details?

 

We were on a Holiday in Cambodia!

 

That's a fine looking sedan.

 

Some genealogical tree for VW:


Audi-VW-Seat-Scoda..


SCODA is a Checkoslovacian car brand purchased by VW. SEAT is Spanish one.
So, SCODA=KIA. Outskirts of German brands.

 

High Quality Outdoor Footwear, 10 years ago was almost exclusively an Italian monopoly. Today, because of sheer economics, most companies converted almost solely to China. Brands such as LaSportiva, Scarpa, Lowa, Asolo...they still produce some of their best in Italy. However, the Czech Republic and Romania are now places that some very fine boots are being made. The above companies source some of their upper level, more obscure boots from there.

The quality is top notch. I know a car is not a mountaineering boot. But the latter is difficult to do well. BTW...I'm 1/2 Czech.

 

Thanks for all the advise. Would love to have the ground clearance when dealing with the snowy winters - but will test drive both cars before anything is decided.

Typical norwegian winter...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIGGeQTJ_aw

 

BigBr, have you purchased the car? Which one?

I have the same dilemma (I live in Austria)! I was very firm in my decision to go for Outback, but since I saw new Superb, I have been on the way to change my mind. Seems that is a very good car for the money, probably the best buy!

 

Hi @milan, sorry for the late reply!
Yes, purchased the Superb Estate 190ps 4wd DSG, but will not receive the car until the second week of january. Felt much more modern, less noisy and more comfortable than the Outback, and even if it's not as "terrainy" as the Outback i am sure it will do the job on icy and snowy norwegian winter roads.

Can't beat the boot. Another alternative is the Merc E-class, but it's an "old" version soon to be updated with a totally new model. And more expensive...

In-detail review here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky793NS2gEQ

 

I got the 3.6r 16 OB. I would have jumped at the chance to own a OB diesel. Jumped I tell you. As high as I could.

 

No diesel for me! Gas was $1.58 at a Speedway station today with diesel selling for $2.68 at the same station.