Skoda Superb and competitors in the middle class

Currently, the middle class is dominated by players who have been known for years. Manufacturers are indefinitely postponing the introduction of revolutionary changes, especially when the current generation of the model in this segment is selling well. Many well-known mid-range cars do not undergo revolutions for years, but are only “polished” so as not to deviate too much from current visual and technological standards. All this makes the middle class one of the most boring on the market, and many of the existing D-segment users have switched to SUVs (especially those who, until recently, drove wagons). So how do you stand out from the competition? Powerful and economical engine, efficient transmission, elegant yet eye-catching design and interior design close to the premium class. The Skoda Superb Laurin & Klement, which we have been testing for a long time, is not the cheapest offer on the market, but in many ways it offers much more than its competitors. Can he then claim the title of the best car in the middle class? We will compare Superba with Opel Insignia, Mazda 6, Renault Talisman and see if and in what areas this car is ahead of its competitors.

Czech patent for an affordable limousine - Skoda Superb

Excellent For many years it has been the choice of people who want a well-designed car that offers plenty of room for the driver, passengers and a huge trunk. As for the representativeness of appearance Skoda opinions are divided - some consider Superba an elegant replacement for a limousine, others point their finger at the badge on the hood and argue that there can be no question of any prestige in this case. The Czech car has won the recognition of those who do not want to be conspicuous, but rely on comfort and space every day.

What does this look like technically? The wheelbase is 2814 4861 mm, and a direct consequence of this size is plenty of space for rear seat passengers. Traveling with five people is not a particular problem, and what's more, even a passenger occupying the middle seat of the rear seat should not complain about a critical lack of space. The body length (liftback) of 210 mm makes the car really large, although maneuvering it in urban conditions is not particularly burdensome, especially after retrofitting with the optional parking assistant. The equipment can be really rich, and the number of additional options available for the top version of Laurin & Klement can be impressive. We have heated rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive suspension is available, active cruise control works up to km/h, the tailgate opens with a gesture, and the multimedia system is modern and very user-friendly. Options also include a CANTON premium audio system, although its performance isn't stellar. The luggage compartment capacity is a staggering liters, which is unrivaled compared to its competitors.

Trip superbam laurin and clementespecially when a powerful 280 hp gasoline engine is running under the hood, this is satisfactory. The car, including thanks to all-wheel drive, smoothly accelerates in any conditions and in any situation on the road. The Superb picks up bumps well even on the big XNUMX-inch wheels, and thanks to the active DCC suspension, you can tune the suspension characteristics to your needs. What is important, the difference between the operation of the comfortable mode and the sport one is clearly visible.

Wad sh Skoda Superb not many, but they are there. The first, especially noticeable when driving at high speeds, is the average cabin noise. The second thing that attracts attention is the operation of the gearbox during a quiet ride - of course, there is no “tragedy” here, but there are designs on the market that work more smoothly and naturally. The use of the six-speed DSG version was dictated by high torque (up to 350 Nm), but more gear ratios would certainly have led to increased driving comfort and lower fuel consumption. Finishing materials are of high quality, and the fit of the elements is not satisfactory. However, when buying a car worth more than PLN 200 (which is the price of the car we tested), you can expect more than just good quality.

Excellent It is distinguished by a spacious cabin, a very efficient drive system and excellent equipment. Time to look at your competitors.

The revival of the hit - Opel Insignia

First generation Opla Insignia shortly after it appeared on the market, it became a hit in our country. The car from Rüsselsheim was chosen by both company executives, entrepreneurs and private individuals. The Insignia convinces with its attractive appearance, which successfully combines sporty accents with an elegant appearance. However, due to the fact that the first generation was offered without revolutionary changes for 9 whole years, in recent years a decline in interest in this model has been clearly visible in Europe. So it was time for a change, and based on customer feedback about overly complex multimedia processing and poor handling due to the weight of the car, the decision was made to make a revolution. The name remains, but everything else has changed. New Opel Insignia, presented in 2017, although stylistically referred to the previously presented new Astra, it was only an inspiration for a completely new car, which once again pleased us.

Modified Emblem it has a wheelbase of 2829mm, which is longer than the Superbie, although opening the rear doors gives the impression that Skoda offers more space in this part of the car. This does not mean that Insignia lacks it. The body is long - 4897 mm, and the long hood and flowing roof line give the car the stylistic features of a grand coupe silhouette. The old Insignia was blamed for having little headroom in the back. The problem has been eliminated in the new model, and even passengers taller than 190 cm can comfortably ride in the back. Getting comfortable on long journeys is especially easy when the Insignia is equipped with the optional German AGR comfort seats – with these three letters, comfort takes on a whole new meaning. Behind the wheel it is very easy to get a comfortable position. However, unfortunately, the strongest version focuses on sporty performance, and the seats are profiled to suit this driving style - fortunately, there is nothing to complain about on long trips either. The Opel's cabin feels compact and concise, though there's no shortage of space.

The multimedia system works well, although, in our opinion, it takes a long time to get used to the logic of some functions. The trunk of the liftback version has a volume of only 490 liters, which is a very poor result for a Superbi. However, compared to other cars in this segment, Opel does not disappoint.

The most powerful Exclusive version with OPC Line package with 2.0 petrol engine with 260 hp. and all-wheel drive is equal to the performance of the Superba. The gearbox is a classic eight-speed automatic that we like better in everyday use. It is a pleasure to drive an Opel every day, although the fuel consumption of the 2.0 NFT engine was higher than that of the 2.0 TSI Skoda (a difference of about 1,5 liters per 100 km). The soundproofing of the car when driving on the highway is not bad, but it could be better if we choose laminated side windows from the options list, which to some extent reduce the amount of airborne noise reaching the cabin.

Opel Insignia he does not claim to be a limousine, but wants to be perceived as a business car with a sporty character. True, only the appearance is sporty, but the 260-horsepower version does not let the driver get bored. The car was well made and above all the looks can be attractive.

Japanese Panther - Mazda 6

If there is a resurgence in the case of Insignia, it is Mazda 6 reincarnation has taken place. True, the generation currently on offer has been on the market for almost 5 years, it has already had two wide facelifts, and another one will follow next year. It simply means how competitive Mazda wants to be in the middle class and listens to existing users. One has not changed in five years - the car looks like a wild animal, ready to attack, but at the same time it is elegant and attracts attention. The Mazda 6 sedan is a global vehicle offered virtually unchanged around the world. He has gained immense popularity and recognition of drivers around the world. In Poland, Mazda sales have been growing at an astonishing pace since 2013, and there are no signs of change in this matter. It's just a good car. So good that, unfortunately, thieves also like them ... Although the crisis of theft of cars of this brand in our country is under control.

Mazda is trying to break into the premium class through the rear doors, which is the focus of every new version of the Model 6. The materials and their compliance are at the moment at a really high level, in our opinion higher than other brands in this segment. The Hiroshima-based brand designers focused on ease of use and were inspired by solutions straight from, for example, BMW (HMI multimedia control knob).

The cabin is roomy, but not as roomy as the Insignia or Superba, although rear passenger legroom is plentiful. Also noteworthy is the ease of use of the rear seat. The six is ​​rather a four-seater, it is difficult to ride the fifth in the center of the rear seat. The wheelbase of the sedan is 2830 4870 mm, and the total body length is mm. Mazda 6 it does not act as a liftback, and the trunk capacity of the sedan (480 liters) is not impressive. The problem is still in its location and access to the cargo compartment (as in a sedan ...), but everything is rewarded by the appearance of the rear of the car.

Mazda is crammed with safety systems as standard - active lane assist, blind spot, cross traffic monitoring, emergency city braking in forward and reverse, and a head-up display make the car modern and safe, and its final price is very in line with the equipment (less PLN 160). The problem is in the options list - we can only choose the color of the body and upholstery, as well as the option of an electric roof window. We won't find ventilated seats, a massage driver's seat, an induction charger, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The multimedia system, apparently, is the "Achilles' heel" of this model - the speed of work leaves much to be desired, the graphic design "smells like a mouse", and the factory navigation has repeatedly let us down on our way.

Mazda so far it rides great. The test car did not have all-wheel drive (this option is available only in the station wagon with a diesel engine), and a powerful 192 hp SkyActiv-G engine worked under the hood. paired with a classic six-speed automatic. Steering response is instantaneous, the car follows a curve in a curve, and the engine is happy to work until the "cutoff". The Mazda 6 especially encourages fast cornering, and the nearly 6-horsepower naturally aspirated engine, combined with a low curb weight, allows the car to accelerate alongside much more powerful turbocharged rivals. What Mazda has been complaining about for a long time, the engineers have finally mastered - we are talking about drowning out the cabin. And at the moment, Mazda does not stand out from the competition in this category.

Mazda 6 focused on delivering the pleasure of driving a naturally aspirated car that loves high speeds, and, despite the fact that the multimedia is not the first freshness, the appearance of the "six" and its behavior when driving faster compensate for all shortcomings.

French Business Class - Renault Talisman

Since its premiere in 2015, the new sedan Renault advertised as a "business class car". Once again, no one in the brand structures tried to attack the middle-upper class segment, and it was decided to target entrepreneurs, people who want an elegant car that stands out from the crowd with its appearance, but at the same time suitable for any occasion. . As far as the design of French cars is concerned, there are as many sympathizers as there are opponents, but it is undeniable that the Talisman in its class goes beyond certain rigid boundaries. And you might like it. Is the appearance of the Talisman controversial? The biggest discussion concerns the range of daytime running lights and position lights, which are much longer than on other cars. But this detail created a new identity for diamond cars.

The wheelbase of the French sedan is 2808-4848 mm, so it is the smallest of the entire bet and can be seen with the rear doors open. The total length of the body is mm, so it’s no secret that Mascot it is the smallest car in the competition. However, this did not stop him from taking second place on the podium in the boot capacity category - 608 liters for a sedan - an impressive value.

Mascot makes a very good impression on the outside, but once you take a seat inside, you may experience mixed feelings. The seats are made of very good quality leather, but they are not very comfortable and do not support the body in turns. The rear seats are particularly pale - they are flat and not very comfortable. The huge 2-inch screen of the R-LINK 8,7 system makes an impressive impression, and its work quickly becomes bloody. It may not be the most outstanding system on the market, but we think it does the job well.

Driving the top version of the Initiale Paris is marked by luxury and very high quality materials, interspersed in many places with hard plastics - a very unhealthy economy that affects the final reception of the car in this matter.

If, driving Talismana, you are expecting a floating hovercraft, you may be surprised. The steering is not as precise as the competition, but the suspension is not very soft, but still comfortable and works well in corners. When overcoming the latter and maneuvering in parking lots, one should not forget about the 4CONTROL rear steering axle system, which significantly improves the car's handling and reduces the turning radius in the urban jungle. Under the hood is a 1.6 turbocharged engine with 200 horsepower. Unfortunately, sporty performance is out of the question here - it's the only car in the competition that accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in more than eight seconds. The EDC dual-clutch transmission is significantly slower than the Skoda's DSG and has the lowest performance culture of the four automatics compared. However, the performance of the Talisman is satisfactory for most users, and in everyday use there are no problems with dynamic overtaking and driving at high speeds.

Mascotit is a car that is bought with an eye, that impresses with its appearance and does not disappoint with its interior. If someone loves the French auto industry and would like to buy a modern middle-class car, then there is no alternative other than the Talisman.

Taste is decisive for victory

Comparison of four cars of the same class shows that each of them is designed for completely different drivers. It's also hard to argue with the fact that drivers looking for sporty emotions should choose model A, and those who value comfort on long journeys should definitely choose model B. Each of these cars is the sum of the parts that make up a certain whole. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is an individual approach to these advantages and disadvantages that will decide which car will best suit our tastes and needs. The fact that Mazda has outdated multimedia will be a minor detail for one, and an element that will exclude the possibility of buying a Japanese sedan for another. The fact that the Insignia has a medium trunk could make a potential buyer opt for a Skoda or a Renault. But once again, we found that in this class, individual taste plays the greatest role.

Superb was the best among the compared models? In some areas, yes, but that doesn't mean it's definitely the best choice in its class. One thing is certain - the Skoda Superb Laurin & Klement 280 KM, which we have been testing for a long time, although it does not cause euphoric reactions, satisfies a large group of drivers and everyone finds something in this car that makes me want to drive this car every day .