Car choice Soda Superb vs Mazda CX7

Jun 23, 2019
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Just looking for advice from those with experience. I am new to caravanning, changing the car soon so my wife and I have the choice narrowed to a skoda superb estate 2.0l diesel, and a mazda cx5 2.2l diesel, both with 150bhp, 2wd and sufficient torque. We currently have a Hyundai Santa fe 4wd but is getting on in years and needs to be retired to the school runs or whatever. The superb is appealing as has loads of space, but not the high driving position that the mazda offers, and that we are used to. (car tax on newer santa fes is too high and their fuel economy pales in comparison) Any thoughts?
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I have 170 PS DSG 4x4 Superb Estate. Since 2000 we have had SUV high driving position cars but going from that to the Skoda was easy-peasy. As you say it has lots of space in fact at 6ft 4 inch tall I have to clamber in to reach the very front of the load space. Unlike my XC70 I can have the drivers seat fully back and still sit comfortably on the rear seats with good knee room. It’s comfy, economical 50-55 mpg on solo journeys and swallows luggage. Handles the caravan superbly so it should as Suoerbs and Passats regularly take top honours in Towcar of Year tests. Servicing via Skoda fixed menu servicing is reasonable and on a par with other mainstream cars. Cheaper than my previous Subaru and Volvo. Lots of garages to use from authorised dealer service centres to VAG specialist. Don’t regret going ‘conventional ‘ for one moment.
 
Dec 6, 2013
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I don't have any experience of the Mazda but the Skoda Superb is an excellent, sound car with all of the attributes that Clive has said. The 150bhp 2.0 diesel engine is more than up to towing a caravan of a sensibly matched weight and is good for huge mileages provided that it's serviced on time.

Don't ignore the VW Passat estate either, particularly if you're buying second-hand. It's mechanically identical to the Skoda but a little bit more comfortable and nicer inside, and - unlike the Skoda - came with a spare wheel as standard from new. We've had three and they've all been brilliant.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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SamandRose said:
I don't have any experience of the Mazda but the Skoda Superb is an excellent, sound car with all of the attributes that Clive has said. The 150bhp 2.0 diesel engine is more than up to towing a caravan of a sensibly matched weight and is good for huge mileages provided that it's serviced on time.

Don't ignore the VW Passat estate either, particularly if you're buying second-hand. It's mechanically identical to the Skoda but a little bit more comfortable and nicer inside, and - unlike the Skoda - came with a spare wheel as standard from new. We've had three and they've all been brilliant.

My Superb has a full size spare sat in the well came with the car.
 
Oct 8, 2006
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SamandRose said:
I don't have any experience of the Mazda but the Skoda Superb is an excellent, sound car with all of the attributes that Clive has said. The 150bhp 2.0 diesel engine is more than up to towing a caravan of a sensibly matched weight and is good for huge mileages provided that it's serviced on time.

Don't ignore the VW Passat estate either, particularly if you're buying second-hand. It's mechanically identical to the Skoda but a little bit more comfortable and nicer inside, and - unlike the Skoda - came with a spare wheel as standard from new. We've had three and they've all been brilliant.

Second paragraph - +1 to the letter albeit ours have all been estates. Not only a spare wheel but full sized and alloy if that is the original fit. We too have had three - a B6 (the bullseye rear lights,) a B7 Executive Style which is one below the Alltrack and was a lovely motor, and now the B8 150bhp 2L GT with sunroof as well as aircon - and it is the best of the bunch.
 
Sep 5, 2016
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My mate is a Para Medic and his daily drive at work is the Skoda 4x4 estate he swears by it's performance and it is on duty 24/7,
 
Oct 8, 2006
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camel said:
My mate is a Para Medic and his daily drive at work is the Skoda 4x4 estate he swears by it's performance and it is on duty 24/7,

Technically a Skoda Scout which also has raised suspension to give better ground clearance. Oh, and it will be a 2L vRS diesel so pushing 170bhp (or 240+bhp if he has a petrol) and being a relatively light vehicle they go like you-know-what off a shovel!
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Woodentop said:
camel said:
My mate is a Para Medic and his daily drive at work is the Skoda 4x4 estate he swears by it's performance and it is on duty 24/7,

Technically a Skoda Scout which also has raised suspension to give better ground clearance. Oh, and it will be a 2L vRS diesel so pushing 170bhp (or 240+bhp if he has a petrol) and being a relatively light vehicle they go like you-know-what off a shovel!

Mines a 4x4 Superb with the 170ps CR diesel and DSG. It isn’t a “technical Scout” as it’s ground clearance is identical to the standard 2WD estate. You are right on one account in that not being a heavy car it’s performance surprises many. In fact compared to my 212 PS D5 XC 70 the Superb has a better ride being lower and gives absolute nothing away on performance and beats the Volvo by a good 10 mpg when driving solo.
 
May 7, 2012
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Both will make excellent tow cars, we are on our third Mazda and they have all been trouble free and excellent tow cars. My son in law had a Superb and that was equally good. From my point of view you are not really comparing like with like, if you like the Skoda the equivalent Mazda is the 6 which is a great car and if you like the Mazda the equivalent Skoda is the Kodiak.
I think you do need to decide which style of car suits you best and then look at the offerings from each maker and take what then is what you feel is the best for you.
Both makes are very good for reliability, towing and service, so the choice has to be personal, although the service from local dealers and the deals available might be the deciding factor.
 
Dec 6, 2013
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My Superb has a full size spare sat in the well came with the car.[/quote]

We have one (a 2016 car) on our works fleet which doesn't! The boot floor is lower as a consequence which means Skoda can claim the car has more boot space. Perhaps this wasn't the case on older models, I don't know.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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SamandRose said:
My Superb has a full size spare sat in the well came with the car.

We have one (a 2016 car) on our works fleet which doesn't! The boot floor is lower as a consequence which means Skoda can claim the car has more boot space. Perhaps this wasn't the case on older models, I don't know.[/quote]

I believe that there are three variations of boot level dependant on car spec and options. Mine was a factory fit full size spare that has the same width and rolling diameter as the 17 inch alloys but has a steel 16 diameter rim. So it can take full vehicle loading including towing. A polystyrene moulded stowage sits in the wheels center and holds the towball amongst other bits and pieces. The boot floor is slightly higher than a 2WD to accommodate the rear differential. Although ride height is no higher. Overall I like the car which is really well thought out. As an earlier post said they go on for a long while. Proof being that today I’m in a 2008 courtesy Passat Estate with 192000 miles on the clock, and still drives well.
 
Oct 8, 2006
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Raywood said:
Both will make excellent tow cars, we are on our third Mazda and they have all been trouble free and excellent tow cars. My son in law had a Superb and that was equally good. From my point of view you are not really comparing like with like, if you like the Skoda the equivalent Mazda is the 6 which is a great car and if you like the Mazda the equivalent Skoda is the Kodiak.
I think you do need to decide which style of car suits you best and then look at the offerings from each maker and take what then is what you feel is the best for you.
Both makes are very good for reliability, towing and service, so the choice has to be personal, although the service from local dealers and the deals available might be the deciding factor.

Slight corrections:
I would suggest the nearer match with the CX7 would be the Karoq. Having said that the CX-7 has been discontinued.
It is Kodiaq with a Q
The Mazda is basically a Mondeo with a bit of modification. IME it is not as big - especially legroom - as the Superb.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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The 64 plate Superb I own has more luggage volume than the E class Estate of similar year and much more leg room all round. But it’s not a Merc :)
 
Oct 8, 2006
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konrose said:
I would go for the Skoda. But that’s just personal preference. I’ve currently got a 2013 Passat estate 150bhp and it tows great.

Bar present being an 18 plate (B8) estate - very much +1.
We have also had a 14/B7 estate and a 58/B6 estate both of which were 140bhp and they towed like a dream as well.
Tip to the OP: if you get a Skoda have a Westfalia (vertically) removable ball towbar fitted. IMSMC they are the only bars rated to the 90Kg that the car chassis can handle. Also VITALLY important, make it a condition of contract with the fitter that it has the fridge wiring loom fitted, and that the engine control unit (ECU) is upgraded to let it know that you may be towing.
I don't know about the Skoda, but with the Passat the traction control and ABS warning lights normally go off at the same time: when a trailer/caravan is hitched up, if the ECU detects it one of those lights stays on for about two seconds longer than the other. Also if you have one of the new big-screen infotainment units which displays a picture of the vehicle when you are reversing the display changes from a car alone shape to a car with A-frame on the back.
 
Feb 23, 2018
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SamandRose said:
...Don't ignore the VW Passat estate either, particularly if you're buying second-hand. It's mechanically identical to the Skoda but a little bit more comfortable and nicer inside, and - unlike the Skoda - came with a spare wheel as standard from new...

Guess what I've just bought?

That's right, a spare tyre. I was getting twitchy towing a larger caravan with no spare in the car, just the can of hopes and prayers.
 
May 7, 2012
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Woodentop said:
Raywood said:
Both will make excellent tow cars, we are on our third Mazda and they have all been trouble free and excellent tow cars. My son in law had a Superb and that was equally good. From my point of view you are not really comparing like with like, if you like the Skoda the equivalent Mazda is the 6 which is a great car and if you like the Mazda the equivalent Skoda is the Kodiak.
I think you do need to decide which style of car suits you best and then look at the offerings from each maker and take what then is what you feel is the best for you.
Both makes are very good for reliability, towing and service, so the choice has to be personal, although the service from local dealers and the deals available might be the deciding factor.

Slight corrections:
I would suggest the nearer match with the CX7 would be the Karoq. Having said that the CX-7 has been discontinued.
It is Kodiaq with a Q
The Mazda is basically a Mondeo with a bit of modification. IME it is not as big - especially legroom - as the Superb.

I accept the Karok might be a nearer comparison but basically I was trying to point out the comparison was simply between two different concepts and not therefore correct. It is a long time since Ford had any interest in Mazda and the latest 6 has absolutely no Mondeo in it and if there is a difference in the leg room, it is more a question of if you need the extra, given the price difference. The Mazda is a very under rated car, once described by Autocar as a BMW for those who do not care about badges. Possibly a bit over the top but that was their opinion on it.
 
Jun 23, 2019
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Thank you to all, Choice made. Skoda superb it is based purely on space...the tow bar limit was slightly more also. Now for the caravan
 
Nov 11, 2009
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jayw said:
Thank you to all, Choice made. Skoda superb it is based purely on space...the tow bar limit was slightly more also. Now for the caravan

Both are good cars enjoy your choice and good luck looking for the right caravan.
 
Mar 10, 2006
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jayw said:
Thank you to all, Choice made. Skoda superb it is based purely on space...the tow bar limit was slightly more also. Now for the caravan

Its probably the best choice of the two as the mazda diesel 148bhp is prone to engine problems.
 

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