BMW 330Li vs Skoda Superb: Key areas where one car outshines the other

This 330Li may be an extended wheelbase version but the BMW has the Superb licked when it comes to sheer handling prowess.

BHPian narula123 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

So, brother recently upgraded his A3 to a BMW 330 Li (hunted for an Octy/Superb but no luck, dint want another Audi and the C dint win).

I had the 330 with me recently for a few days when I went home to attend the Indian leg of MotoGp. So a mix of city traffic and some spirited driving on the open highway gave me a good idea of how the 330Li fares against the Superb.

Where the 330Li shines through:

• That Gearbox is MAGIC! Mated to the extra 50 odd bhp on tap, the gearbox on the BMW is probably the best in the segment by a long margin. It being intuitive is an understatement. Its hands-down my favourite part of this car.
• The new dual screen setup is quite well done and the graphics and menus are a notch above the ones on Skoda. Is it perfect? No and I’ll shed more light on it later.
• You cannot ignore the extra poke this engine has vs the 2.0 TSI. The aural note it delivers when revved is also better.
• The overall ‘solidness’ of the interior build quality is definitely a notch above Skoda with the latter itself being quite impressive. The noise isolation inside the cabin is also better. The tan interiors also get more marks from me than the Superb’s beige.
• The handling. This may be an extended wheelbase version but the BMW has the Superb licked when it comes to sheer handling prowess. Its not even a contest when you experience how the Beemer grips the road through tight flowing corners.
• The Steering. Hands down the best steering I have experienced in a car even among the luxury brands. Its a delight to hold and it’s super precise and communicative. Loved it!

• Here is where the Superb outshines the BMW:

• The sense of space in the Superb is unbeatable. The Li has improved rear legroom almost matching the Superb’s but the overall sense of space in the Skoda is a grade higher. Don’t even get me started on the comparison on the boot space. Also, 3 abreast is an easier fit in the Skoda.
• I prefer the physical HVAC and ICE knobs in the Superb vs the ‘all-inside-the-touchscreen’ thing in the BMW. I also prefer the driver’s instrument console layout (and its various options) on the Superb vs the Beemer
• The adjustable lumbar support, the ventilated and massaging seats, the rear sleep package, the cushioning on the seats and the ride quality all make the Superb a more comfortable car to be in vs the 3.
• The Superb guzzles lesser fuel vs the 330 relatively. Put the BMW on sports mode and you’ll wonder where the fuel vanished. The Eco mode on the BMW does salvage some points.
• The 17 inch rims on the Skoda lose out on handling but make up for it on ride comfort & practicality vs the low profile setup on the BMW. I honestly was super cautious taking the BMW through bad patches or over nasty expansion joints.
• The Air conditioning on the 330 was a bit disappointing. It did not cool fast enough or intense enough as I expected it to and I honestly was surprised by this. In comparison the Superb’s unit works noticeably more effectively.
• The Price. No contest here. You spend almost 25 lakhs more for the BMW. You get a better badge value and more futuristic interiors with a much more potent engine. But still, 25 lakhs more??

I loved every minute of driving the 330 Li. The way it drives and handles makes every moment spent in the driver’s seat an experience. It makes you understand why BMW has a reputation for making ultimate driving machines. The Li version also makes the 3 series very family-friendly and practical specially for the chauffeur driven (my brother is). The sense of overall luxury in the BMW is a slight notch above the Superb. But then you cannot ignore that this delta vs the Superb comes at a hefty price. My heart wants to ignore the 25 lakh differential but my mind tells me I can buy another bike or another Crossover SUV in that much money.

Lucky for me then that we have both the Superb and the 330Li in the family to keep the decision-making aside.

Keyword: BMW 330Li vs Skoda Superb: Key areas where one car outshines the other