Skoda

Superb/Superb Estate

Skoda certainly raised the bar when it comes to luxurious equipment levels on its Superb range. Easily living up to its name, this vehicle oozes class, delivers on the performance front and offers top safety and security spec in abundance too.

Test Drive

Skoda Superb 2.0 DSG 4×4 Sportline Plus Hatch (2020)

Skoda’s Superb model has long been established as the flagship model in the Czech car maker’s line-up and its reputation has just grown even further with some smart new upgrades along with the choice of extra technology.

Customers can choose from generously-equipped trim grades along with a range of punchy engines, including the company’s first plug-in hybrid version. There is the option of a DSG automatic transmission plus 4×4 ability.

Skoda’s design team have subtly refined the Superb with a remodelled radiator grille and a chrome trim between the LED rear lights. There are new-look lights that make the car appear more dynamic in its styling and, with a new bumper, the model has grown in length by 8mm to 4,869mm, but the wheelbase, height and width remain the same.

Another new feature is the LED puddle lamps that project ‘SKODA’ onto the ground when the doors are opened. There are also fresh alloy wheels and extra colour choices for customers.

We tested the Superb Hatch (it’s also available in estate guise) powered by a punchy 2.0-litre 190PS diesel engine with seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, 4×4 and in high-end Sportline Plus trim level.

This car, costing £39,025 – increased to £40,685 with options – could reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.0 seconds, topped out at 143mph and, according to official WLTP figures, could deliver a combined 44.1mpg with carbon emissions of 186g/km.

With Race Blue metallic paint, privacy glass, a gloss black rear spoiler and grille, plus 19-inch blackened alloys, the Superb certainly looked the business and a number of people commented on the dynamic styling of this five-door beauty.

The interior of the latest car is modern, clutter-free and beautifully styled with all controls, dials and readouts simple to operate on the fly. The Alcantara sports seats and steering wheel have ample adjustment so it’s easy to get comfy and there is a wealth of technology to explore.

Features on our car included a 9.2-inch touchscreen with 3D map navigation and Wi-Fi, SmartLink+ with Apply CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink connectivity, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, a DVD drive in the glovebox and plenty more besides.

When it comes to handling, the Superb lived up to its name and quickly answered the most regular question I was asked during the week-long loan: “Does it go as fast as it looks?” The answer is ‘yes’ and some.

It is beautifully balanced with excellent road holding into tight bends, and all the power and acceleration you could wish for. There is a Sport setting on the gear lever that sharpens up the handling and performance along with steering wheel mounted paddles for manual switching.

You can flick through different Drive Mode settings called Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual with Sport proving the most rewarding out on the quieter, faster country lanes.

Motorway driving is a pleasure behind the wheel of the Superb with the cabin well insulated against any engine or road surface noise and the effective suspension system smoothing out all but the most severe bumps and dips.

There is plenty of room in the back of the car for two adults to sit in complete comfort or three if they don’t mind a bit of a squeeze. And the boot is generously sized with a 625-litre capacity – a limit that increases to 1,760 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. In addition, there are lots of practical storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin, including a cooled central box, door pockets, a glovebox, sunglasses holder, front and rear cup holders, a tray and seat pockets.

As one would expect, Skoda has packed the car with safety kit and it was awarded the maximum five stars when tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating. Features include the likes of front assist with automatic braking, driver fatigue sensor, blind spot detection, seven airbags and lots more.

All in all, the latest improved Superb is a fabulous car and is certainly worthy of its status as the flagship model within the Skoda range. It looks amazing, drives brilliantly and, for once, is priced with an eye on the sensible.

Test Drive

Skoda Superb Hatch SE Business 2.0 TDi 150PS

Taxi drivers are shrewd businessmen – they work hard for their money and understandably they appreciate good value when they invest. And that’s exactly why you will see so many cabbies in and around our cities behind the wheel of a Skoda Superb.

Over the years Skoda, which is part of the VW Group, has developed a well-earned reputation for building good looking, well-equipped, feature-rich, economical and reliable cars and the latest Superb model is a prime example of all those attributes.

The car really looks the business and has a true presence on the road thanks to its sweeping lines, chunky grille, sculpted bonnet, 17-inch alloys, neat light clusters, LED tail lights and plenty more besides.

Step inside and there is a sense of premium quality to the latest Superb with plenty of soft-touch materials and a whole host of techno treats to be explored. Features include a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen with sat nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, dual zone climate control and SmartLink which connects the car to a smartphone and mirrors functions such as playlists, contact numbers and navigation apps.

The test car had a few optional extras such as heated front and rear seats (£400 extra), light and lane assist with blind spot warning (£950), an electrically operated boot (£400) and SmartGate to evaluate driving data (£100). These add-ons bumped the asking price up from £22,090 to £26,700.

It has to be said the Superb offers fabulous levels of comfort with ample room for three adults to stretch out in the back with all the head, leg and shoulder space you could wish for. And like all Skoda models, plenty of attention has been given to clever storage options.

The boot can accommodate 625 litres of luggage and this capacity can be increased to 1,760 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

Elsewhere there are numerous trays, door pockets, umbrella pouches, central bins and drinks holders to store items plus a glovebox that can be cooled.

The test model can reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.8 seconds and tops out at 137mph. According to official figures, it can achieve a very impressive combined fuel economy of 68.9mpg with carbon emissions of just 108g/km.

And when it comes to performance, the latest Superb feels much livelier than its predecessor with the 2.0-litre 150PS diesel driven engine delivering plenty of power as it accelerated through the six-speed manual gearbox. The road-holding was nicely grounded and the steering very precise which meant tight bends could be attacked with confidence at pace.

There was a small amount of road surface noise when the car was pushed particularly hard, but that aside the cabin remained beautifully quiet as the highly-efficient suspension system ironed out the many bumps, dips and smaller potholes along the way.

All-round visibility is good and as one would expect, the car is kitted out with a comprehensive range of safety features which helped it achieve the maximum five stars in the Euro NCAP safety ratings.

Skoda not only does the important things very well when producing new models, but it’s the attention to detail and making life simpler that cannot fail to impress. For example, if the weather takes a turn for the worse there are umbrellas stored in the front doors or an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap. There is even a removable LED lamp in the boot – all small touches that can mean so much.

Test Drive

Skoda Superb Estate Outdoor 2.0 TDI DSG 4X4

If it’s versatility, practicality, economy and style you’re looking for then the Skoda Superb Estate Outdoor is the perfect car for the active family.

Boasting smooth streamlining and a truly massive interior, this car is ideal for people who want to pack bikes, camping gear and travel goodies into the boot and head off for a weekend of adventure.

That’s because very few cars offer the generous levels of space for back seat passengers as the Superb Estate and despite its larger-than-life dimensions, the car handles beautifully and is impressively economical along the way.

But make no mistake: this vehicle is so much more than a load-lugger. It looks great from any angle thanks to its bold, athletic stance, 18-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, tinted windows, chrome roof rails and an Outdoor styling pack which includes matt grey front and rear bumpers, plus a loading sill and side mouldings also in matt grey.

The interior is clutter-free in its layout and there are plenty of techno treats to be explored.

These include a multi-device interface to keep you connected on the move, illuminated interior door handles, dual zone air conditioning with a pollen and dust filter, rear parking sensors and there is even an umbrella tucked away neatly in the rear door compartment just in case an unexpected shower should catch you out.

Admittedly, a few features are noticeable by their absence, namely electric seats and a sat nav system, but it’s worth remembering that the all-round package of the car, which is priced at £31,050 including £1,810 extras, is exceptionally good value for money.

Powered by a 2.0-litre 170PS diesel-driven engine, the Superb Estate has ample power and acceleration as it moves smoothly through the automatic 6-speed DSG transmission. And there is always enough oomph on tap even when fully laden with passengers and luggage.

The driver is treated to excellent all-round visibility and the addition of parking sensors is another plus factor when it comes to parking such a lengthy vehicle.

The Superb is exceedingly comfortable for all occupants and I discovered that even after a long 250-mile journey the seats were still very supportive resulting in a reduction in driver fatigue.

Luggage restrictions will never apply either as the car has a 633 litres capacity with the seats up which can be increased to a whopping 1,865 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded flat.

There is auto stop/start which helps to maximise fuel efficiency – according to official figures the car has a combined economy of 49.6mpg – and there is also a sports driving mode to sharpen up responses.

In and around town, the Superb Estate was content weaving its way through the crowds, but out on the open road it was easily capable of keeping pace with faster moving traffic.

It can sprint to 62mph in just 8.8 seconds and tops out at 135mph.

The 4×4 capabilities are also a bonus feature and will keep owners on the move when the colder weather kicks in.

The Superb is considered to be the flagship of the Skoda range and with its dynamic styling, excellent versatility, impressive handling capabilities, outstanding safety credentials and notable economy; it’s easy to see why the company has so much confidence in the vehicle.

Test Drive

Skoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI 170PS 4×4 DSG

If a manufacturer is confident and brave enough to call a car the Superb it has an awful lot to live up to.

Thankfully the Skoda Superb Estate is Superb by name and Superb by nature.

It is incredibly difficult to make an estate car look attractive and easy on the eye, but somehow Skoda’s design team seem to have achieved the impossible because, despite its size, the range-topping Superb Estate also lives up to its Elegance label.

It looks great from any angle thanks to its smooth, sleek streamlining, chrome roof rails, 18-inch alloys, privacy glass, protective chrome side mouldings and sweeping dynamic headlights.

And the bright and spacious interior is equally as impressive with a rich array of techno treats to be explored.

For example, there is a touchscreen navigation system with DAB radio, a multi-device interface, keyless entry and start, electrically adjustable leather seats that can be heated, an excellent sound system and plenty more besides.

Admittedly the car is not cheap but nor is anything about it. For Skoda has incorporated the finest materials to create a quality cabin environment packed with stylish and premium quality creature comforts throughout. The test car carried a £29,815 price-tag (£31,675 with options fitted).

It also boasted 4×4 capabilities to ensure Mother Nature’s mood swings will never be an issue and featured a very impressive 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The handling was beautifully smooth and despite its larger-than-life size, the Superb Estate’s 2.0-litre diesel engine can deliver some fairly impressive performance stats such as a 0-62mph sprint time of just 8.8 seconds and top speed of 135mph.

It is also rather frugal with combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg.

All-round visibility is excellent as are the comfort levels as the car copes proficiently both in and around town and out on the open road where bends can be attacked with confidence at pace.

As one might expect with a vehicle 4,833mm in length, back seat passengers are treated to ample leg room and can truly stretch out in comfort.

And the boot’s capacity of 633 litres (1,865 litres with the seats folded flat) means transporting heavy, large or awkwardly-shaped items will never be a problem. The boot lid can be opened automatically via a button on the key fob which is another bonus when approaching the car laden down with shopping bags.

An optional extra well worth every penny is the intelligent parking assist system priced at £540. This impressive system not only finds a suitable parking space big enough to suit the car but also parks it for you too. It can be used to search out parallel or bay parking spaces.

Skoda has packed the Superb Estate with a comprehensive range of safety innovations to keep occupants and pedestrians as safe as possible. These include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, numerous airbags, rain sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and that 4×4 technology.

All in all, the Skoda Superb Estate is an ideal combination of style, performance and practicality.

It can easily cope with all the demands expected of an estate car but is fashionable enough to show off on the dreaded school run.

Test Drive

Skoda Superb SE 1.8 TSI 4dr

It’s often said that cabbies are amongst the shrewdest businessmen of our day, so when you see many of them behind the wheel of a Skoda, the company must be making an impact.

And that’s just what Skoda has been doing in recent years. Since shaking off that oh-my-God-it’s-a-Skoda image, the company has transformed itself and now thrives on a well-earned reputation for producing quality vehicles that look good, drive well, are reliable and cost-effective. What more could you want really?

Priced at just under £19k, the Skoda Superb supplied for my test drive was testament to those Skoda credentials.

The vehicle was packed with quality features and they all came as standard… unlike some companies who charge an arm and a leg extra for items such as floor mats.

This vehicle boasted dual-zone air conditioning with an air-conditioned glove box, pollen and dust filter, a superb sound system, parking sensors, cruise control and even an umbrella stored in a rear door – now that’s what I call service.

Generally, comfort levels throughout are very high and there is plenty of room for five adults to travel in style. The vast number of storage compartments and massive boot area means they can bring along all their goodies too.

The 1.8-litre engine delivered plenty of pace both out on the open road and in more congested city centres, where the driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility.

As one has come to expect from Skoda, the Superb is equipped with a host of safety features including anti-lock brakes, the automatic activation of the hazard warning lights if the driver brakes sharply, a tyre pressure monitoring system, numerous airbags and a great security package to keep any unwanted attention at bay.

To be fair, if you give a car a name such as “Superb” it does have quite a lot to live up to. Thankfully, this Superb didn’t let the good name down.