Skoda Superb: A Modernized and Practical Estate Car
Skoda has made significant strides within the Volkswagen Group, particularly with its Superb model. While previous generations of the Superb were based on the Volkswagen Passat, the latest fourth-generation Superb has emerged as a leader in its own right. Skoda took the opportunity to take a more prominent role in the development of new cars, deviating from the shared-platform approach to introduce user-friendly features and concepts.
The Superb faces fewer estate car rivals in the market, with major brands like Jaguar axing their offerings and other competitors from Vauxhall, Ford, and Japanese brands long gone. However, its biggest challenge is to convince buyers to choose the classic estate over the ubiquitous SUV. Skoda hopes to achieve this by offering an extensive range of models in the UK, including two petrol engines, two diesels, and a plug-in hybrid, with a third petrol engine set to be introduced later this year.
Design-wise, the Superb maintains its estate car identity, eschewing trendy styling fads. It features a more rounded design, taking inspiration from Skoda’s Enyaq EV model rather than the bold style of the Kodiaq. The Superb also prioritizes aerodynamics, with a sleeker windscreen, streamlined roofline, active shutters for the grille, and other design elements that help achieve a drag coefficient as low as 0.23. The Superb is available as both a five-door liftback and an estate.
Inside, the Superb offers ample space and exceptional usability. Rear legroom has increased by 65mm compared to the outgoing model, making it one of the most spacious cars in its class. The estate roofline ensures generous headroom, and large side windows create a sense of openness. The boot is also impressively large and features practical storage solutions. The interior materials and design strike a balance between classic values and modern technology, with a 13-inch touchscreen, wood-effect trim, elegant door handles, and a full-width vent.
Skoda has also revamped its multimedia system for the Superb. The 13-inch touchscreen comes standard and offers a customizable home screen with configurable shortcuts for easy access to key functions. Skoda’s smart dials allow for intuitive control of climate settings and other features. The system is responsive and complemented by the latest version of Skoda’s shared Volkswagen Group multimedia system.
In terms of performance, the Superb offers a range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options. The 148bhp diesel engine is expected to be a popular choice, providing a quiet and efficient driving experience. The Superb delivers a comfortable ride and responsive handling, striking a balance between sportiness and comfort. The optional DCC adaptive dampers further enhance ride quality.
In terms of running costs, the Superb offers excellent fuel economy, with the diesel variant averaging 52.7mpg during testing. Prices for the Superb start at £34,875 for the hatchback and £36,175 for the estate, offering great value compared to premium competitors like the Mercedes E-Class Estate. Company car drivers should consider the plug-in hybrid variant, which offers an electric range of at least 73 miles and falls into the 5% benefit-in-kind tax band.
Overall, the Skoda Superb represents a practical and modernized estate car that excels in its core strengths of space, efficiency, ease of use, and intuitive driving characteristics. Skoda’s restrained approach to design and focus on essential features sets it apart from other manufacturers. The Superb offers a wide range of powertrain options, ensuring there is a model to suit every buyer’s needs. With its competitive pricing and impressive features, the Superb makes a compelling case for the estate car in a market dominated by SUVs.
