Skoda Superb review
You know you’re getting value for money with Skoda, but the Superb also adds limousine-like space and a high-quality interior. It’s a brilliant family car.
Pros
- Very spacious
- Well equipped and well built
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Top-spec versions are pricey
- It’s not as much fun as some rivals
- It’s a big car to park
Summary
“The Superb is great value, giving you luxury car space for family car money.”
The Skoda Superb gives you many of the benefits of a large luxury car for but for the price of a family hatchback or saloon. It’s noticeably bigger than its key rivals, with vast amounts of headroom and legroom and a huge boot. The estate version is even roomier.
It’s also stylish inside and out, while the interior has a high-quality feel. All models have a smart, easy-to-use touchscreen infotainment system and lots of other useful high-tech features.
The Superb is comfortable to drive and you can choose from a range of efficient engines that help to keep running costs low. Reliability and safety are also excellent. Overall, it’s great value for money.
What's the interior like?
“A huge amount of space, clever storage features and top-quality materials.”
There’s a huge amount of space in the Superb, with enough room in the back for three tall adults to sit comfortably on a long journey. The boot is bigger than any rivals’, with 625 litres of space. That’s enough to fit in four large suitcases or four sets of golf clubs, while the large hatchback opening makes access easy. Fold the seats down and you’ll get a huge 1,670 litres of space. The estate version gives you even more space, at 660 litres with the seats up and 1,865 litres with them folded down.
There are some clever storage features too, such as velcro straps in the boot to hold shopping in place. Some models also feature umbrellas that you can stow in special slots in the doors and a rechargeable torch in the boot.
The Superb’s interior is stylish and uses high-quality materials. All cars come with an intuitive infotainment system. Models from 2019 onwards come with Skoda’s Virtual Cockpit, which is a single screen behind the steering wheel that replaces the conventional speedo and rev counter display. You can personalise it to show the information you want to see.
What's it like to drive?
“It’s a big car with a relaxed, comfortable feel. There’s a wide choice of engines and a plug-in hybrid model.”
The Superb is good to drive on all journeys, with soft suspension and comfortable seats that make the interior a relaxing, comfortable place to be. It’s a big car and feels like it, but it’s not cumbersome. You’re aware of the Superb’s sheer size when parking, but the parking sensors on SE models and above are a big help.
There are a wide choice of engines including petrols, diesels and, from 2020, a plug-in electric hybrid. All have a good combination of efficiency and power even if you have the Superb fully loaded with people and luggage. Manual and automatic versions are available and there are also four-wheel drive models that provide extra reassurance in poor weather conditions and when towing.
Is it cost-efficient to buy and run?
“Compared with its rivals you get more car for the money.”
The Superb costs a similar amount to rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat but you get more car for the money. The range of engines are the same you’ll find in many Audi and Volkswagen models and all are very efficient. For maximum mpg the diesel engines are the best bet.
If you can stretch to it the plug-in hybrid it has an official average of over 180mpg, but what you’ll actually get will depend on your driving and charging habits.
How reliable and safe is it?
“Skoda does well in customer satisfaction surveys and the Superb should be solid and dependable.”
Skoda has consistently scored highly in customer satisfaction surveys over recent years and it was ranked the second-best car company in the 2019 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study. The Superb should be a solid, dependable car.
Safety is excellent, with a five-star rating from safety organisation Euro NCAP and a long list of safety features as standard. Some models have adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance to the car in front on the motorway.
Which one is best for you?
Best for economy - 1.6 TDI
Best for family - 2.0 TDI SE
Best for fun - 2.0 TSI Executive
All trims come with a good standard of equipment, including a touchscreen infotainment system. It’s worth looking for cars that are at least one level up from the basic S model since these add front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. For a true luxury feel seek out the Laurin & Klement models, which have leather trim and lots of extra features.
