► Skoda Superb hatch joins the estate model
► A refined, relaxed high-speed flagship
► CAR drives it for the first time
As promised in our recent Superb Estate review, the Hatchback version rolls up a little late looking unflustered, suave and relaxed with itself. We’re in its home country of the Czech Republic to drive it – and to see if it’s as effective an evolution as its bulkier counterpart.
It’s interesting that the more stylish fastback is later to the party, but figure this is down to Skoda wanting two bites at the launch publicity cherry for its flagship ICE car. Co-developed with the Volkswagen Passat, there’s no VW-badged counterpart to the Superb fastback, which leaves the Czech firm with the market for an upscale non-premium family car all to itself.
Perhaps it’s an admission from the mothership that Skoda is making better judgement calls right now. Whatever the reason for this timing, model strategy and market positioning, it’s good to see the Superb is back in on such good form. The Superb Estate has set a high bar, though, so we’re expecting good things here.
At a glance
Pros: High-quality, beautifully-judged interior, acres of space, refined at speed, so much more appealing than a Passat
Cons: Weak mild-hybrid 1.5-litre engine best avoided, don’t buy L&K models if you’re on a budget
What’s new?
We might be running the risk of repeating ourselves here, but it’s great to see Skoda confidently launching a new ICE-powered car in 2024 with no full-electric alternative to keep things on trend. Yes, there are hybrids of various flavours on offer, but you can also buy it in diesel form. With two power outputs.
The fastback body style is a very gentle visual evolution of its predecessor, but careful attention has been paid to the way it cleaves through the air. So, an EV-like drag coefficient of 0.23 is quoted to back up the effectiveness of some interesting pieces of airflow management this car features. For instance, air intakes for the braking system are integrated into the lower front bumper to form a neutral, cooling low-pressure area for the front discs. Geeky, perhaps, but that minimises drag and wind noise.
Of more relevance to most buyers will be the new plug-in hybrid version, diesel models that will easily go more than 700 miles between refills, and an enormous amount of rear legroom with all the USB slots the rear-seat occupants can throw an overpriced smartphone at. It should be roomy, too, as the Superb has grown to 4912mm in length, which is knocking on the door of the 4939mm-long Audi A6.
What are the specs?
The biggest news story to complement the expansive engine range is that if you want a manual-transmission Superb, you’re out of luck, or need to go secondhand. I’ve driven dozens of these over the years and can’t say that I’ve ever felt the need for quick-shifting my way around in it – so that’s no great loss really. The side-benefit of going for a two-pedal, column-shift-only range is you get loads more space in the centre console.
The petrol range kicks off with the VW Group’s 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI Evo power unit. Now, a mild hybrid, it’s more economical than before. There’s a pair of 2.0-litre TSI also available, topped by a 265bhp version, which takes over the job of range-topper from the legendary Superb 280. Down on power it might be, but refinement and efficiency are improved.
The diesels are improved versions of the 2.0-litre TDI, so beloved of generations of drivers before the time when fuel from the black pump became so unfashionable. But in this market (dare we say, ahem, the taxi trade), diesel is still hugely relevant, and as such, Skoda reckons up to a third of new Superbs will be TDIs. Your choices are the same engine in 148 or 190bhp forms – with four-wheel drive available on the more powerful model.
This is mainly a car bought for professional drivers, so it’s likely that the 201bhp PHEV is going to be the biggest seller. The plug-in is now powered by a new 1.5-litre allied with a 25.7kWh battery pack. You get DC rapid charging, and a claimed EV-only range of 62 miles. This model will follow a little later.
What about the interior?
Two words come to mind here: space and quality. The Superb is a brilliant luxury car if you’re looking for lounging room, with vast amounts of legroom to play with in the back, even if the front seats are set-up for the tallest of front-seat occupants. The loadbay, also, is huge and well-shaped, and packed with useful features like a boot dividers, cubbies and a false floor.
The central mounted infotainment screen might look like it needs angling towards the driver, and it could spoil the view forwards, but neither proves to be the case in the end. And unlike Skoda’s previous efforts, its latest incarnation is simple to use and glitch-free. I’ve been using a similar set-up in the Enyaq for months now, and the voice control and mapping software are so good that I don’t need to switch back to CarPlay or Android Auto. That should prove the case here, too.
Otherwise, it’s pleasingly conservative in here, with three multi-function ‘Smart Dials’ operating as heater and seat controls, and a selector for the drive modes – such an improvement over stabbing at a touchscreen. The centre one is configurable, which is nice, but my experience is that it tends to be left in whatever mode it comes out of the factory. Either way, they work well, and I hope to see them used across the entire range.
Back to my original point, and the final word must go to the quality of this interior. Every touchpoint is well judged and has an agreeably premium feel, while the assembly is tight and true right down to the smallest detail. The switch feel is excellent, including the solidly-engineered clack of the rear wiper toggle, while the door pulls are exquisitely detailed and are a delight to use. Trims are colours are also tastefully chosen, so don’t waste it by choosing one with a black interior.
How does it drive?
It only seems right to kick off with the entry-level 1.5-litre mild hybrid. With 148bhp to play with, and a claimed 0-62mph time of 9.2sec (perfectly reasonable), it’s fair to say that a car of this size is not going to set the world on fire.
So, it proves – if you’re in a hurry, you absolutely need to shift it into Dynamic mode, and liberally use your right foot to get things moving. You’re not rewarded for the effort. The engine sounds painful when stretched, and the DSG transmission either responds lazily or holds on to revs too long, forcing mechanically sympathetic drivers to change up manually.
But dial it back, and it proves to be a quiet and unobtrusive cruiser that whispers along at motorways speeds, which is exactly how it should be. Here, we found the Superb relaxing, but also surprisingly economical, with an easy 45mpg on a European-paced high-speed run.
The diesel offers a very different chance to achieve the same thing, with an identical 0-62mph time and similar top speed. It’s rougher at start-up but settles down to a similarly quiet high-speed cruise. Getting up to speed involves riding the torque curve and rarely seeing the tacho exceed 3000rpm. This could well be the sweet spot of the Superb range, because 60mpg is the name of the game on a similar route with no real penalties in terms of overall refinement.
The 2.0 TSI in L&K form is an altogether nicer car, though, and the one to go for if ultimate economy isn’t on the agenda. Performance ramps up a gear, and although you’re never going to buy a Superb for Nurburgring blasts, its easy overtaking and effortless demeanor when truly cracking on, really suit this car. Never has making progress been simpler – and less annoying for other drivers.
Body control has taken a major leap over the last Superb. That car was effective enough, if you were lucky enough to have equipped it with DCC and ran it in Dynamic, but otherwise it could be a bit floppy in bends. This one is far tighter on more challenging roads, with much more incisive steering, sharper damping and less roll. And it’s like that out of the box, so no need for your fancy-pants drive modes if you don’t want them – leaving it in Comfort with be more than enough for most.
Yes, these opportunities rarely present themselves on the North Circular run to Heathrow, so they might not be a priority for you, but it’s good to know you won’t be punished when Waze sends you down a windy B-road to avoid another stationary day on the M25. The supple ride, ruthless elimination of noise and all-round fitness for purpose on the motorway are true highlights, however.
Before you buy
The Superb hatch has an increasingly small pool of rivals to choose from. The Estate might have the Passat to call upon as its closest competitor, but that’s not the case here. With the range kicking off from £35k, it’s pretty much on its own. The now-discontinued Jaguar XF is a conspicuous bargain and (just) available for similar money, but other alternatives such as the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class are more expensive, or the BMW 3 Series, which is far smaller inside.
Entry-level SE Technology cars get a still-well-sized 13.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instruments, heated and massaging front seats and adaptive cruise control. Matrix LED lights, full leather upholstery and an electric boot are reserved for the business-focused SE L model.
Our favourite, the tastefully-finished Laurin & Klement model ramps up the luxury, but also the price. You can easily spec on up to around £50,000 – which might be a culture shock for some. But Skoda crashed through that price point ages ago with the Enyaq, and no one complained too much. Here you get an upgraded Canton hi-fi, and some extremely nice interior trim and material choices. It’s a true luxury choice.
Verdict: Skoda Superb
The new Skoda Superb is the perfect example of a car built by a maker comfortable with its customers’ needs, and delivering a car completely fit for purpose. In a market for large saloon/hatchbacks that’s contracting by the day, it would have been easy to phone it in and win by being the last one standing.
But Skoda has pushed the boat out on improving the latest generation. Highlights are its exceptional refinement at speed, comfort and tasteful high-quality interior. As a roomy family car that’s easy to live with, looks stylish and stands out in a world of electric SUVs, this is about as good as it gets. But there’s more to it than that.
As a ‘mainstream’ alternative to a large executive saloon, such as the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Superb is also a massive bargain. It’s easily as refined, spacious and well-built as its more glamorous rivals, and yet has all the style and elegance a buyer of any of these cars might be looking for. In a world where tough economic times may mean sensible downsizing, this could be the next big game in town. Skoda may well have produced the perfect vehicle for our times.
Specs are for a Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI SE L