► Skoda Superb returns for a new generation
► More technology, more space and new hybrids
► CAR drives it in estate form for the first time
It says a lot about Volkswagen’s trust in Skoda to create large family cars that the Wolfsburg brand’s new Passat was developed and will be built in the Czech Republic alongside the new Skoda Superb.
In true VW Group fashion, where lord and saviour VW always gets first dibs, a few weeks after driving the new Passat, we’re now getting the chance to get behind the wheel of the real star – the new fourth-generation Skoda Superb.
It launches first as an estate, which we’re trying here, and – unlike the Passat – there will be a large hatchback arriving shortly.
At a glance
Pros: Masses of interior space, very comfortable, a reminder that the VW Group can still make a good interior
Cons: Gets a bit expensive in L&K trim, the odd-shaped digital dials (if we’re nit-picking)
What’s new?
What’s this, a new estate car launching in 2024, and with no EV option? How very 2015! And in this instance, that’s a good thing.
This new Superb isn’t a complete reworking but a thorough update to what has been Skoda’s flagship for more than two decades. It’s a pretty big deal for the Czech brand in the UK too, as it’s the third biggest market for the Superb after Germany (which has by far the greatest share) and just behind its Czech Republic home audience.
Key changes here include a new plug-in hybrid version bringing an electric range twice as long as its predecessor, a much more modern interior and, somehow, even more space. Yes, this new Superb is 40mm longer, and now measures 4.9m in length – almost the same as an Audi A6 Avant. Most of that extra metal goes into improving boot volume, which gets a further 30 litres and now offers 690 litres – the most of any non-SUV or MPV.
What are the specs?
Skoda is sticking to what it knows with the new Superb, and that means the choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrids to keep many company car drivers happy. All Superbs, regardless of fuel, now use a DSG automatic gearbox too.
The Superb is a big fleet player, and the PHEV will be the best-seller as a result. Only available on the estate, the plug-in ditches the VW Group’s old 1.4-litre block in place of a new 1.5-litre setup. Power remains the same at 201bhp, but it now packs a 25.7kWh battery enabling up to a claimed 62 miles of electric driving. You can also DC rapid charge it now if you fancy winding up EV drivers.
Petrol choice currently consists of the VW Group’s well-used 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is now a mild-hybrid, but more powerful 2.0-litre options will follow.
And unlike the Passat, there’s still diesel available. While praising diesel might not do much for your street cred in 2024, it still has a place in a car like a Superb. Even in the UK – where the downward trend for diesel has accelerated far quicker than many other European counties – Skoda still predicts that up to a third of new Superbs sold will use the black pump. You get the tried-and-tested 2.0-litre TDI with outputs of 148bhp or 190bhp and four-wheel-drive. We’re trying the latter here.
How does it drive?
We rarely get to drive any new diesel car these days, so I leapt at the chance. If you’ve driven any new VW Group diesel in the past decade, it will be a familiar choice. It’s a little gruff on start-up, but wonderfully flexible in its power delivery, even with a modest 148bhp and 9.2-second 0-62mph, which isn’t a lot in a car approaching five metres long.
The Superb is a car bought to do big mileages in, and like its predecessor, it remains an exceptional tool. On the motorway, it’s incredibly refined and quiet at speed, helped by the acoustic glass on our test car that does a great job of keeping out external noise. Even on a fairly intensive motorway run, it was still clocking 60mpg – above the claimed 55mpg.
Comfort has taken a step up as well, with the optional DCC Plus (standard on the top-spec L&K), now using a two-valve chassis setup, and if you stick the car in ‘Comfort’ mode, it’s soft, supple yet controlled. We only had a brief drive in the plug-in hybrid, but found the ride of the diesel to be much more supple.
Easy shortcuts to disable the lane keep assist and turn off the speed warning without having to use a distracting touchscreen show Skoda knows what to do to keep drivers doing long journeys happy.
What about the interior?
You can’t talk about the Superb’s interior without discussing the question of space. And good grief, there is a lot of it. You can have the front seats back as far as they go and a tall adult will still be able to get comfortable behind. Just be mindful that optioning a panoramic roof can make a slight dent in the headroom. At 690 litres, the boot is absolutely vast, yet filled with useful touches such as boot dividers and an electric boot cover. There are so many boot configurations and cubbies that there’s even a QR code sticker to remember them all.
In fact, the whole car is filled with Skoda’s ’Simply Clever’ features that aim to make life that bit easier. You know, the ice scraper in the fuel filler flap and umbrellas in the door. A personal favourite is a special cleaning block in the centre console that quickly removes dreaded fingerprints off the touchscreen. It’s things like this that continue to set Skoda apart.
Speaking of touchcreens, the Superb gets a new 13-inch unit as standard. Superb in its functionality – come on, you thought I could get to the end without putting a Superb pun in? – and quick and easy to operate, it could be the best system used across the mainstream Volkswagen Group brands.
The Superb also comes with three ‘Smart Dials’. The outer two control the climate, but once pressed, can be used to alter the heated and cooled seats, if fitted. The middle dial can be configured for various functions, such as volume, drive modes and fan speed. They work particularly well, though have a slightly plasticky feel, and would have been so much better with some proper metal. The only other interior complaint is if I draw your attention to the rectangular digital dial screen that looks like a complete afterthought within a curved shape. But these are the only small complaints in what is otherwise an exceptional interior – I mean, just look at that cognac interior.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
The Superb comes as a large hatch and estate – the latter making the most sense. Many of the Superb’s once-competitors – including the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia – have been discontinued, and this Skoda increasingly has fewer rivals. Its VW Passat sibling is the closest competition, while the Citroen C5X is also worth a look.
This is no longer the £25,000 bargain it once was, but starting from £36,190 for the estate (the hatchback is roughly £1,300 cheaper) still makes it good value, and comfortably undercuts the Passat by around £2,000.
Entry-level SE Technology cars get a 13-inch touchscreen, digital dials, heated and massaging front seats and adaptive cruise control. SE L trim brings upgraded Matrix LED lights, leather upholstery and an electric boot for a £39,520 starting price.
The flagship Laurin & Klement adds a lot of luxuries, such as a 14-speaker Canton sound system, heated rear seats and a panoramic camera. It’s currently only available with the top-spec diesel and at £47,400, begins to encroach well into premium territory where it becomes easier to overlook, even though a like-for-like BMW 3 Series Touring, for example, is a far smaller car.
Skoda Superb – the initial verdict
Skoda’s best car gets even better in this new generation. Comfortable, refined and massively spacious, the new Superb is very hard to find fault with.
Skoda seems to have carved its own path with the Superb and nicely distanced itself from Volkswagen’s messy Golf 8 and ID.3 saga of the past few years. It’s an example of how to make a car both modern yet familiar and never intimidating. A bit traditional, you could say, but the Superb is all the better for it.