Skoda Superb Review

The Skoda Superb has been around in the modern era since 2001 but the Superb first came to the fore in 1934 when Skoda was a luxury maker. The first ever Superb model was powered by a 2.5-litre V6 engine that produced a heady 55bhp. By 1949, the Skoda was selling around 600 units per year and just like the new car, the original version was a pioneer to showcase new technology.

Fast forward to 2015 and let’s get back up to speed with the latest iteration of the superb model. The flagship Skoda is the benchmark in its class when it comes to space and comfort and this car is about to build on the foundations laid by its predecessor.

Pardon the pun, but this, is a Superb way to travel. Skoda has launched the new Superb with a choice of seven engines. – the largest offering in the car’s history consisting of four petrol units and three diesel engines. Two power outputs are offered with the 1.4-litre TSI unit, a low powered 123bhp and a higher powered 148bhp while there is also two choices with the 2.0-litre model, a 217bhp powered unit or the flagship 276bhp engine.

Opt for a diesel and you can choose from a 1.6-litre TDI producing118bhp or there’s two power outputs on offer with the 2.0-litre TDI, a low powered 148PS and a higher powered 187bhp.

Performance is more than ample. Our pick is the 2.0-litre TDI with 148bhp when mated to the six-speed manual gearbox (although it is also available with a DSG automatic ‘box) – the power band has a good range and there is a decent amount of shove when you need to overtake slower moving traffic. Over the benchmark sprint the Superb is more than capable and will more than match its rivals. With this engine, it will reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.8 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 137mph where legal.

Despite its increase in size, the Superb has shed 75kg in weight making this new version even better to drive. Built on the VW Group MQB platform, the Superb shares this building block with the likes of the VW Golf, Audi A3, SEAT Leon and even the Skoda Octavia.

The Superb is more about luxury travel and wafting you to your destination, however, if you opt for the SE-L Executive then you will get the Drive Mode Selection as standard. There are four modes to play with, you can choose these settings depending on how you feel and the way you want to drive. The modes include Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual and by switching you can alter the way the car behaves in terms of steering, throttle, air conditioning and even lighting responses.

Add the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and this will further adjust the dampers and steering and there’s also an additional comfort mode.

It may not be up to the driving prowess of the BMW 5 Series just yet but then again, what is? However, this version of the Superb is easily the best iteration when it comes to road holding. For a big car it feels fairly agile. The steering feels a tad artificial even when you use the driving modes, which is a shame but it is precise.

One of the best in its class, the Superb fares very well when it comes to refinement. Comfort is first class whether you are sitting up front or in the rear. The iteration has grown by 28mm in length and is 47mm wider than the previous version meaning much more space in the cabin.

Jump in to the rear and even six footers will be happy as there is tons of head and leg-room. There are a few Simply Clever solutions thrown in too, such as an optional tablet or phone mount on the rear of the front seats. With this you can control the in-car entertainment while there’s a power socket in the rear of the centre console – always handy for children to keep their gadgets fully charged and of course it’s just as good for big kids to keep their laptops and tablets fully charged.

On the road the Superb has a supple ride and you’ll not notice many undulations as you waft by. Little exterior noise filters through to the cabin so you will be pleased to know that there is minimal road, tyre and wind roar.

If you are familiar with VW Group vehicles the interior of the Superb will not come as a shock. The design is clean and uncluttered while the material are soft to touch. There may be no walnut trim but in truth it’s not needed.

Up front, the driving position is very good and the seats have more than enough travel to find the most comfy seating position. The touchscreen is simple to use and houses all the important entertainment such as DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and satnav.

Five trims are available from launch including S, SE, SE Business, SE L Executive and Laurin & Klement. All Superb models come with alloys, aircon, LED rear lights, Bluetooth, DAB radio and a touchscreen infotainment system.

Move up to the SE grade, this adds 17-inch alloys, dual-zone aircon, rear parking sensors, and cornering front fog lights, Adaptive cruise control, Smartlink, two umbrellas stowed in each of the front doors – handy for our changeable weather.

SE Business adds 18-inch alloys, Alcantara upholstery and front and rear parking sensors and Amundsen satnav.

SE L Executive receives bi-xenon lighting, LED daytime running lights, leather upholstery with heated seats and Columbus satnav, 18-inch alloys, electrically operated boot and drive mode selection.

The flagship Laurin & Klement ishave every bell and whstle imaginable including 18-inch alloys, tri-zone climate control, 10 speaker sound system, switchable ambient lighting, piano black decorative inserts, blind spot detection, lane assist, park assist, keyless entry and start system, tv tuner and virtual pedal (allows you to open the boot handsfree) all fitted as standard.

The Superb may still look saloon-esque, however this version is now a true hatchback. Gone is the Twindoor system used on its predecessor and in comes a traditional hatch.

Don’t worry, these changes do not impinge on the load space, due to its increased proportions in size, the Superb has now an additional 30 litres more in the boot. That takes the total space up to 625 litres with the seats in place. Fold the rear bench flat and the space is vast, the Superb has a class-leading 1,760 litres.

Skoda’s Simply Clever features are back, the boot has Velcro-cargo stays to help secure items from sliding around when on the move. There’s also a magnetic torch in the boot while the electric tailgate can be set to open to a certain height - handy for car parks with low roofs. The Simply Clever features from the previous generation remain such as the ticket holder on the windscreen and the ice scraper in the filler cap.

The most frugal petrol engine is the 1.4-litre TSI producing 148bhp. It averages 55.4mpg although in real world driving we would expect that to drop to the high 40s. CO2 emissions range from 115g/km to 143g/km. On the diesel front, the most efficient engine is the 1.6 TDI with 118bhp and mated to the DSG ‘box. It has a claimed average of 70.8mpg. However, our pick of the engine line-up is the 2.0-litre unit producing 148bhp and mated a manual six-speed gearbox. For a little more oomph, you only lose a claimed 2mpg. CO2 emissions for the derv powered cars range from 105g/km to 160g/km.

Skoda fares well on quality and reliability and scores highly in customer satisfaction surveys. This new Superb should mirror its predecessor in these stakes. Don’t expect many issues as ths car is built using the MQB platform that is also used to build the Skoda Octavia, the VW Golf, SEAT’s Leon, the Audi A3 and many more.

There is little to worry about when buying a Skoda, these cars are first class products – stick to the service intervals and you should have many years of happy motoring.

The materials used on the inside are of a high standard which bodes well especially if you are buying this vehicle as a family car.

EuroNCAP has still to date to test the Superb but Skoda believes just like its predecessor that it will collect five stars. There’s a mass of safety kit on the Superb from seven airbags to electronic stability control, front assist with City Emergency Brake to avoid impacts with pedestrians and other objects and Multi-Collision Brake which controls the car after an impact, blind spot detection and even traffic jam assist.