Many a vehicle maker will try to tell you their latest release is superb, and, if you’re in the business of writing about such things, they’ll no doubt go to great lengths to produce a weighty press release to help try to convince you ever further that you should agree with them. Nevertheless, only one manufacture has ever been bold enough to actually stick a badge on one of its boot lids saying such things. I’m talking of course, about Skoda.
Skoda were once very much a luxury motor maker, they first named one of their cars Superb back in the 1930s. Then, along came the Second World War, and then the Iron Curtain. The rest as they say…
What you see before you is the Skoda Superb SE Estate iV, a car very-much instantly recognisable as a that of a product of the modern-day Volkswagen owned Skoda. Think sensible styling, tight shut-lines, practicality over sportiness, and the same minor switchgear as both a VW Golf, and a Bentley Continental, and you won’t go far wrong. What Skoda hope you might also think is that the Superb – especially-so in its commodious estate guise – is the perfect option for those of you who’ve grown weary of, or are looking for an alternative to, driving yet another SUV.
2024 saw the Superb get a gentle face-lift. It now benefits from redesigned front and rear bumpers and lights, and an updated grille. It looks a little more sophisticated, a little more upmarket perhaps, but surely that’s what everyone hopes for after a face-lift, isn’t it? Inside there’s new trim, a new 13 inch infotainment screen, and, get this – three, proper, albeit multi-function, buttons to control the heating, the radio volume, the heated and/or cooled seats, and to select driving modes. Very clever and intuitive those three buttons are too. There’s also a little button on the steering wheel that kills the lane assist, speed limit sign identification system, and ADAS or whatever they call it, and all the unnecessary beeps and bongs that go with it. Hoorah!
In typical Skoda fashion there’s an array of practical touches. There’s an umbrella stored in each front door a-la Rolls-Royce, an ice scraper stored behind the fuel filler flap, a built-in funnel on the windscreen washer bottle, wireless charging, various pockets and cubbies to stop phones, pens, sunglasses and such-like rolling around, and myriad hooks, lashing eyes and cargo nets to help keep everything nicely secure in the Superb’s gargantuan boot. The Superb boasts a 1700 litre load-space with its rear seats folded flat; I’ve seen smaller studio flats. That said, the 640 litres it offers with the rear seats up should be ample accommodation for nearly everybody’s weekly shop, luggage, or Labrador.
You can choose to have your superb powered by petrol or diesel, the former offering the option of mild hybrid technology, the latter in 2.0-litre 4 cylinder form with either 113bhp or 148bhp. The higher powered diesel is an auto, the lower a manual.
Skoda sent me a 1.5 TSi petrol mild hybrid with a combined output (engine + 48V starter generator) of 204 PS (that’s 201bhp in old money), and a seven speed DSG gearbox. And what a lovely thing it was to munch miles in. The set-up is one of comfort rather than sporting prowess, allowing you to drive the Superb all day (I did!) and still feel fresh at the end of your journey. Supportive front seats and a well-insulated and thus very quiet interior also add to the Superb’s relaxed and cosseting feel. Light and direct steering allows you to place the car with confidence and the 7-speed gearbox has a smooth action. The hybrid feels like an electric car, more so than it does internal combustion sometimes, and economy of well over 50mpg seems easily attainable. My average according to the trip computer was 78mpg! Visibility is good in all directions too, so the Superb never actually feels quite as big as it is. You’ll be glad of the parking sensors and cameras when the time comes to park it though.
I’m of an age where I can remember three-bedroomed houses selling for less than the £44,820 Skoda now ask for a Superb. In fact, when I last reviewed a Superb Skoda were asking less than half of that. Nevertheless, I still think, in this day and evermore expensive age, the Superb offers remarkable value for money. It’s hugely capacious, extremely comfortable, economical, handsome, very nicely built, and very pleasing, in a relaxed way, to drive.
The question is: Is it superb?
I’ll let you make your own mind up on that one. I will concede however, that on so many levels, the new Skoda Superb is an extremely likeable car.
Skoda Superb iV SE L Estate
Engine: 1,498cc 16v inline 4 –Cyl petrol, turbo
Transmission: 6 speed DSG auto, Front Wheel Drive
Electric motor: 85kW – 116PS
Combined Power: 201 bhp @ 3500 – 4000 rpm
Torque: 184lb ft @ 1500-3500rpm
0-62mph: 8.1 sec
Max Speed: 136 mph
mpg: 52.4 – 50.7 WLTP combined.
CO2: 123 – 127 g/km
Price: from £44,820 (as tested £49,315)
Many thanks to Clare at Skoda’s UK press office for the loan of the Superb
@bird_liam
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