The new Skoda Superb is a standout in the large sedan and estate car category, offering a blend of practicality, advanced features, and a comfortable driving experience. Whether you need a spacious family car or a comfortable long-distance cruiser, the new Superb delivers. In this review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this latest model, from its innovative design to its driving performance.
Clever Features That Make the Skoda Superb Unique
Skoda has always been known for incorporating thoughtful and practical features into its vehicles, and the new Skoda Superb is no exception. Some of the key features that make it stand out include:
- Hands-free boot opening: With just a foot swipe under the rear bumper, the boot pops open, perfect for when your hands are full.
- Integrated windscreen washer funnel: A small but genius addition that makes refilling washer fluid spill-free, even for those who aren’t particularly handy with car maintenance.
- Umbrella in the door: Skoda includes an umbrella in the driver’s door, perfect for those unexpected rainy days.
- Fuel cap ice scraper: Inside the fuel filler cap, there’s a scraper for frosty mornings, a clever touch that saves you from carrying an extra tool.
- Grippers in the cupholders: These help secure bottles or cups, making it easy to open caps one-handed without any spillage.
Interior Comfort and Tech
The interior of the new Skoda Superb is where the car truly shines, offering a well-crafted and eco-friendly environment. All materials used are recycled, making the cabin both luxurious and environmentally conscious. The centerpiece of the dashboard is a large, easy-to-use infotainment system that responds quickly and allows for seamless control of navigation, entertainment, and connectivity features.
One standout feature is the physical climate control knobs, which offer an intuitive way to adjust temperature and fan speed without fiddling through touchscreens. The digital driver’s display is standard, providing important driving information, although its controls can be a bit confusing at first.
For practicality, the rear center armrest offers a phone holder, allowing passengers to watch videos while on the move, making long journeys more enjoyable. The interior is not only spacious but also offers great storage solutions, such as felt-lined glove compartments and massive door bins.
Spacious and Practical Design
When it comes to space, the new Skoda Superb excels. With a boot capacity of 645 liters, there’s more than enough room for large suitcases, groceries, or even sports equipment. The rear seats can fold down easily using levers in the boot, allowing for even more storage space.
For families, fitting baby seats is a breeze, thanks to easy-to-access ISOFIX points and wide-opening doors. The rear passenger space is impressive, with plenty of legroom and headroom, though fitting three adults in the back might be a bit snug due to the car’s slightly narrower build compared to SUVs.
Five Annoying Features About the Skoda Superb
While the Skoda Superb is an excellent car overall, it does have a few downsides:
- Confusing digital driver’s display controls: The controls for scrolling through menus and adjusting settings aren’t intuitive.
- Lack of adjustable boot floor: In the hatchback version, there’s no adjustable boot floor, making it tricky to store the load cover.
- No plug-in hybrid option for the hatchback: You’ll have to go for the estate version if you want a plug-in hybrid, and even then, the battery reduces boot capacity.
- Optional rear window wiper: Shockingly, a rear window wiper costs an extra £120.
- Low-resolution reversing camera: While functional, the quality of the reversing camera could be better, especially on a premium car like this.
Engine Options and Driving Performance
The Skoda Superb offers several engine choices to suit different needs. These include:
- 1.5-liter petrol with 150 horsepower.
- 2.0-liter diesel options, with either 150 or 193 horsepower, depending on whether you opt for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
All versions come with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which is smooth for the most part but can feel a bit sluggish when pulling away from a standstill. For long motorway drives, the diesel option is a great choice, offering excellent fuel efficiency, averaging around 43 miles per gallon in mixed driving conditions.
The suspension is on the firmer side, but it smooths out at higher speeds, making the car comfortable on long drives. Around town, the Superb’s tight turning circle makes maneuvering surprisingly easy for such a large vehicle.
Verdict: Should You Buy the New Skoda Superb?
If you’re looking for a spacious, well-built, and value-for-money car that’s perfect for long-distance driving and family use, the new Skoda Superb should be high on your list. The 2.0-liter diesel version is particularly impressive, offering great performance, excellent fuel economy, and all the practicality you could need.
