Review - SKODA Superb

This is a shame, considering that Skoda is actually releasing some of the most competitive products to the Australian automotive landscape, often packaged with a heap of features and prices that undercut the European establishment time and time again. 

Skoda’s latest-generation Superb is a great example of this strategy in practice, coming packed-to-the-brim with features, a choice of powerful engines and a heap of practicality that rivals the space on offer in large SUVs, while remaining competitively-priced for a premium European vehicle. 

The Superb goes up against the likes of the Mazda 6 Touring, Volkswagen Passat, Peugeot 508, Volvo S60, Kia Stinger, and the Lexus IS, so with competition like this, it really needs to shine to win over buyers. With this in mind, how well does the Skoda Superb perform as a daily driver, family car and in the higher-spec model, a sports sedan? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $49,090

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SKODA Superb (STYLE) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check SKODA Superb car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Skoda Superb range kicks off from $49,090 for the entry-level 162TSI Style sedan, with the wagon variant priced at $50,790. From here, the range moves to the Superb Sportline 206TSI, which costs $60,390 for the sedan and $62,090 for the wagon variant. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the Skoda Superb Have?

The Skoda Superb comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, and receives automatic Matrix LED headlights, fog lights and daytime running lamps, a powered boot lift, leather and alcantara upholstery, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and start, LED ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, 9.2-inch infotainment system fitted with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation paired with an eight-speaker sound system, automatic wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and rear privacy glass. 

Opting for the range-topping 206TSI Sportline adds a set of upgraded 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as a set of sport seats, adaptive chassis control with adaptive dampers, a rear spoiler, black exterior highlights, aluminium pedals, heated front and rear seats, upgraded 12-speaker Canton sound system and a performance monitor with in-built lap timer. 

Skoda’s optional Premium Package - priced at $4,500 - adds a set of adaptive dampers, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, semi-autonomous parking assistance, DAB+ digital radio, upgraded steering wheel with paddle shifters as well as a 12-speaker Canton sound system. 

Range Features: 

• 19-inch alloy wheels

• Matrix LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• 10.25-inch digital driver’s display 

• 9.2-inch infotainment system 

• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Satellite navigation
  Reversing camera 

• Hands-free boot lift 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Eight-speaker sound system 

• Leather and alcantara upholstery

• Three-zone climate control 

• LED ambient lighting

• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror 

• Adaptive dampers (206TSI Sportline) 

• Leather/alcantara sport seats (206TSI Sportline)

• 12-speaker Canton sound system (206TSI Sportline)

• Semi-autonomous parking assistant (206TSI Sportline)

• 12-speaker Canton sound system (206TSI Sportline)

• Aluminium driving pedals (206TSI Sportline)

• Heated front and rear seats (206TSI Sportline)

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted gear-levers (206TSI Sportline)

SKODA Superb Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

Straight out of the box, the entry-level Skoda Superb 162TSI sedan and wagon have been designed to be smooth, relaxing and incredibly user-friendly cars to pilot around town and on longer journeys. As a result, the base model Superb is one of the most comfortable options for those looking for daily commuter in and around town, while absolutely eating up highway kilometres on longer journeys. 

Power is put to the road via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic which offers rapid shifts at speed, and behaves itself quite nicely while driving slowly around town. Thanks to its torque-filled engine, the Superb, even in its cheapest form, offers a smooth, seemingly endless wave of acceleration that makes picking up speed an effortless, relaxed task. 

On the road, the base model Superb is near faultless, and offers a ride quality that perfectly mimics that on offer in its more expensive rivals. The suspension system has been designed to soak up the large bumps that frequent on Australian roads, while offering a silky smooth ride quality in town and on the highway. The comfortable suspension platform does translate to some significant body roll when you’re pushing it through the corners, but in the context of your daily drive, you’ll rarely get to this point. 

While it might be a large car, it remains user-friendly for drivers with a heap of visibility and a lightweight steering rack that makes it easy to maneuver in low speed traffic and while parking. One issue that does rear its head from time to time, however, is the large turning circle, which is something to take into account. Once you’ve adjusted, though, the Superb is perfectly accessible to even new drivers thanks to its smooth, accommodating driving dynamic. 

Stepping up to the 206TSI adds a significant bump in power, as well as a set of adaptive dampers for the suspension which work wonders in minimising the amount of body roll through the corners. On the road, the 206TSI is exciting and rapid, receiving the same DSG gearbox that throws down a heap of power to the road and gives the Superb two distinctly different personalities. While it remains an extremely comfortable and effortless cruiser, with the push of a few buttons, it transforms into a high-speed grand tourer that isn’t afraid of some serious performance driving. 

All up, then, the Superb does an astonishingly good job at ticking all the boxes when it comes to comfortable, relaxed commuting, while the performance version offers drivers the opportunity to step on the throttle and experience a level of excitement you might not have anticipated from a Skoda. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Space, practicality and occupant comfort are all areas that the Skoda Superb range continues to excel, in both the sedan and wagon variants, to the extent that it rivals what is on offer in significantly larger SUVs. 

The front of the Superb welcomes the driver and front passenger into a relatively straightforward cabin design that features a number of design elements taken from Skoda’s parent-company Volkswagen. This is a good thing, considering European interior designs offer a practical yet premium aesthetic with a host of practical touches. In this sense, the Superb is no different, offering a large and spacious cabin with enough room to stretch out and get comfortable, while eating up the loose items that families can so-quickly accumulate while being packed with features. 

In the front, you’ll find practical touches like an air-conditioned storage area underneath the arm rest, a set of cup holders, a folding tray behind the gear lever for smartphones, added storage underneath the passenger seat, a spot for your sunglasses, as well as a large glovebox and the usual set of door bins either side, except these are lined with fabric to stop any banging against hard plastic. The driver and passenger also benefit from a large, comfortable set of seats, with a heap of adjustment in the driving position to get perfectly comfortable. 

The good news keeps coming when you get to the rear of the cabin, which offers an exceptionally large second row of seating. Kids, teenagers and adults alike will have absolutely no problem getting comfortable in the back of the Superb, which offers a tonne of head and legroom for long journeys, in a rear cabin that matches and in some cases out-classes what’s on offer in a large SUV. There’s also a folding armrest with in-built cupholders, as well as access to the boot. Families will also be glad to learn the ISOFIX anchors are easily accessible, and the Superb’s boot has absolutely no problem accommodating even the bulkiest of child seats. 

Where the Superb really shines, however, is the sheer amount of cargo you can fit into its boot. In the sedan, the Superb can eat up 625L of cargo, which expands to 1,760L with the rear-seats folded down, while wagon variants of the Superb can swallow up to 660L of cargo and 1,950L with the second-row folded. 

This means that the Superb is one of the best options for families looking for a practical sedan or wagon. If you’re looking for a car that rivals the space and practicality on offer in an SUV, the Superb range more than delivers when it comes to offering a family-friendly platform.

Is it Safe? 

The Skoda Superb range has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five star safety rating, scoring 86 out 100 for adult and child occupant protection, 71 for vulnerable road user protection and 76 for safety assistance technologies. 

As standard, the Superb range comes fitted with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lake-keep assistance, front, side and curtain airbags as well as driver’s knee airbags. This means that the Skoda Superb range comes fitted with a huge number of active safety technologies that other brands would either limit, or require an added premium for. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Skoda Superb range offers pretty impressive fuel economy figures when you take into consideration its size, weight and the performance on offer from its range of turbocharged engines. The entry-level 162TSI sedan and wagon variants are rated at 7.1L per 100km and 7.2 L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the 206TSI Sportline sedan and wagon are rated at 8.0L and 8.1L per 100km respectively. 

Our Verdict: Is the Skoda Superb Worth it?

While sedans and wagons might have been overtaken and left in the dust by their bigger SUV siblings, cars like the Skoda Superb are a much-needed reminder that the needs of your family can be met by this segment of the market. The sheer level of space, comfort and the relaxing driving dynamic on offer in the entry-level Superb 162TSI is well-worth considering, while the impressive two-toned personality of the 206TSI strikes a refreshing balance between a family vehicle and an outright sports car. 

If you’re worried about making any sacrifices in terms of space or practicality, we’d encourage you to bring your family for a test drive to see how much space is on offer in the Superb’s platform. In a number of cases, it not only matches what’s on offer in a large SUV, it actually out-performs them. 

If the Skoda Superb isn’t already on your shortlist, make sure you add it immediately. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. 12-month/15,000km service intervals 

3. 625L of boot storage in sedan; 660L in wagon variant 

4. 7.1L per 100km fuel economy for base sedan; 8.0L per 100km in 206TSI

5. Five star ANCAP safety rating 

Pros

• Smooth engine and transmission combination 

• Silky-smooth suspension 

• Exceptional interior space and practicality 

• Massive boot capacity  

Cons

• Uninspiring cabin in base form

• Large turning circle 

• Kerb weight is noticeable without adaptive dampers 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8.5/10

SKODA Superb Competition