Skoda Superb
Big hatchback has long been at the sharp end of class. Is it a winner again?
THE Skoda Superb is a previous winner in the family car class at our New Car Awards, and has never been far behind the Insignia at the top of the segment. We’re testing the 214bhp 2.0-litre TSI with a DSG auto gearbox in Sportline trim, costing £30,570.
Design & engineering
UNDERPINNED by the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the Superb shares engines and other parts with many other models, including the VW Passat. But it’s better value than the Volkswagen and is more spacious, too, in line with Skoda’s pragmatic brand identity.
This 2.0-litre TSI turbo model offers plenty of power – the most here, in fact, at 214bhp and 350Nm of torque. There are also manual and DSG automatic options, the latter being the model we’ve got here. Like both rivals, the Skoda features Macpherson struts up front and a multilink rear set-up, so the Superb is good to drive.
The interior is a match for the Mazda 6 in terms of fit and finish, but the Skoda’s dash and centre console layout is cleaner and neater than both rivals’; that’s thanks to the responsive, high-resolution 9.2inch display. This Columbus set-up isn’t standard on our Sportline model, though, and costs £885.
Sportline trim does bring 19-inch alloy wheels, sporty Alcantara seats (which are very comfortable) and some racier exterior add-ons, such as the black boot spoiler you can see in our pictures. There’s also sportier suspension and two levels of stability control that allows launch control to be used, maximising performance from a standing start. Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive dampers are available for £760 with comfort, normal and sport settings.
Driving
THE Skoda glides over bumpy roads thanks to its well-judged set-up, but the dampers never lose control of the body and it copes with potholes very well, too.
The driving experience is a little more detached, but the Superb is still a rewarding car to drive. The steering is precise, so for a big car, the Skoda changes direction well. However, it’s a bit light and there’s very little feel or feedback through the wheel. Damping that takes the edges off bumps and does a good job of keeping the body stable means you can carry impressive corner speed with more composure than in either of its rivals.
Also, the Skoda regains some driver appeal with its performance. With 214bhp and 350Nm of torque, it’s the most powerful model here and put in a very strong showing in our acceleration tests.
Launch control meant the Superb accelerated from 0-60mph in just 7.0 seconds, eight tenths faster than the Insignia and 1.6 seconds up on the 6.
The punchy but refined engine revs smoothly and is helped by the quick-shifting six-speed DSG gearbox. It’s just as smooth as the Mazda’s auto in normal driving, but it’s also much faster when you shift using the paddles behind the steering wheel. The car was quicker from 30-70mph through the gears as well, taking just 5.3 seconds.
Despite the engine’s relatively keen and revvy nature, it’s easy in everyday driving thanks to that torque output. It’s smooth and quiet when you’re not driving quickly and unintrusive at motorway speeds.
Refinement is a strong point for the Superb, too, because wind and road noise are very much in the background on a motorway trip. We’d recommend going for adaptive dampers in this spec with big wheels, because while body control is good, the suspension could do with a little more compliance.
Practicality
IF space is a key commodity in your next new car, then the Skoda Superb is still the top choice in this class.
For a start, the boot is huge; it’s 135 litres bigger than the still-cavernous Insignia’s, and edges the 6 saloon’s by 145 litres. Getting things in and out is easy, too, thanks to the large hatchback opening.
But it’s also about the interior space, because rear-seat passengers are unlikely to ever complain about feeling cramped. There’s lots of light in the back, while head and legroom are excellent. It’s all down to clever packaging, as the Skoda’s footprint is similar to its rivals’, but it manages to provide quite a bit more space inside. Great visibility means it’s easy to drive, although the driving position isn’t as comfortable as either the Mazda’s or Vauxhall’s.
Ownership
SKODA was the best-performing brand of the three here in Driver Power 2018. It ranked sixth in the makers’ chart of our latest satisfaction poll, while its garages finished eighth in the dealer countdown.
Seven airbags are fitted as standard in the Superb, along with autonomous emergency braking and xenon headlights. However, lane-keep assist and blind spot warning, which are both standard on the Mazda 6, are optional extras on the Skoda, as well as the reversing camera and traffic sign recognition.
Running costs
FUEL economy isn’t a particularly strong point for these three large cars, due to their relatively powerful petrol engines, but they’re more efficient than you might think.
The Skoda is the most powerful and thirstiest choice of our trio, if not by much. It returned 32.5mpg on our mixed test, which means owners covering 12,000 miles will spend £2,180 a year on fuel.
A figure of 36.9mpg means the Mazda will cost £1,920 a year to fuel, while the 1.6-litre unit in the Insignia achieved a decent 39.6mpg overall, which translates into a £1,789 annual bill at the pumps.