Skoda Superb Review 2023

It’s difficult to make a case against the Skoda Superb, unless you’re sold on the idea of a higher riding SUV. Even then we’d default to the big, capable Skoda, because it’ll serve you just as well, if not better. Indeed, there’s barely a question the Superb can’t answer, whether it’s in relation to space, comfort, economy, budget and more. Now there’s the plug-in hybrid, there’s even decent battery-only electric vehicle (EV) capability to allow guilt-free school drop-offs with no tailpipe emissions. 

Actually, there’s one area where the Skoda Superb misses out, and that's sportiness. Skoda, sensibly chose not to graft its sporting vRS badge on the Superb, dropping the suspension, upping the power, and adding some contrasting stitching inside - because nobody really wants them to. Need more space? Then the Skoda Superb Estate is the one, but as all-rounders go the Superb is among the very best out there, which pretty much makes it the perfect family car. 

Similar in relation to interior space? That puts the Superb up along with luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class . In the mainstream large family saloon/hatchback sphere its most obvious rival is the Volkswagen Passat. Indeed, compare the brochures for the Volkswagen and the Skoda and you’ll notice that the Superb uses all the same engines, transmissions and even hybrid systems, but wraps it all up in a larger, cheaper package. 

Other mainstream alternatives include cars like the Mazda 6, Volvo S60, Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport and many more, while you might consider their premium alternatives, like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, even if the Superb’s scale is more BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class outside, and the class above inside. 

With a price tag that’s firmly in the mainstream sphere, but scale in the premium large saloon and bigger range, you might think Skoda’s paid for all that extra metal by cutting corners inside. It hasn’t. No, the interior isn’t as stylish to look at or feel as an Audi A6, but it doesn’t disgrace itself. 

On the entry models some of the plastics are a bit harder and shinier than anything you’d find in an Audi, but at the Skoda Superb’s sales heartland – around SE L trim – the interior is lifted to levels that feel and look very good, with fine material quality on all the touch points. The build quality throughout the entire range is very impressive, with every switch, dial and knob all working with satisfying, consistent weighting, the overall impression is one of high quality longevity. 

Skoda sensibly keeps things like the ventilation controls separate from the touchscreen system, so they're easy to feel for when you're driving.

The touchscreen interface also works well, with shortcut buttons making it easy to navigate menus. Skoda Superb S and SE models comes with an 8-inch touchscreen DAB audio system with Bluetooth, USB and SD card connection with voice control and a multifunction steering wheel. Smartlink+ comes as standard and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can mirror your smartphone's display on the car's big screen.

Skoda Superb SE L model's Amundsen system adds built-in sat nav, integrated WIFI and a year’s subscription to Skoda's connected services for things like live traffic updates and fuel prices. 

SportLine Plus and Laurin & Klement Superbs gain the larger 9.2-inch Columbus touchscreen, which is available as an option on SE and SE L models as part of the Technology Pack. Skoda also offers a Virtual Cockpit from SE L upwards. It replaces the conventional instrument pack with a 10.25-inch screen that offers five different views. 

Laurin & Klement models get this digital display as standard and add the range-topping 610W CANTON sound system with 12 speakers, vehicle noise cancellation and 3D surround sound.

The Skoda Superb's dimensions are understandably big, at 4.8m in length and 1.8m wide, but that's what gets you such generous interior space. The back seat will generously accommodate a pair of adults over six feet tall, with ample headroom and acres of legroom, while the large opening doors make getting in pretty easy, too. Like all cars, save a few MPVs, the middle rear seat feels perched, but even tall adults will fit alright.

The Skoda Superb’s boot is massive, being 625 litres in capacity with the seats up, over 1.1 metres long and a metre wide. Being a hatchback it’s easy to pack that space and the boot's square shape lets you make use of all those litres. Fold the rear seats (in a 60/40 split) and the Superb hatchback’s boot offers a vast 1,760 litres of volume. 

That's basically identical to the space you get in the Mercedes E-Class estate – that's right, the estate – which comes from the class above. It's worth mentioning that the hybrid model – which hides battery under the boot floor – isn't quite so capacious with a 485-litre capacity rising to 1,610 litres with the back seats folded. 

Opt for an S, SE or SE L model and, as an option, the front passenger seat can fold flat for carrying lengthier items and you can add additional Isofix points. 

The Skoda Superb is crammed full of handy features like neat boot dividers, an umbrella hidden in the driver's door, an integrated torch that charges in the boot, a couple of boot cubbies and masses of oddment storage throughout the interior.

There’s no real weak spot in the Skoda Superb's engine line up.  The 120 PS 1.6 TDI will suit if you’re after an economical cruiser; its not fast, but you’ll avoid fuel pumps rather well. The petrol 1.5 TSI alternative feels smoother to drive, though isn’t quite as good on fuel, despite its ability to shut down cylinders when they’re not required. 

Diesels have typically been the core engine for cars like the Superb. The 2.0 TDI with 150PS will suit most buyers, with its 9.1 second 0-62mph time being ample and it has plenty of mid-range for overtaking when you're on the move, regardless of whether it’s mated to the six-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission. There’s a more powerful 190PS version, but save your money as the marginal performance gains it brings are offset by reduced fuel economy.

There are more powerful 190PS and 272PS 2.0-litre TSI petrol engines, which offer ever greater performance, but in a car like the Skoda Superb aren’t really necessary.

The hybrid offers a compelling mix of electric-only range, with a 35 miles electric-only range, backed up by a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine. Combined, the electric and petrol motors deliver 218PS, which brings a brisk 7.7 second 0-62mph time. It's only offered with the automatic transmission. 

The Skoda Superb’s big car space and supple ride comfort would all be wasted if refinement wasn’t up to scratch, but the well-rounded Skoda does a decent job here, too. There’s a bit of road noise on the move on poor surfaces, exacerbated by larger wheel sizes, but it’s no worse than any of its rivals in this respect. Engine sounds are nicely dampened, too, with the diesels a bit more vocal than their petrol alternatives, but only at higher revs.

Wind noise is decently contained, too, with only the faintest whisper of it at higher speeds. For the ultimate in refinement the hybrid, when running in EV mode, is super hushed, and even when its petrol engine does kick in it does so seamlessly.

Crash tested back in 2015 by Euro NCAP, the Skoda Superb scored a full 5 star rating. It comes with stability and traction control, ABS brakes, automatic post collision braking system, automatic emergency brakes with predictive pedestrian protection, seven airbags and tyre pressure monitoring. 

Optionally Skoda offers Crew Protection Assist, which includes a pre-emptive system that closes windows, the sunroof and tightens the seatbelts, it also adds side rear airbags for £475 on all. 

SE and above adds a Driver Fatigue sensor, SE L and above all also gain Blind Spot Detection, with a more comprehensive Lane Assist and Blind Spot Detection system also standard on SE L upwards. All offer the option of Traffic Sign Recognition - which displays the current speed limit on the infotainment screen – though at just £90, we’re at a loss as to why it’s not just standard equipment on all. 

Now offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, the Skoda Superb can be run in electric only mode for up to 35 miles, depending on the driving conditions. Expect a mid-20s range in reality, which is enough to cover most commutes. Unlike some, it’s not a stand-alone model, simply being a powertrain choice, offered from SE L trim upwards. 

The Skoda Superb in this form has been around for a few years now, so the fact that it achieved a strong 9.48 rating for reliability in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index is a good sign. Skoda as a brand also came 6th in the overall Satisfaction ranking, so it's fair to say a lot of current Skoda owners are very happy with their cars. 

One issue to look out for is 'kangarooing' on 1.5-litre TSI vehicles fitted with a manual transmission, an issue that affected cars across the VW Group.

The base S model attracts an insurance grouping of 18E, that rising to a 31E for the range SportLine Plus or Laurin & Klement models with the most powerful 272PS turbocharged petrol engine. A 150PS 2.0 TDI auto SE L hatch, our motorway choice, is group 22E, while our short commute, tax-efficient pick, a SE L 1.4 TSI iV plug-in hybrid is group 26E. 

VED bands vary from B to K, with a few versions at the top of the range attracting the £40,000 initial rate VED penalty fee. Those in band K attract a £1,420 initial payment, then £165 annually thereafter, with the plug-in hybrid obviously the cheapest in band B, it costing just £10 to tax. 

Skoda Superb S trim has 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, Smartlink+ (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), Keyless Start/Stop and manual air conditioning, but the Skoda Superb SE is a better bet with 17-inch alloy wheels, manual lumbar support, chrome window surrounds, umbrella holders in front doors with 1x umbrella, dual-zone climate control and a driver fatigue sensor.

Skoda Superb SE L models upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels, full matrix LED headlights with washers plus leather upholstery while SportLine Plus adds 19-inch alloy wheels, SportLine Plus interior and exterior styling, 9.2 Columbus Nav and a sport chassis. The top Skoda Superb Laurin & Klement gets 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front and rear seats and a Canton Sound system