We get behind the wheel of the fourth-generation Skoda Superb – and the good news is that it’s better than ever…
Skoda has a reputation for building spacious, safe, well-built, dependable cars that are great value for money, and if ever a car ticked those boxes, it’s the latest Superb.
Available as a hatchback (just ‘hatch’ in Skoda speak) or cavernous estate, it’s a fantastic family choice – especially if SUVs don’t rock your boat.
Various engine options are on offer too, including a diesel, mild-hybrid petrol, regular turbo petrol, and a plug-in hybrid that delivers an all-electric driving range of more than 70 miles.
The first thing you notice about the latest iteration of the Superb is its size. The hatch is 43mm longer and 12mm taller than its hardly small predecessor.
The estate version is 40mm longer than the outgoing model, and at 4.9 metres long, it is very big. Just to put that into context, its footprint is about the same as a Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate.
Of course, the benefit of those bigger dimensions is more interior space. Passengers have always been able to stretch out in the back – now there’s even more room.
Then there’s luggage capacity. The estate’s 690-litre boot (expanding to 1,920 litres with the rear seats down) is one of the largest of any car on sale today. The hatch’s 645/1,795 litres dimensions are pretty impressive too.
But it’s not just the fact that the Superb has grown. It’s also sleeker and various tweaks have been made to improve the aerodynamics, which improves fuel efficiency.
It’s the Superb hatch that’s the subject of this week’s review. My test car was the 1.5 TSI e-Tec 150 PS DSG in SE L trim, which means it’s one up from the entry-level SE Technology trim and it’s fitted with a 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol engine.
Capable of up to 51.8mpg, CO2 emissions are a low 124 g/km, and it’s paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox, while drive is via the front wheels. Packing 148bhp and 184lb ft of torque, it’s not blisteringly fast (0-62mph in 9.2 seconds), but it seems brisk enough off the mark.
The clever bit about this engine is that it’s super-efficient, and I found up to 55mpg economy is possible on long runs, which is very impressive.
Without getting too technical, the mild hybrid system consists of a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery (located under the front passenger seat).
Energy recovered during braking gives the engine an electrical boost or allows the car to coast with the engine completely switched off.
There’s also Active Cylinder Technology which enables the 1.5 TSI to switch off two cylinders when their power is not needed in order to reduce fuel consumption.
A walk through the four trim levels demonstrates how well-equipped the Superb is. Priced from £36,995, entry-level SE Technology comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 13-inch central infotainment display with integrated Sat Nav as well as a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit.
Technology includes a rear-view camera (with washer), adaptive cruise control, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, keyless start/stop, plus wireless mobile charging with an in-built cooling function.
Superb SE L adds larger 18-inch alloy wheels, rear LED lights and LED matrix beam headlights. It also has electric folding and driver side auto-dimming door mirrors with memory function.
SportLine gets extensive gloss black detailing, including 19-inch polished alloy wheels, massage function for the front seats, a lower ride height, Progressive Steering (it delivers a more agile, dynamic feel at speed) and Dynamic chassis control plus, which allows drivers to customise vehicle handling to personal preferences.
Range-topping Laurin & Klement (L&K) features a dark chrome grille surround and rib elements as well as a rear diffuser strip in the same dark chrome material. Inside, there’s a choice of either L&K Suite Black with black leather interior or the lush L&K Suite Cognac Design Selection.
There’s also a Canton sound system and ‘Progressive Dynamic Steering’, which changes the steering ratio depending on how far the wheel is turned, improving handling and agility, especially in curves and at low speeds.
A special mention for those LED matrix beam headlights which allow you to have a high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users.
The intelligent technology uses the camera on the windscreen to detect oncoming traffic, vehicles, people and objects, and shapes the beam around them. Very clever.
The multi-function push-button ‘Smart Dials’ below the infotainment screen work well too, allowing quick access to essentials such as cabin temperature, seat heating, seat ventilation, infotainment volume, fan speed, air direction, smart air conditioning and drive modes.
Inside, there’s more space than ever before, though if I’m honest, I would have preferred the option of a lower driving position.
Other than that, it’s comfortable, visibility is good and the materials (many of them are sustainable) have a quality look and feel.
On the road, the Superb continues to impress. It would be wrong to call it sporty, but it can more than hold its own. My only gripe is the gearbox which has a tendency to hold on to lower gears going downhill.
For the most part, it rides well, absorbing the worst of the lumps and bumps, though the suspension set-up might be on the stiff side for some.
It’s in its element cruising on motorways and A roads, and it’s easy to drive in town too, thanks to light, accurate steering, a tight turning circle and driver assistance gizmos.
The Superb is composed on more challenging roads. It stays flat in faster corners and there’s plenty of grip, but ultimately, it is a substantial car with an accent on economy. Think of it that way and expectations are managed.
It’s refined too, with engine and road noise only seeping into the cabin when the car is pushed.
Disappointingly, there are no drive modes on the entry-level model – instead there’s just the option to switch the gear selector stalk to ‘S’.
If you want more power, or you tow a caravan, then maybe upgrade to a Superb with a 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engine.
Finally, Euro NCAP awarded the Skoda Superb a maximum five stars in its safety tests. Named Best Family Car 2025 in the annual UK Car of the Year Awards, its competitors include the Volkswagen Passat, Peugeot 508 and BMW 3 Series.
Verdict: Hugely practical, clever, well-built and safe, the latest Skoda Superb is a remarkable all-rounder. Whether you want a load-lugger, executive express or large family car, it ticks all the right boxes.
