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Skoda’s flagship family car becomes posher, cleverer and larger. Does it still tick all the boxes? Lawrence Allan delves deeper.
Things you'll like
- Huge amount of space inside
- Still good value overall
- Comfortable, with wide engine range
Things to consider
- Not as sharp to drive as a 3 Series
- Some details let quality feel down
- Plug-in hybrid is estate-only
What is the Skoda Superb Estate?
The fourth generation of Skoda’s bang-for-your-buck superstar, available in hatchback and estate forms – unlike the estate-only Volkswagen Passat on which it’s based.
For over 20 years now the Skoda Superb has delivered large executive car levels of space and comfort for the price of a well-specced Golf. The first generation was essentially a Mk4 Passat with a stretched wheelbase, but it’s come on a bit since then.
Hugely popular across Europe with everyone from taxi drivers to the police, the Superb has survived the culling of large, non-SUV family cars that has seen rivals like the Vauxhall Insignia and Ford Mondeo disappear from showrooms. Despite being overshadowed in sales terms by the Kodiaq SUV, it very much still has its place.
And while it isn’t quite the astounding bargain it once was, this latest model is still good value and more complete than ever. Improved technology, more equipment, a broad range of engines and a super-efficient plug-in hybrid option aim to keep this new version on the radar for buyers.
But does the latest Superb still live up to its name in reality? We’ll find out in this in-depth review of the Skoda Superb Estate.
Verdict: is the Skoda Superb a good car?
Overall, we reckon the Skoda Superb is a great purchase if you’re looking for lots of space for a relatively small outlay. It’s also mostly convincing as an executive car thanks to a plush ride and low noise levels, while the improved tech is a bonus. A wide engine range, including a plug-in hybrid with class-leading electric range, is the icing on the cake.
Pricing, specs & rivals
Core to the Skoda Superb Estate’s appeal is the bang for your buck it offers, and although prices have risen in the last few years that still applies. It usefully undercuts premium alternatives despite them being considerably smaller and less practical.
At the time of writing (May 2025) prices start from £37,225 for the 150hp 1.5 TSI e-TEC mild hybrid petrol in SE Technology trim. Although that’s a full £1,300 more than the equivalent Superb hatch, it’s around £2,600 less than the equivalent VW Passat estate. It’s also thousands cheaper than the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A5 Avant and a massive £10,000 less than the cheapest Mercedes C-Class Estate.
Switching to the 150hp 2.0 TDI diesel adds £505 to the list price, while the plug-in hybrid version sits at £41,575 in estate form (you can’t yet have the PHEV as a hatchback).
Stepping up to SE L trim raises the Superb Estate’s price to £580 above the crucial £40k list price threshold where the ‘Luxury Car Tax’ VED add-on is applied. This trim also gives you the choice of the lower-powered 2.0 TSI petrol (£42,405) and the higher-powered 4x4-equipped diesel (£44,820).
Sportline spec adds a substantial £3,240 to each engine choice, while flagship L&K trim is only available with more powerful engines and kicks off from £46,320.
In terms of standard kit, SE Technology is a lot less sparsely equipped than it used to be, with 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, wireless phone charging, heated front seats with a massaging function and adaptive cruise control.
SE L brings 18-inch alloys, ventilated and electrically adjustable ‘sports comfort’ front seats, matrix LED headlights, an electric tailgate and ambient lighting.
SportLine trim goes for style upgrades with 19-inch alloys, 15mm lower suspension, black exterior trim detailing, sports seats, black headlining, carbon-effect trim and stainless steel pedals, among other bits.
Finally top-spec L&K (Laurin & Klement) adds dark chrome trim inside and out, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen, park assist, a 360-degree camera, a Canton sound system upgrade and adaptive dampers as standard.
Rivals
Mainstream rivals for the Skoda Superb Estate aren’t as numerous as they once were. Both the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia are no longer around, while the Mazda 6 is on a leave of absence until a new, electric version arrives.
With few other large saloon and estate models of this ilk, the Superb’s main rivals are the now estate-only Volkswagen Passat, the Peugeot 508 SW, and the more left-field Citroen C5 X. But there are plenty of premium estates including the BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A5 Avant, Mercedes C-Class Estate and Volvo V60.
The problem for these premium brands is that the Superb offers considerably more space than all of them. In practicality terms alone it’s more comparable with a BMW 5 Series or Audi A6.
Skoda Superb: Interior comfort, quality & technology
Those familiar with the interior of the last Skoda Superb should be happy with the upgrades in the new car. Visually it’s a lot more modern, with an interesting design combining different surface textures and neat vertical slats for the air vent portion of the dash.
Despite this, and the obvious touchscreen dominance, there’s plenty that’s familiar. The layout of the controls and switchgear – including rotary dials for the climate functions and proper physical steering wheel buttons – is as intuitive as ever. Those dials can also be quickly switched to control the heated seats, stereo volume and drive mode, handily.
Quality is also very good for the most part, particularly in higher-end trim levels. We like the fabric finishes on the dash and doors and chromed elements livening it up, while the felt-lined glovebox and door pockets add a touch of class. However, those rotary climate controls feel surprisingly cheap, and there’s the odd finish that isn’t quite as nice as in a VW Passat, never mind premium competitors.
Still, the fundamentals are sound. The driving position is comfortable, with plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and seats. The front seats come with an extendable seat base, four-way lumbar adjustment and even a basic massaging function as standard. Meanwhile all-round visibility is good, and all-round sensors with a rear-view camera are standard to help mitigate the car’s length.
Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity
Every Superb comes with a 13-inch central touchscreen with built-in sat-nav along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Passat gives you the option of upgrading to a huge 15-inch screen, but the Skoda’s display is large enough for most people.
It’s also clear, with nice graphics and intuitive menus (plus customisable shortcuts). It’s very responsive, too, marking a great improvement on VW Group software of only a few years ago. Even Skoda’s ‘Laura’ voice control system is easy to get on with. A nice detail is a screen cleaning block under the centre armrest, allowing you to easily remove fingerprints.
You’ll also find a 10.25-inch instrument display in every Superb, which is one of the best systems out there. Clear, configurable and intuitive to operate via physical wheel buttons, it also has a great navigation display. If you want a head-up display it’s optional across the range, but not necessary.
In terms of connectivity, you’ll find four USB-C ports across the front and rear able to dole out 45 watts of power – for speedier phone charging. You also get a wireless phone charging pad (not the two-phone pad on the Kodiaq, though).
The standard speaker system provides acceptable sound quality, but audiophiles will enjoy the 14 speaker, 725-watt Canton system as standard in L&K versions (and optional across the range).
How practical is the Skoda Superb?
The Mk4 Skoda Superb is even larger than its already substantial predecessor. At 4,912mm in length, 1849mm in width and 1481mm in height, it’s a full 50mm longer and slightly taller, if a touch narrower.
That means the term ‘limo-like’ can once again be used to describe the Superb’s interior space. There’s plenty of room up front for taller or broader drivers, and decent width between the two front seats.
But it’s the rear where the real abundance of room is. There’s a vast amount of legroom, far more than any similarly priced rival, and enough headroom that six-footers are well clear of the headlining. In this respect the estate is better than the Superb hatchback.
There’s also enough width in the rear for three adults to sit in relative comfort, despite a higher mounted centre seat and a hump in the floor to straddle.
Without the burden of having to accommodate an extra row of seats the Superb has more legroom than a Kodiaq SUV, and is on a par with the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class for accommodating passengers.
Storage and boot space
Skoda hasn’t forgotten that a large family car needs plenty of place to store odds and ends. The Superb has plenty, including big felt-lined door pockets, a large felt-lined glovebox and a huge centre console space incorporating a phone charging area, a pair of cupholders and a deep under-armrest cubby.
Move into the rear and you’ll findmore large door bins, dual pockets on each front seatback and a centre armrest containing covered cupholders. The cover even flips up to serve as a tray holding a phone or tablet in an ideal position to watch videos – great for keeping kids occupied on long drives.
Boot space has always been a key selling point of the Superb estate, and it’s bigger than ever, offering 690 litres of capacity. That’s the same as you get in a Passat, but a substantial 120 litres more than the BMW 5 Series Touring.
It’s a large and useful space, with a big tailgate opening and lots of hooks and straps to stop items rolling about. Our only gripe is that a height adjustable boot floor is optional rather than standard as you’d expect, but it’s reasonably priced.
With it fitted you get a nice flat floor when the seats are folded, revealing a huge 1920 litre space. It’s a pity you don’t get 40/20/40 split-folding seats like a 5 Series Touring, but the Superb’s 60/40 split is joined by a ski hatch to load long items through.
It’s worth noting that the Superb PHEV loses quite a lot of boot capacity, down to 510 litres and 1,770 litres respectively. Some plug-in rivals like the Peugeot 508 SW don’t have this issue.
Performance & drive: What is the Skoda Superb like on the road?
The Skoda Superb’s engine range is quite broad, particularly compared to the Volvo V60 which only has a single mild hybrid petrol engine on offer.
The entry-level Superb engine is a 150hp 1.5 TSI petrol unit. Boosted by mild hybrid assistance, it’s reasonable smooth and delivers entirely adequate performance for most needs. Just bear in mind that it’ll need working hard if you’re planning on using the Superb’s huge load capacity often.
Putting modern sentiment towards diesel aside, the 150hp 2.0 TDI unit feels more effortless. It might have the same outright performance, but the substantial extra torque means it feels stronger in normal driving and better suits the big Skoda.
There’s a 193hp version of the 2.0 TDI adding four-wheel drive which will be great for towing a caravan, but might be overkill if you just potter about town or cruise on the motorway.
The 204hp 2.0 TSI petrol matches the BMW 320i Touring performance-wise, and feels reasonably brisk for such a large, non-sporty car. The temptation to go the whole hog and opt for the undercover police-spec 265hp version, which adds four-wheel drive, is high. It’s fast enough to trouble hot hatchbacks while remaining extremely quiet and smooth.
The Superb iV PHEV is probably the best of both worlds. It might not be as lusty as the 2.0 TSI, but it’s nearly as quick in the real world yet offers super smooth electric power and lower running costs.
All Superb’s feature a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox (bar the six-speed PHEV) with no manual now offered. It’s a decently smooth and decisive gearbox for the most part, but can be a bit sluggish to pick a gear on kickdown and when pulling away smartly from a junction.
Power, 0-62mph times
- Superb 1.5 TSI e-TEC: 150hp/ 9.2 secs
- Superb 2.0 TDI: 150hp/ 9.3 secs
- Superb iV PHEV: 204hp/ 8.1 secs
- Superb 2.0 TSI: 204hp/ 7.4 secs
- Superb 2.0 TDI 4x4: 193hp/ 7.6 secs
- Superb 2.0 TSI 4x4: 265hp/ 5.7 secs
Ride and handling
You can have your Superb Estate with standard suspension, or option Skoda’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) bringing adaptive dampers. The latter is well worth considering.
Not that a Superb without it is a poor relation. It still rides plushly, smothering low-speed potholes and speed bumps well and dealing with gnarly surfaces at higher speed excellently. Even with larger wheel options a base level of strong comfort is there.
That softness translates to a fair bit of body roll in cornering, though the Superb remains controlled with accurate steering and plenty of grip. A BMW 3 Series Touring it isn’t, but most family buyers would prefer the Skoda’s comfort level.
Opting for DCC gives you a ‘slider’ control on the touchscreen allowing you to choose from multiple stiffness settings. At the softer end, the Superb’s ride even more cossetting than it is without DCC fitted, but firm things up (or activate Sport mode) and body lean is noticeably reduced. Again, it’s no 3 Series, but it’s pretty accomplished nonetheless.
Noise and refinement
The Superb Estate seems to be just as quiet as the Passat at a cruise, with commendably low levels of wind noise and road rumble even on larger wheel options. The 2.0 TSI engines are also extremely refined at all speeds, but the 1.5 TSI petrol gets a bit droney under acceleration and the diesels are slightly grumbly at low speeds.
The plug-in hybrid is, of course, exceptionally refined when on electric power. The petrol engine isn’t too noisy when it kicks in, however, and the electric assistance means it needs revving less than the regular 1.5 TSI.
Euro NCAP: is the Skoda Superb a safe car?
The Skoda Superb Estate hits the safety standard we’d expect to see for a new large family car, receiving the maximum five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP for both saloon and estate variants.
Its very strong category scores of 93% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child protection, 82% for pedestrian protection and 80% for safety assists is identical to the scores of the VW Passat (showing how closely related they are underneath).
Occupant protection is actually better than the much more expensive BMW 5 Series Touring, for reference. And there’s certainly no shortage of standard safety assistance tech including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and safe exit warning.
On top of that front and rear cross-traffic alert and Swerve Support, which can increase the steering angle if an imminent frontal collision is detected. You can also have up to ten airbags in the Superb, but the rear side airbags are part of an optional safety pack.
Fuel economy and running costs
One of the reasons you might choose the Skoda Superb over the similarly practical Kodiaq is fuel efficiency: that lower, more aerodynamic body makes a real difference.
The base 1.5 TSI petrol, with its mild hybrid system allowing the car to cut the engine and coast the minute you lift of the throttle, manages 52.3mpg on the WLTP combined test. That’s up from 47.3mpg in the Kodiaq with the exact same engine.
Similarly, the 150hp 2.0-litre diesel Superb promises 57.6mpg, almost 5mpg more than the Kodiaq. Both of those figures will increase if you move away from SE Technology trim into the higher trim levels with bigger wheels.
The 204hp 2.0 TSI takes a considerable MPG hit over the 1.5 petrol, down to 40.9mpg combined. The more powerful 265hp, 4x4 version drops that to 36.2mpg, so probably isn’t the best choice for higher mileage drivers.
The top-spec 193hp diesel, again with all-wheel drive, manages 47.9mpg combined – a 10mpg hit over the lower powered model, but not a bad figure given the performance.
Those figures are all identical to the VW Passat, but slightly less than smaller premium rivals due the the Superb Estate’s extra bulk.
It’s worth noting again that, if you opt for a Superb with an RRP (list price) of £40,000 or over then you – and any future owner – will be stung by an additional £425 a year VED car tax on top of the £195 standard rate from the second to the sixth year of the car’s life. That includes all plug-in hybrid versions.
Skoda Superb Estate iV PHEV: electric range and charging
Those tax costs diminish the estate-only Superb PHEV’s appeal to private buyers somewhat, but it’ll prove a hit for company car users thanks to dramatically lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax costs than petrol or diesel versions.
The potential fuel savings are huge, too – depending on how you use it. The Superb iV PHEV manages 706mpg combined officially, a remarkable figure that’s exactly double what the recently updated BMW 330e Touring manages on the same economy test.
You can thank the bigger 25.7kWh battery pack for that. It enables an outstanding electric range on a charge of 84 miles – 9 miles more than the equivalent Kodiaq, which is already a class-leading big SUV for range.
Of course, the fuel economy figure depends entirely on your regular journeys being almost always within that electric range. As soon as the engine fires up (as it does for only a small period on the fuel economy test) you’ll see your average miles-per-gallon plummet. Expect roughly 50mpg when the battery if fully depleted, however.
A key benefit of the Superb PHEV is the ability to use DC rapid charging along with the usual, slower AC charging. Bringing charging speeds of up to 50kW, this means you can replenish the battery in less than half an hour. That’s seven times faster than if you used a 7kW home wallbox.
Skoda also gives the Superb iV an eight year, 100,000-mile battery warranty, guaranteeing it will retain at least 70% of its charge level during that period.
How much does the Skoda Superb cost to insure?
The Superb is likely to be cheaper to insure than the related VW Passat if insurance groups are anything to go buy. The range kicks off from group 23 for the entry-level 1.5 TSI e-TEC in SE Technology trim, rising by a group or two for higher trim levels or the diesel engine options.
The 204hp 2.0 TSI sits in insurance group 29 regardless of trim level, the iV plug-in hybrid sits between groups 29 and 30 and the most powerful diesel sits in group 31. The most expensive version to insure is the 265hp 2.0 TSI petrol, sitting in group 34. For comparison, the Superb’s insurance group line up closely with the Peugeot 508.
Skoda Superb FAQs
Is the Skoda Superb worth buying?
We reckon the new Skoda Superb is an excellent purchase, being good value, hugely spacious, high-tech and comfortable to drive.
Which model Skoda Superb is best?
Our pick of the range is either the 1.5 TSI petrol or 2.0 TDI diesel in mid-level SE-L trim. It provides all the kit you’d want, with good fuel economy and sufficient performance.
Skoda Superb: What does L&K stand for?
L&K stands for Laurin & Klement, original name of the Czech car and bike manufacturer and the surnames of the company founders. Laurin & Klement, founded in 1895, was originally a bicycle manufacturer, and moved to cars in 1905. The company was renamed as Skoda Auto in 1925. The L&K tag is used for Skoda’s most luxurious trim level today.
