It is no stretch to say that the new third-generation Superb is the best-looking Skoda ever made - thanks to some wizardry from Chief Designer Jozef Kaban and his team. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s famed MQB platform, and taking aesthetic inspiration from Skoda’s Vision C concept, the new Superb stands 4,861mm long and 1,864mm wide, which is 28mm longer and 47mm wider than the outgoing model.
Available in hatchback and estate body styles from its launch in September – estate models to be revealed in the summer - it goes up against the usual suspects, including the Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo.
As with the previous-generation Superb, there are a plethora of engines to choose from – seven in fact. We tested what is expected to be the best-selling engine derivative, the 2.0-litre TDI 148bhp, in the rather lavish Laurin & Klement (L & K) trim level. The 148bhp variant has as much power as you will ever really need. Plus, it has clear efficiency benefits, with CO2 starting from just 108g/km and you should get over 60mpg. The six-speed manual we tested was very slick, but if you have the option, go for the DSG automatic. This is brilliant.
Out on the road, the Superb is incredibly comfortable, with supple suspension that soaks up even the most adverse bumps. Although the ride is smooth, there is a fair amount of road noise that reverberates around the cabin when you hit imperfections in the road – and we couldn’t help but think the Ford Mondeo is better in this department.
The steering is very similar to the Volkswagen Passat, which means it is precise and has decent feedback, but not quite enough to fully engage you when cornering. It is, however, composed in the corners with good grip and little body roll. The variable driving modes of the Dynamic Chassis Control system unfortunately do not do much to enhance this and, like with many other similar systems, offers an overly light feel with Comfort mode and artificially-weighted feel with Sport mode.
Due to the L & K being the flagship trim, you get everything from sat-nav to a 10-speaker audio system and 18-inch ‘turbine-like’ alloys to piano black interior inserts. Our model also had some dapper beige stitching dotted around the cabin. Overall interior quality is great, with soft-touch materials in all the right areas. The infotainment set-up is also very easy to follow and, thanks to a large 8-inch touchscreen, looks great to boot.
More impressive still is the inclusion of safety features like Traffic Jam Assist. If you go for the DSG ‘box, this system will operate the accelerator for you in slow-moving traffic jams – meaning all you have to do is steer.
Of course, practicality is one of the Superb’s biggest selling points and the new-generation does not disappoint. Anywhere you would want ample space, the Superb delivers. Front passenger room is great, especially when it comes to passenger leg room, and rear passenger space is also top-notch, regardless of how much a front passenger wants to stretch their legs. The boot has also been improved by 30 litres over its predecessor, now standing at 625 litres with the seats up and 1,760 litres with the seats down. It also retains its clean-cut, no-nonsense rectangular shape, allowing for space to be properly utilised from corner to corner.
Going hand-in-hand with practicality is what is now an obligatory, but worthwhile, section of any Skoda review – its ‘Simply Clever’ features. The Superb now has an automatic boot-opening function, activated by waving your foot under the rear bumper, a removable magnetic torch in the boot, cup-holders that allow you to open a bottle with one hand and ridiculously-handy Velcro luggage organisers for the base of the boot. Keep it up Skoda.
As there will be a 4x4 version of the Superb from launch, it is quite likely that a more rugged, off-road-orientated version of the Superb will join the range at some point, no doubt under the ‘Outdoor’ name like the previous-generation Superb and many other current-generation Skoda’s. Although not confirmed, Skoda has said that a “Superb Outdoor model would make sense.”
Starting from £18,640, the Superb is £50 cheaper than the outgoing model – but if you go for the lavish model we tested, it will set you back around £29,000.