Brand New Škoda Superb 1.5 TSI iV SE Technology DSG 5dr

Skoda's largest model, the Superb, has always been particularly popular in cavernous estate guise. There's no reason to think that things will be any different when it comes to this fourth generation range. Jonathan Crouch analyses this Czech load-lugger.

Ten Second Review

If you want a really big estate car that doesn't come with the kind of premium pricing you'd get with station wagons from the top German brands, then here's not much to touch Skoda's Superb. This fourth generation version is even larger than its predecessor, yet more efficient and better equipped. If you're looking in this segment, you'd probably like one.

Background

Skoda's Superb has always traded on being big. The standard hatch model's key showroom attribute has always been the astonishing levels of rear seat legroom it offers - plus its big boot. The car's always been the perfect starting point then, for the creation of a really huge estate model, something the Czech brand introduced with the second generation version, embellished with the MK3 and continues with here in this much improved MK4 model. This design uses the Volkswagen Group's new MQB EVO platform, which allows it to be bigger, yet still lighter than its predecessor. Sure enough, there's a big 645-litre boot with the seats up and nearly 2,000-litres of space with the rear bench folded down. We're almost into large MPV territory here. Al this from a smart executive-style estate with no frumpy People Carrying connotations. As before, it's priced at the level of a Volkswagen Passat-style 'D-segment' estate, yet offers even more room than you could expect from a much pricier large Executive class station wagon - say a BMW 5 Series Touring or an Audi A6 Avant. In other words, there's plenty to like here.

Driving Experience

As you'd expect, this updated Superb Estate has been fitted out with the latest suite of Volkswagen Group engines and these are all mated to DSG auto transmission, demand for manual gearboxes in cars of this size having petered out somewhat. The petrol range kicks off with a 150PS 1.5-litre TSI EVO unit. Next up is a revised version of the 2.0-litre TSI powerplant with 204PS; and the top petrol powerplant is a 2.0-litre TSI engine developing 265PS, which comes with all-wheel drive as standard. In the diesel line-up, the starting point is a 150PS version of the usual 2.0 TDI unit. Beyond that is the 2.0 TDI 193PS unit, which can optionally be ordered with all-wheel drive. You can also now have a Superb iV plug-in hybrid model, powered by a 1.4 TSI petrol engine that is boosted by an 85kW electric motor. The combined maximum power output of the two power sources is 204PS - which promises to deliver exceptional performance along with significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions. There's up to 84 miles of EV range. On the move, as ever in a Superb, the ride and refinement are exemplary and the dynamic demeanour of the car is sharper than you might expect, thanks to its light, stiff MQB chassis. As a result, the car feels surprisingly agile through bends you'll be able to attack with reasonable gusto thanks to feelsome steering and a standard XDS+ Electronic Differential Lock that reduces understeer and improves stability as you turn. Previous Superb Estates appealed particularly to long distance drivers, offering a solid feel, refinement and journeying comfort - and this one will be no different. Damping can be further improved by the new 'Dynamic Chassis Control Pro' adaptive system, which can provide an almost limo-like ride when set in 'Comfort'. Refinement will be enhanced by the sleeker body which is 10-15% more slippery (a Cd of 0.23 for the hatch and 0.25 for the estate).

Design and Build

At first glance, this fourth generation Superb Estate looks merely a mild evolution over its predecessor. Closer inspection though, reveals some significant changes. For a start, the new MQB Evo platform allows it to become an even bigger car, around 40mm longer and 10mm taller than before (though it's also 15mm narrower). You'll notice changes at the front too, where slimmer LED headlamps (which deliver 40% more light) flank an octagonal grille which dips in the centre to allow a larger Skoda badge to sit at the end of the more sharply creased long bonnet. There's also a shallower windscreen rake and slimmer tail lamps. Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 19-inches. Inside, the cabin redesign is much the same as the one featuring in the second generation Kodiaq SUV. Which means a large 12.9-inch centre screen and a 10-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument display. Prominent at the base of the centre stack are three so-called 'Smart Dials' that control climate and can be programmed to work all kinds of other things, from audio volume to driving modes. All the cabin textiles are 100% recycled; and there are the usual Skoda 'Simply Clever' touches - like a cooling device built into the 'Phone Box' wireless charging pad, a USB port built into the rear view mirror and storage for high-viz vests in the doors. To provide more stowage space, the gear shifter has been moved to the steering column. The Superb has always been known for vast amounts of rear seat legroom and this MK4 model is just as good in that regard - and offers 6mm more headroom. Rear passengers now get a fold-down centre armrest that can extend and slide forwards - which is useful when using the integrated tablet holder. Boot space is rated at 690 litres in the Estate, 45-litres more than the hatchback version and 30-litres more than the previous generation model. That figure grows to 1,920-litres with everything folded. So yes, it's all very practical.

Market and Model

Expect to budget to budget from around £36,000-£50,000 for most versions of this fourth generation Superb Estate, so prices have been massaged a bit over the previous generation model. Spec levels start with base 'SE Technology' trim. But this Skoda still comfortably undercuts its identically-engineered VW Group cousin, the Volkswagen Passat (which is these days available only as an estate). There's a £1,300 premium over the comparable hatch version and expect to need a £40,000 budget if you want your Superb with plusher trim ('SE L') and a mid-level engine. It's just over £41,000 for the Plug-in Hybrid; a PHEV Estate would make an interesting alternative to any number of mid-sized Crossover full-EVs. As with the Enyaq EV, there are a range of interior packages - Skoda calls them 'Design Selections'. With base level trim, you only get rather dour black and grey fabrics, but you can improve on that by choosing option packages entitled 'Loft', 'Lounge', 'Suite Black', 'Suite Cognac', 'L&K Black' and 'L&K Suite Cognac'. Safety provision is a strongpoint. The improved autonomous emergency braking system can now detect cyclists. Plus there's a new 'Crossroad Assist' function that uses radar sensors in the bumper to monitor traffic at blind junctions and issue you a warning if you're about to pull out into the path of another vehicle. You can also now specify up to ten airbags in this car (including two side bags in the back).

Cost of Ownership

For the conventionally-engined models, the economy figures aren't too much different from before. Which means that if you opt for the base mild hybrid petrol 1.5-litre petrol variants, you're looking at about 45mpg on the combined cycle and about 145g/km of CO2. The base 2.0 TDI diesel improves that to around 55mpg and around 135g/km. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the PHEV models are capable of around 84 miles of range before you need to use fossil fuel. Skoda believes that will allow many families to use this car as an EV, given German market research suggesting that 95% of journeys are less than 31 miles long and 99% are shorter than 62 miles. The brand claims that with petrol and electric power sources combined, the Superb's range would stretch to over 620 miles. The PHEV battery now supports DC charging at up to 50kW - which is much faster than the old-shape Superb iV, which was limited to just 3.6kW AC charging. That means a 10 to 80% battery top up will take around 25 minutes, while a new 11kW on-board charger allows full home battery replenishment to take as little as 2 hours. As for servicing across the range, the recommended intervals for all engines are based around a 20,000 mile/2 year regime. And you can budget ahead for maintenance costs by taking out a fixed-price pre-paid servicing plan at point of purchase that covers the first two scheduled garage visits. Finally, while it's certainly true that other rivals better the three year 60,000 mile warranty that Skoda provides, you can extend your cover to four or five years by paying extra. Not that you really need to. The brand regularly tops independent consumer satisfaction surveys: according to real people, there are few more satisfying cars to own.

Summary

There are lots of SUVs and still a few MPVs to tempt family car buyers at the moment, but there's life in the traditional estate car yet. Skoda's Superb Estate might not be the trendiest option your family could choose but its luggage-carrying potential is vast and the rest of the package stacks up very well too. This fourth generation version offers useful steps forward in technology, efficiency and style and for most family customers really would make a more sensible alternative to a much smaller but similarly-priced mid-sized SUV. So there you have it. If you've £30,000 to £40,000 to spend on something spacious but not too frumpy, you'd probably quite like one of these. Your Czech mate? Quite possibly.