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Skoda Superb 2015 Test Drive Review

Date: 30 April 2015   |   Author: John Mahoney

Category: Upper medium
P11D price: £23,435
Key rival: Ford Mondeo
On sale: September 2015
Equipment: 8 airbags, climate control, parking sensors, adaptive cruise, alcantara seats, satnav, autonomous braking, 17-inch alloys
Engines: 125/150hp 1.4, 220/280hp 2.0 petrol; 120hp 1.6, 150/190hp 2.0 diesel
Trims: S, SE, SE Business, SE-L, Laurin & Klement
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch auto

How to make a Skoda Superb in three easy steps. Add the space from a Mercedes S-Class, an Audi A6's build quality, sprinkle in the running costs of a Golf and blend thoroughly.

Three generations on, nothing's changed apart from the new Superb is even bigger than before both inside and out offering, as impossible as it sounds, space now to shame some a big estate car.

Under the bonnet the petrol range kicks off with a 1.4-litre turbo with either 125hp or 150hp. If you need more power there's an automatic-only 2.0-litre turbo with either 220hp or 280hp. 

More relevant for business buyers (fleets snap up 70% of all Superbs) are the diesels. There's just two - a 120hp 1.6-litre that comes with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) automatic or a 2.0-litre with 150hp or 190hp.

Pick of the bunch is the 150hp 2.0-litre with either the manual or smooth-shifting DSG. 

Taking 9.0 seconds to hit 62mph it's not the fastest off the line but the big Skoda helps to make up for that with a 63mpg average.

For the new line-up there's five trims, S, SE, SE Business, SE-L and the luxurious Laurin & Klement. 

Like others, the SE Business is tailored for fleet and adds satnav for a competitive P11D, but even the lower models come generously equipped.

Most impressive is the whole host of new safety kit that's introduced like autonomous braking for in and out of the city that even detects pedestrian. The SE Business also comes with adaptive cruise control. 

Nice touches like umbrellas stored within the driver's and passenger's door (plus a rechargeable torch) hint at the fine attention to detail while cabin quality is at the very top of its class.

Behind the wheel the big Skoda doesn't drop the ball. The 2.0-litre is quieter than ever and the Superb is a comfortable long distance cruiser. The slick manual gearchange is impressive as is the optional, smooth DSG gearbox.

Our car (not UK-spec) had top-of-the-range adaptive dampers that were a little too soft in comfort and normal mode (sport was better) on a bumpier road - a better bet might be the standard set-up. The way the Superb corners is also not quite as tied down as some of its rivals - but it's no disgrace.

We were desperate to do a costs comparisons on the Superb, but they weren't quite ready. For now only that stands in the way of victory. Until then it's shaping up to be a recipe for success.

Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business DSG

Model price range £18,640-£33,840
Fuel consumption 62.8mpg
CO2 (BIK band) 118g/km (21%)
BIK 20/40% per month £82/£164
Warranty 3yrs/60,000 miles
Boot space (min/max) 625/1760 litres
Engine size/power 1968cc/150hp

Verdict


Could be our favourite big car, costs will decide
8/10
  • Spacious
  • Comfortable
  • Efficient
  • Well built
  • Good value
  • Wallowy ride on adaptive suspension
  • Others sharper to drive

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