The days when Skoda cars were the butt of bad jokes are long gone. The fact is, the Czech company make great cars these days and they should be on everyone’s buying short list of mainstream motors. The Superb (at least until the launch of the upcoming Kodiaq SUV) is the flagship of the range and the flagship’s flagship has got to be the Skoda Superb SE L Executive Estate 4×4 featured here.
It’s Big
The Superb Estate is one of those cars that seems bigger inside than outside. It’s big at the kerb yet presents a sleek profile. At the back the twin exhaust outlets suggest power aplenty and the chiselled front end follows in the Skoda family likeness.
The inside is vast. There’s plenty of room in the front seats and loads of seat and steering adjustment for even the tallest of drivers. Even so, lanky folk will not feel confined in the back either; there’s so much leg and head room.
Even with the interior distances involved there is no need to shout or use semaphore flags because the car remains quiet, even at speed. For such a massive motor that’s a plus. The Skoda Superb Estate is one relaxed cruiser. Wandering around the back the observer will find a large elctric hatch with a low sill that marks the entrance to the boot. Whisper and on a quiet day you can hear an echo.
Up Front
As ever there’s a choice of trim levels to suit most budgets and driving requirements. Whichever, the Superb makes for very safe and efficient family or business transport. The handling is both secure and predictable; this model especially as the four-wheel-drive offers added traction and better stability, a bonus on winter roads.
This isn’t a sports car though. The steering is reasonably precise and well weighted but there’s not a lot of that illusive feel, although frankly you can level that one at most cars these days. Inevitably there’s a bit of lean into corners but the car goes where it is aimed and at least inspires a bit of confidence to crack on. The brakes are notably strong and progressive.
There’s a choice of the usual driving modes; Normal, Comfort, Sport and Individual, adjusted by the touch of a button. The auto ‘box is great giving fast, positive shifts. It’s easy to switch between Drive/Sport by way of a flick of the DSG gear shift or, alternatively, the paddles can be selected although they didn’t add much to the experience.
The 8” touchscreen is bright and clear and the functions are easy to use. There’s the usual collection of goodies; Bluetooth, UB, climate and much else all shown on the specification below.
On The Road
There’s a choice of power plants as ever. High-mileage business users (BIK is 27%) will opt for one of the diesels but there’s a lot to be said for the lively and responsive petrol engines on offer. The tested car came with a 2.0L TSI punching out a mighty 276bhp (164g/km emissions) through a six-speed auto. If parsimonious petrol consumption is the preferred driving option then this is not the engine for you.
If however you want a car that overtakes at warp speed, then hand over around £32k to your dealer and proceed to take off up the road like a scalded cat. The catch inevitably is an average fuel mileage of thirty or slightly less if you get carried away.
More spacious than the BMW 5-Series or Mercedes E-Class estate cars, it competes very well with cars in the next price bracket. In short, it’s a bargain. If a huge family car is needed but you can’t afford the asking price of this model then the entry level 1.4L comes in at around £20,000 and you would be hard put to get a car of this size for less.
The Skoda Superb SE L Executive Estate 4×4 is fast, practical, reliable and, crucially, adds some fun to family motoring.
Geoff Maxted
