Skoda Superb review

It sounds a bit of a cliché, but the Skoda Superb really does live up to its name. If you want a roomy, comfortable car that can easily carry five people and their luggage, then it ticks all those boxes. It offers a wide range of engines, a vast interior and a relaxed driving experience. This generation first launched in 2013, but it still deserves a place on your family car shopping list.

The Superb comes as a five-door hatchback or an even more practical estate. Under the skin, the Superb shares technology with the Volkswagen Passat, making that car a direct rival. Other options in the class include the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, Mazda 6 and Peugeot 508. Looking further afield, the VW Arteon is a sportier looking family car based on the Passat, while compact executives such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class are also worth considering. Of course, the popularity of SUVs puts the Superb under added pressure, with plenty of high-riding options available in this sector.

Skoda has done well to disguise the Superb’s huge dimensions. It’s almost five metres long, which translates into a huge amount of space inside that rivals luxury chauffeur-style cars. The boot can carry 625 litres of luggage, while dropping the bench increases this to 1,760 litres – more than many estate cars. It feels just as spacious up front, while the ‘Simply Clever’ solutions ensure daily life isn’t too much of a grind, with neat storage ideas and some useful touches.

The model line-up ranges from basic SE to luxurious Laurin & Klement versions, plus there’s the racy looking Sportline Plus option. As a result of this broad spread, prices range from being similar to compact hatchbacks, all the way to matching some executive models. But you do get a lot for your money.

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The Superb’s interior has a modern yet eminently sensible design and layout, high-quality materials and comfortable seats. Skoda has loaded it with all the tech you’re likely to need, and every Superb comes with a touchscreen infotainment system that’s slick and easy to use. Top-end models are glitzier, with huge screens, fully digital instruments and Matrix LED headlights.

The engine range is broad, with varying levels of economy and performance on offer. Petrol engines include 150hp and 200hp units, plus a power-packed 280hp option that comes with four-wheel drive. Diesel power comes from 150hp or 200hp 2.0 TDI units – the latter of which can be had with four-wheel drive – or there’s a tax-busting plug-in hybrid Superb iV on offer, too.

Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the Skoda Superb including its practicality, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.