This month’s road test puts me in the driving seat of the new Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDi 4X4 DSG.
To start, I am not a fan of the ‘estate car’. Yes they are practical and you can carry the world around with you, but I always think they look sort of ‘stretched’. This of course is not unusual with most estates today. Take Peugeot for instance. Most of the estates they build look like the designer lost the will to live when he got to the rear-end.
Of course it’s the same for a lot of manufacturers’, as it’s hard to pull off a decent looking estate car these days. Actually it’s hard to pull off a decent looking car full stop. Take Nissan for instance. I would never buy Nissan because for me they are just plain ugly. Buying a Nissan for me is saying I’m ready for my pipe and slippers….
Moving on, we have all seen the new ‘Simply Clever’ features that Skoda uses in its advertising, and to be honest, the new Superb has a lot to offer a modern driver like style, comfort and practicality. Skoda says that the Superb is there flagship model. I personally believe this to be true.
At the front, the Superb is dominated by the new SKODA logo located above the chrome front grille and aligned with the headlights whose straight lines give it a compact yet dynamic appeal, just like the dynamic window line in the rear doors.
The rear view of the new Superb Estate also displays precision and attention to detail which many would make a complete mess off. Skoda seems to have actually pulled off a neat trick. As an estate this is just as good looking as a saloon. Just look at the photo, every element is in its proper place and perfectly executed.
Inside, as with all Skoda’s, it’s all good. The overall quality and feel inside is refreshing and exceptionally spacious. There is also plenty of standard kit – like a DAB Radio, duel zone climate control, Bluetooth hands free, Bi-xenon lights, AFS, heated front seats, rain sensing wipers, heated front screen and a brilliant Sat-Nav system. That’s not all either, the list just keeps going. The inside of the Superb makes a BMW interior look like it was designed back in 1965
On the road, the Superb is very good indeed – The DSG gearbox linked to the 4X4 system is a peach. You have full control of the car, and the car gives you positive feedback through the steering wheel. It is also very nimble and taut for such a big car.
Space inside the Superb is excellent, easily managing to fit in a large family. The boot space alone is huge 633 litres – extending to 1,865 with all the seats down. Space in the rear is also good. No need for your passengers to fold their themselves into the rear of the new Superb – like you have to in the back of a BMW Mini – Sitting in the back of the Superb is like sitting in the back of a stretch limo.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine is fantastic, and it pulls great in all rev ranges – with a good range of torque (350Nm). The 0-62 time is a very respectable 8.8sec; with a top speed of 135mph. Fuel consumption is good, giving a combined figure of 49.6mpg. Safety also seems paramount for Skoda because the Superb is fitted with; front side airbags, curtain airbags, front active head restraints and drivers knee airbag. It also comes with ABS, MSR, ASR, EDS, & HBA + ESC + EBV etc all as standard.
Another brilliant piece of technology I found useful was the ‘Park Assist’ function. With the press of a button, the system will begin searching for a parking space in a line of cars or obstacles. Once a suitable space is found the car will steer itself into the space, while you control the pedals. I tried this, with great success. It was amazing. How long will it be before we will be able to ask our cars to drive us to the supermarket and back?
To sum up:
I like the Superb a lot; because ŠKODA gives you all the things you will ever want in an estate car. No longer will estate car buyers need to mutter the words ‘Volvo’ when thinking of a good estate car to buy, because there are now two horses in the stable…. And one of them goes really well when the ‘goings good’
For me, the Superb is ‘Superb’ – fun to drive – and has bags of space and equipment inside. This alone is well worth 5 Starts from me.
Engine: 2.0 TDi 170 PS 4X4
Power: 170PS @ 4200 rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1750 – 2500 rpm
Gearbox: 7 speed DSG
0-62: 8.8 sec
Top Speed: 135mph
Economy: 49.6 mpg (combined)
CO2 Emissions: 147 g/km
Price: from £29,950 By Anthony Yates
