Skoda Superb Estate (2010 - 2013) review

As is often the case with big cars, we think the Skoda Superb estate looks better than the hatchback. Everything behind the back doors is new, and the simple tailgate design, subtle rear spoiler and shark-fin aerial give the Superb the elegant looks Skoda was after. Viewed from the front, the grille and headlights achieve a sophisticated, no-nonsense look.

Sit in the driver’s seat and two things hit you. The first is the understated quality of the dashboard. Then, you look back over your shoulder and the space inside the car makes your jaw drop. Rear passengers enjoy incredible legroom, and the boot is vast too. Quality is on a par with Audi, from the fascia to the touch-screen multimedia system and controls. If Skoda employs cost-cutting techniques, they aren’t evident in the cabin.

The Skoda Superb estate scores maximum points here. Its 633-litre boot makes a Mondeo Estate’s 542 litres seem small. Fold the rear seats down and spaced is upped to 1,865 litres. The boot is light to open and close, while the loading lip is low and wide. There’s also minimal wheelarch intrusion into the load space. Other features worth a mention include an LED torch which can be unclipped from its charger in the boot and carried with you, or magnetically attached to the car, while an umbrella holder is concealed in the left-hand rear door.

You’d forgive the Superb for being average to drive, because it’s just so practical. The fact it’s so accomplished out on the road, is what turns the Superb estate from a good car into a great one. It doesn’t feel as big as you’d expect from the driver’s seat, its well-balanced and composed chassis shrugs off all roads and conditions with ease. We drove cars fitted with a manual six-speed gearbox and semi-automatic DSG transmission. The manual is smooth and has well-chosen ratios for economical cruising, while the DSG is effortless to use, especially in stop-start traffic.

Although some of the Superb’s engines might appear to be rather small for such a big car, they all provide ample power for the job. The smallest petrol engine, a 1.4-litre unit, generates 123bhp and 148lb/ft of pulling power – enough for a 125mph top speed and 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds. The 1.8TSI changes this to 137mph and 8.6 seconds while the thirsty 3.6 V6 can manage 155mph and 0-62mph in just 6.5 seconds. There are also two diesel engines offered, displacing either 1.6 or 2.0 litres. While the smaller unit puts out 103bhp, the bigger engine comes in 138bhp or 168bhp forms, to give top speeds of 129mph or 137mph respectively.

The cleanest Superb hatchback is the 1.6TDI Greenline, which emits an amazingly low 114g/km of CO2 (64.2mpg) – there’s a non-eco 1.6TDI edition too, which is pegged at 133g/km (54.3mpg). The 1.4TSI emits all of 159g/km (40.9mpg) while the best-selling 2.0TDI 170 is pitched at 151g/km (48.7mpg). Unsurprisingly, by far the dirtiest of the lot is the 3.6 V6 petrol Superb, which emits 237g/km of CO2 and averages just 27.7mpg.

Launched in 2008, there have been few reported problems with the Skoda Superb hatch. Any minor problems should have been ironed out for the Estate launch. The engines are tried and tested across the Volkswagen group, and the build quality of the Superb feels particularly good. Skoda routinely scores in the top three for owner satisfaction.

The Skoda Superb estate has already achieved a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating. It’s fitted with seven airbags as standard, and can be equipped with nine. All models have ESP as standard, including ABS and traction control. Adaptive front lights (standard on Elegance spec) adjust their beam depending on speed, cornering and road conditions.

The Superb estate is available in S, SE and Elegance trims, and even the entry-level S is extremely well equipped. It has 16-inch alloys and features including the detachable LED boot-torch, front fog lights, remote central locking, CD stereo and trip computer. The SE has 17-inch wheels, touch-screen 6CD autochanger, leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors, Alcantara upholstery, aluminium boot floor plates, chrome roof rails, cruise control, dual-zone air conditioning and an umbrella in the rear door. Elegance adds 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, touch-screen sat-nav, leather upholstery, heated front seats, Bluetooth, rain sensors, rear sunblind and tyre pressure monitor.

When you sit in and drive the Superb estate, and then look at its price tag, you can’t believe how much car you are getting for the money. Do we want a luxury near-limousine for the price of a hot hatchback? Yes please.