Skoda Superb Estate (2024 - ) review

Skoda offers the Superb Estate with a range of efficient engines, with a strong hybrid element. About the only powertrain you should avoid if fuel economy is your priority is the 2.0-litre petrol, which also has all-wheel drive. Besides that, there are a pair of frugal 2.0-litre turbodiesels, comprising all-wheel drive and slightly less powerful front-wheel drive options. The 1.5-litre TSI petrol is now equipped with mild hybrid fuel-saving technology for diesel-like economy with lower emissions but those wanting the maximum in efficiency should consider the ‘iV’ plug-in hybrid. It features a much larger battery pack, which means it can go more than 62 miles on electric power alone according to official figures. It can also be topped up on rapid DC electric chargers, an unusual feature for a plug-in hybrid but a most welcome benefit, given it can go from 10-80 per cent in just 25 minutes.

Skoda’s outgoing Superb Estate recorded impressive reliability figures in customer satisfaction surveys, although owners have previously complained diesel versions manifest more problems than the petrols. However, Skoda’s development work is flying the flag for Volkswagen with this latest model, so we expect the new car to prove dependable. If there are any reservations at all they revolve around the rotary multi-function ‘Smart Dials’ on the dash. These are a clever way of keeping physical switchgear for various in-car functions but the plastic doesn’t feel of the best quality and each unit wobbles about if you’re too heavy-handed. Also, we jabbed and rotated the central ‘command’ dial a bit too quickly on the test drive, which caused it to freeze up and stop responding. It only came back to life when we switched the car off and back on again.

Neither the Skoda Superb Estate nor the related Volkswagen Passat Estate have been evaluated by Euro NCAP at the time of writing, but both previous generations of the Superb picked up the full five-star safety ratings we’d expect to see replicated even with the testing body’s stricter assessment criteria. Further, Skoda fits every UK-spec Superb Estate with a rear-view camera with washer, adaptive cruise control with speed assist, lane assist plus, traffic jam assist and traffic sign recognition. The mid-grade SE L gains LED Matrix headlights while top-spec Laurin & Klement cars benefit from even more advanced safety gear, such as park assist, trained parking, progressive dynamic steering and a 360-degree camera system.

You will not travel in many more comfortable cars than the Skoda Superb Estate, at any price. Before you’ve even driven it, you will be amazed at the sheer amount of space on offer inside. Rear legroom is generous almost to a fault thanks to an increase in overall length and height. The previous Superb Estate had a massive boot but it’s now even bigger with all the seats up and positively van like with the middle row flattened. Then there’s the supreme comfort and refinement on the move. All the cars we tried were fitted with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that can be made softer or firmer through 15 different settings depending on your preference. We don’t know what the standard suspension is like as yet but with the DCC the ride quality is nothing short of exemplary. Careful tuning of the aerodynamics means the Superb Estate also cuts through the air efficiently and therefore quietly, excellent suppression of engine and tyre noise meaning a car that’s positively Rolls-Royce like at motorway speeds in terms of refinement. It is, for no want of a better word, superb.

Skoda has enhanced the digital real estate of the Superb, fitting every model in the range with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13-inch central touch-screen infotainment display, the aforemebtioned ‘Smart Dials’ below that and then a voice assistant called Laura, which will soon be enhanced with ChatGPT AI functionality. Because the climate controls are within the Smart Dials the Skoda’s interface works intuitively, although we’d have preferred it if the digital instruments had been integrated a little more neatly into the dash-top cowl. Further toys available on the Superb Estate include a crystal-clear head-up display, as well as front seats which are not only heated, but ventilated and blessed with a massaging function as well. Attractive ‘Suite Cognac’ leather is also an option, while a panoramic roof up top lets the light flood into the Skoda’s passenger compartment and can open as well if you want fresh air as well as sunlight. In terms of the luxury appointments and technology available to the Superb, there’s little to fault here.

Given the power levels available no Superb is what you’d call searingly fast. But they don’t need to be and, more importantly, every model has a smooth, refined drivetrain offering relaxed driving. The 1.5-litre TSI mild-hybrid is a perfect example – it has the lowest outputs of any engine available yet feels more than capable of moving the Superb around with ease. Every model now has an automatic transmission as standard (six speeds on the plug-in hybrid, seven speeds on everything else), with no option for a manual. This makes the Skoda simple and relaxing to drive though, if not a fashionable choice, our favourite was the 150 horsepower diesel. It will give you 45mpg everywhere no matter how you drive it, the extra muscle is welcome and it’s a joy to drive on all types of road. Overall, this generation of Superb also has sharper, more involving handling than the old one though the focus (rightly) is more on the exceptional comfort than thrills.