Skoda Superb facelift

Skoda has revised its big upper medium Superb.

It’s not the most dramatic of revisions, but the brand claims everything ahead of the windscreen pillar is completely redesigned and includes a new grille, foglights, bumpers, front wings and bonnet.

The rear lights have been altered too, while bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights are available for the first time. Skoda has also revised the interior fabrics and patterns on offer.

There’s no change in CO2 figures for this most efficient 109g/km model, although Skoda claims others in the range are up to 22% more efficient.

Spec has been upgraded, with entry S model additions including cruise control, Bluetooth and start-stop on the diesels and the 1.4 petrol. SE spec adds an auto-dimming rear view mirror, and Elegance now totes a heated front windscreen and DAB. But the new kit does come at a cost, with prices up by a maximum of £900. While some models don’t increase, the majority rise by at least £435.

Costing £136 more than a 120hp Vauxhall Insignia Tech Line and £40 more than a 115hp Ford Mondeo Zetec Business Edition, the Superb is no longer the budget option, but has a better RV than either rival, although it loses out by 0.9p per mile on costs to the Vauxhall due to the Insignia’s 98g/km CO2 figure and therefore tax and fuel cost savings.

The Skoda does, however, beat Ford’s Mondeo by 2.1p per mile, and has a huge 595-litre boot that’s bigger than the Insignia’s?(530 litres) and the Mondeo’s (528 litres).

The 105hp engine, while offering a good 109g/km, feels a little overworked in a car this size, but there are major tax savings to be had compared with the more suitable 140hp 2.0-litre diesel that’s an extra £465 and emits 119g/km, so sits two benefit-in-kind bands higher.