While former business legends such as the Ford Mondeo and the Vauxhall Insignia have long since ridden off into the sunset, Skoda steadfastly clings to the notion that not everyone wants or needs an SUV and many discerning individuals still appreciate the many talents of its epically-spacious Superb Hatch (or Estate).
Happily, this situation is set to continue due to a familiar but all-new body design for 2024 featuring myriad stylistic enhancements including a slinkier drag cheating profile, a 30-litre boost to what was already an enormous boot capacity, and a raft of new and revised powertrains.
While the redesigned interior builds on the enormous space and simple elegance of its predecessor complete with a newly relocated column-mounted gear selector and many components which look and feel like they have been liberated from the Audi parts bin, the overall fit and finish of every panel suggests everything will remain robust and rattle-free for many a year.
Interior tech
Slide behind the wheel and you’re greeted by an all-new 13in infotainment screen supplemented by three large rotary ‘smart dials’ providing intuitive access to climate control, heated seats, fan speed, stereo volume and various different driving modes. If only every car’s basic functions were this simple as this.
If you prefer, you can also command several interactions via voice control, using the latest AI-based Laura system, which in addition to controlling the vehicle’s infotainment, navigation and air conditioning, can be employed to answer a limited amount of general knowledge questions. Skoda reckons this system will only become more sophisticated with time and can be remotely updated, so who knows the level of conversations or philosophical interactions which will be possible in the future.
Additional nice touches include a new ventilated wireless charging mat for cooler and speedier phone charging, which will be warmly welcomed by anyone who has overcooked their device on more basic power mats.
While the vast range of seating and steering wheel adjustment are near inexhaustible, the perfectly aligned pedals, large footrest, and supportive seats, now with deep tissue massage function, are all configured to ease the stresses and strains of extended days at the wheel.
Drive and performance
From launch. there will be five powertrains including an all-new 1.5-litre petrol mild hybrid, a more traditional 2.0TSI turbocharged petrol engine, and whisper it, two uprated 2.0-litre diesel engines. All engines are mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox, while some top-spec versions are available with four-wheel-drive.
The business-incentivised 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol option employs a 48V starter generator to help boost driveaway performance, soften stop-start events and reduce emissions but in truth it feels rather underpowered in such a big car. Although you can select a sport mode to sharpen its reactions this only serves to stress the engine further by upping the rev quota and exposing its fundamental lack of oomph. The stronger of the 2.0-litre diesels is undoubtedely the pick of the range, especially when married to the four wheel drive set up. Delivering effortless flexibility and substantial performance allied neat and tidy handling , the only downside is some typical diesel combution signature and slight vibration tingling filtering into the cabin as it goes about its work.
Despite its substantial dimensions it doesn’t take long to come to terms with the Superb’s magnitude. It is is a very intuitive car to drive, thanks primarily, to its neat, connected steering responses, well-regimented body control and excellent all-round visibility.
Outside influences aren’t quite as well suppressed as you might expect at lower speeds however, as a fair amount of suspension knock can be heard when driving over rougher surfaces. Additionally, despite all-round laminated side glass and Skoda’s claims of an exceptionally low drag coefficient, a fair bit of wind noise can be noticed coursing across the windscreen and around the mirrors at motorway rep speeds.
Our test cars came fitted with selectable variable suspension damping but given the standard setting is so well resolved in terms of control, there seems little point in ticking this option box. Better to save the dosh by sticking with the standard suspension. After all, Skoda’s oft-trotted-out refrain is ‘simply clever’.
Positive: All the interior space you’ll ever need, more nimble than its size might suggest, intuitive climate and infotainment.
Negative: Suspension knock, chassis upgrades are best avoided, notable high-speed wind noise
Standard equipment: 17in alloy wheels, dual climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats with massage function, split fold rear seats, remote-central-locking, electric front and rear windows, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, keyless entry and start up, wireless AppleCarPlay Android Auto Bluetooth, DAB radio, LED headlights and daytime running lights,
Engines: Petrol: 150hp 1.5, 204hp 2.0, 265hp 2.0; Plug-in hybrid: 204hp 1.5; Diesel: 150hp 2.0, 193hp 2.0
Equipment grades: SE Technology, SE L, Laurin & Klement
Transmissions: 7-speed DSG Auto
| Model | Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI eTEC 150 DSG SE L |
| P11D | £37,965 |
| Residual value | 44% |
| Depreciation | £20,905 |
| Fuel | £7,630 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,194 |
| Cost per mile | 51.21p |
| Fuel consumption | 51.8mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 124g/km (29%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £183/£367 |
| Luggage capacity | 690 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1,498cc/150hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
