Skoda Superb Review

Gumtree Rating

4.0 rating

First launched by the Czech manufacturer back in 2001, the Skoda Superb is currently on its third generation. It’s a large, family-oriented estate car, and is one of the best all-rounders for its price point. It’s geared primarily towards practicality and convenience, but also has excellent handling and charming aesthetics. There’s a broad range of petrol and diesel engines available, offering both power and economy, and the newer plug-in hybrid unit is an impressive eco-friendly step forward for the model.

Visit the Skoda Superb model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Skoda Superb

The Skoda Superb is an excellent all-rounder with surprisingly fast engines and a nice hybrid option.

Pros

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Spacious interior

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Safe and reliable

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Broad range of fast, efficient engines available, including an eco-friendly hybrid

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Appealing aesthetics

+

Affordable price point

Cons

Not the most exciting car to drive

Lacks the wow factor

The Skoda Superb is a five-seater estate car. Its entry-level engine is a 1.5-litre petrol unit, offering a fuel efficiency of around 47 mpg. On the most recent model, the available trims are: SE, SE L, SportLine Plus and Laurin & Klement.

Driving performance of the Skoda Superb

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

For everyday city runs and motorway driving, the Skoda Superb is an extremely capable car – though it’s not necessarily a thrill-ride. Its steering is light and accurate, and it moves with great agility despite its large size. With the impressive level of grip and minimal body roll, you can take the Superb around corners with real comfort. Driver visibility is also great, and you’ll be cushioned effectively from sharp bumps and road imperfections with the car’s well-balanced suspension.

Safety and reliability of the Skoda Superb

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

The Skoda Superb hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP since 2015, when it managed a full five-star rating. It received a score of 86% for driver protection and 86% for how well it protected children. A 71% score was awarded for pedestrian safety, with 76% given for its range of safety equipment. The newest features include blind spot detection, rear traffic alert, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control. There’s also a crew safety system, which closes windows and tightens belts if an imminent crash is predicted. Some of these options will only be available on later models, so bear that in mind when looking at the used market.

Under the bonnet of the Skoda Superb

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The basic 1.5-litre petrol engine on the Skoda Superb is available with manual or automatic gearboxes, and it has a power output of around 148 bhp. There’s also a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 187 bhp. The fastest engine in the range is, unsurprisingly, the turbocharged 2.0-litre, which kicks out 276 bhp, getting you to 62 mph from standing in as little as 5.2 seconds. Three 2.0-litre diesel units are also available, as is a plug-in petrol hybrid, which has an impressive 0-62 time of just under eight seconds.

What you'll find in the Skoda Superb

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The Skoda Superb’s looks aren’t show-stopping, but they definitely boast more style and refinement than a typical family saloon at this price point. That’s particularly true if you upgrade to one of the sportier trims. A facelift back in 2019 brought a whole host of new touches, such as an eye-catching front grille with vertical bars, nice detailing on the front and rear bumpers, and subtly sleek, narrow headlights. The hatchback tailgate also adds a nice twist to the shape, giving it a more powerful profile.

Comfort and interiors in the Skoda Superb

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

The interior of the cabin has a similar vibe to its exterior design: subtly stylish, without demanding your attention. All the materials are good quality, and the parts are well constructed. The layout is also nice and clean, with a decent amount of space on the driver’s side. If you’re trying to fit a large group of people into your vehicle on a regular basis, but you don’t want to opt for an SUV, the Superb is one of the best options available at this price point. It also has a great amount of rear legroom and headroom.

Skoda Superb dashboard computer

What features you'll find in the Skoda Superb

Our Features Rating8 / 10

The Skoda Superb’s interior comes with an infotainment system that can be accessed via an eight-inch touchscreen, which can be upgraded to a larger 9.2-inch version on higher trims. There’s also a Canton stereo system with a 610-watt output and 12 speakers available as an upgrade. Satnav doesn’t come as standard, which may be a let-down for some, but there’s DAB and Bluetooth connectivity on offer, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Skoda Superb

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

Fuel economy is one of the key selling points of the Superb, with great figures reported across most of the range. You can get 47 mpg from the smallest petrol engine, and around 34.5 mpg for the most powerful 2.0-litre unit. The least powerful diesel engine can provide just under 59 mpg, and CO2 emissions of 125 g/km. With the plug-in hybrid, you’ll get a fantastic maximum efficiency of 256 mpg, and an all-electric range of 20 miles, which is about average for plug-ins these days.

Running costs of the Skoda Superb

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

The great fuel efficiency of the Skoda Superb should go a long way towards saving you money in the long-term. If you’re using the Superb as a company fleet, the low emissions of the plug-in hybrid will also allow you to make some decent savings. You’ll get a standard three-year/60,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty from Skoda, and it shouldn’t be too expensive to insure, particularly if you opt for one of the diesel engines – and if you stay away from the slightly pricier top-end Laurin & Klement trim.

Our verdict of the Skoda Superb

4.0 rating

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

If you want a big family vehicle but you're not a fan of SUVs, the Skoda Superb is one of the best affordable, all-rounder saloons.