SKODA SUPERB DIESEL ESTATE 2.0 TDI 193 SE L 4X4 5dr DSG

Skoda's largest model, the Superb, has always been particularly popular in cavernous estate guise. There's no reason to think that things will be any different when it comes to this fourth generation range. Jonathan Crouch drives this Czech load-lugger.

Ten Second Review

If you want a really big estate car that doesn't come with the kind of premium pricing you'd get with station wagons from the top German brands, then there's not much to touch Skoda's Superb. This fourth generation version is even larger than its predecessor, yet more efficient and better equipped. If you're looking in this segment, you'd probably like one.

Background

Skoda's Superb has always traded on being big. The standard hatch model's key showroom attribute has always been the astonishing levels of rear seat legroom it offers - plus its big boot. The car's always been the perfect starting point then, for the creation of a really huge estate model, something the Czech brand introduced with the second generation version, embellished with the MK3 and continues with here in this much improved MK4 model. This design uses the Volkswagen Group's new MQB EVO platform, which allows it to be bigger, yet still lighter than its predecessor. Sure enough, there's a big 645-litre boot with the seats up and nearly 2,000-litres of space with the rear bench folded down. We're almost into large MPV territory here. Al this from a smart executive-style estate with no frumpy People Carrying connotations. As before, it's priced at the level of a Volkswagen Passat-style 'D-segment' estate, yet offers even more room than you could expect from a much pricier large Executive class station wagon - say a BMW 5 Series Touring or an Audi A6 Avant. In other words, there's plenty to like here.

Driving Experience

As you'd expect, this MK4 Superb Estate has been fitted out with the latest suite of Volkswagen Group engines and these are all mated to DSG auto transmission. The mainstream powertrain options both develop 150PS and make 62mph in 9.2s en route to 139mph but are quite different. There's the mild hybrid 1.5 e-TEC petrol unit we tried, which has the VW Group's latest 48V mild hybrid tech; or, if you're more old school, the 2.0 TDI diesel, which in volume 150PS form has nearly 50% more pulling power (360Nm of it), hence a 2,200kg braked towing weight figure that's 300kgs more than the petrol model and will be of particular interest to many customers of the estate variant. This diesel can also be had in uprated 193PS form, in which guise it's mated to a 4WD system and for many, would in this guise make a more sensible alternative to a mid-sized SUV. Talking of sensible alternatives, probably the biggest news on the engine front is the massively improved PHEV drivetrain. The previous generation Superb iV PHEV generally got a thumbs-down from British buyers (understandably so, with a relatively small 13kWh battery yielding just 35 miles of rarely-achieved range). So Skoda's had another go, this time equipping the iV Plug-in Hybrid with a sizeable 25.7kWh battery pack which is supposed to be able to offer driving range of up to 84 miles. The engine that cuts in at the end of all that is broadly the same 1.5-litre TSI four cylinder unit we're trying today but with the PHEV, this 150PS powerplant is mated to six rather than seven-speed auto transmission and works in concert with a 118PS electric motor, contributing to a total system output of 204PS. Those rare folk who stretch right to 'Laurin & Klement' trim at the very top of the range get the option of the fastest available Superb engine, a 265PS 2.0 TSI petrol unit, which has to be had with 4WD and seems rather pointless given the sort of car this is.

Design and Build

At first glance, this fourth generation Superb Estate looks merely a mild evolution over its predecessor. Closer inspection though, reveals some significant changes. For a start, the new MQB Evo platform allows it to become an even bigger car, around 40mm longer and 10mm taller than before (though it's also 15mm narrower). You'll notice changes at the front too, where slimmer LED headlamps (which deliver 40% more light) flank an octagonal grille which dips in the centre to allow a larger Skoda badge to sit at the end of the more sharply creased long bonnet. There's also a shallower windscreen rake and slimmer tail lamps. Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 19-inches. Inside, the cabin redesign is much the same as the one featuring in the second generation Kodiaq SUV. Which means a large 12.9-inch centre screen and a 10-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument display. Prominent at the base of the centre stack are three so-called 'Smart Dials' that control climate and can be programmed to work all kinds of other things, from audio volume to driving modes. All the cabin textiles are 100% recycled; and there are the usual Skoda 'Simply Clever' touches - like a cooling device built into the 'Phone Box' wireless charging pad, a USB port built into the rear view mirror and storage for high-viz vests in the doors. To provide more stowage space, the gear shifter has been moved to the steering column. The Superb has always been known for vast amounts of rear seat legroom and this MK4 model is just as good in that regard - and offers 6mm more headroom. Rear passengers now get a fold-down centre armrest that can extend and slide forwards - which is useful when using the integrated tablet holder. Boot space is rated at 690 litres in the Estate, 45-litres more than the hatchback version and 30-litres more than the previous generation model. That figure grows to 1,920-litres with everything folded. So yes, it's all very practical.

Market and Model

Britain's the third biggest global market for the Superb and as before, over half of sales will be to fleets. At the time of our test in Spring 2025, Skoda was asking from around £37,000 for this fourth generation Superb Estate; that's for the base 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150PS version. It's around £1,500 more if you want the alternative 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel. This estate body style requires a £1,300 premium over the equivalent Superb hatch. This station wagon by the way, is the body shape you have to have if you want a Plug-in Hybrid drivetrain in your Superb, which as compiled this review, was priced from around £41,500 and uses a 6-speed auto. All other Superb models have the usual DSG 7-speed auto set-up. With the previous generation Superb, there was a reasonable uptake on the 4WD versions from people fed up with the idea of an equivalent SUV, so further up the range, Skoda's continued that option here. Either with a more powerful version of the 2.0 TDI diesel (with 193PS); or with a top 2.0 TSI petrol model, which offers 265PS, only comes with 4WD and which hardly anyone will buy. To be able to choose either of these 4x4 variants, you have to ignore base 'SE Technology'-spec and choose either mid-range 'SE L'-spec (which is what we tried), sporty 'Sportline' trim ora top plush 'Laurin & Klement' version - that name references Skoda's founders, in case you're wondering. Safety provision is a strongpoint. The improved autonomous emergency braking system can now detect cyclists. Plus there's a new 'Crossroad Assist' function that uses radar sensors in the bumper to monitor traffic at blind junctions and issue you a warning if you're about to pull out into the path of another vehicle. You can also now specify up to ten airbags in this car (including two side bags in the back).

Cost of Ownership

Like its Volkswagen Passat close cousin, the Superb suffers from the VW Group's rather baffling decision not to have developed a self-charging full-Hybrid engine. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, for customers of mainstream Superbs seeking some sort of electrification, there's only a choice of either the somewhat ineffectual 48V mild hybrid tech we tried; or the pricey option of the Superb iV Plug-in Hybrid. Which is why there's likely to continue to be a strong take-up for the powertrain that still probably suits this Skoda best, the 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel. This manages up to 58.0mpg on the combined cycle (usefully better than the 1.5 e-TEC 150PS model's 54.2mpg showing). But as usual, the diesel lets itself down a bit on CO2 emissions (a best of 128g/km, compared to the mild hybrid petrol's 119g/km best possible showing). For real frugality though, you've to turn to the iV Plug-in Hybrid model which, as we told you in our 'Driving' section, now has a much larger 25.7kWh battery pack which is supposed to be able to offer driving range of up to 84 miles. As usual with PHEVs, this skews the combined cycle fuel figure well into fantasy land (here, it's quoted at up to 784.3mpg); in reality, you probably wouldn't do much better than would be the case with a frugally-driven diesel variant (and with the PHEV, you'd have to put up with a smaller fuel tank 45-litres as opposed to the usual 66-litres). But the important thing is that the HMRC believes the iV model's quoted CO2 figure - up to 8g/km - so a low Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating is guaranteed. The PHEV battery now supports DC charging at up to 50kW - which is much faster than the old-shape Superb iV, which was limited to just 3.6kW AC charging. That means a 10 to 80% battery top up will take around 25 minutes, while the new 11kW on-board charger allows full home battery replenishment to take as little as 2 hours. A more typical 7.4kW garage wallbox would need around four hours.

Summary

There are lots of SUVs and still a few MPVs to tempt family car buyers at the moment, but there's life in the traditional estate car yet. Skoda's Superb Estate might not be the trendiest option your family could choose but its luggage-carrying potential is vast and the rest of the package stacks up very well too. This fourth generation version offers useful steps forward in technology, efficiency and style and for most family customers really would make a more sensible alternative to a much smaller but similarly-priced mid-sized SUV. So there you have it. If you've £30,000 to £40,000 to spend on something spacious but not too frumpy, you'd probably quite like one of these. Your Czech mate? Quite possibly.

Body Glass

Acoustic side windows and interior noise suppression

Privacy glass

Rear windscreen wiper

Windscreen wipers with rain sensor

Brakes

Electronic parking brake

ESC including ABS, EBV, MSR, ASR, EDS, HBA, DSR, RBS, CBC, multi-collision brake (MKB) and Auto hold

Hill hold assist

Communication

4x USB-C ports (2x in front centre console and 2x in rear) (45W)

Bluetooth system

CareConnect and Emergency Call

Voice control system

Driver Aids

13" touchscreen display with satellite navigation

Easy boot close funtion

Quick start all heating software functionality

Stop/start engine system

Washer for rear camera

Wireless charging for one smartphone (15W) with cooling function

Driver Convenience

Adaptive cruise control with speed assist,lane assist plus and traffic tram assist

Blind spot detection with door exit warning

Front assist with extended predictive pedestrian protection

Front cross traffic assist

Traffic sign recognition

Turn assist with evasive assistance

Driver Information

ChatGPT functionality

Driver fatigue sensor

Virtual Cockpit - 10.25" digital display

Wireless smartlink apple carplay, SmartLink+ android auto

Driving Mirrors

Body coloured door mirrors

Electrically adjustable, heated, folding and driver side auto-dimming door mirrors with memory function, integrated indicators and logo projection

Frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with USB-C

Embellishment Trims

Decorative front door sills

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Display cleaner

FM radio connection

Web radio connection

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Chrome roof rails

Chrome window surround

Dark chrome grille surround

Ice scraper in fuel tank cap

Rear roof spoiler

Rear side wing doors

Unique dark chrome design logo on alloy wheels

Exterior Lights

Backdrop lighting

Dynamic range control with poor weather light and integrated fog light

LED 3rd brake light

Light assist with High beam control

Light assistant (coming/leaving home/tunnel light)

Rear fog lights (x2)

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Tri zone climate control

Interior Features

12V socket 1x centre console 1x boot

2x cargo elements in boot

4x foldable bag hooks in boot

Bottle holders in the front doors 1.5 litre bottle and rear 1.5 litre bottle

Cup holder in front with easy open mat

Front armrest with storage box

Skoda lettering on steering wheel

Storage compartment with cover

Ticket holder on A Pillar

Umbrella in driver's door

Interior Lights

2x light in boot

Illuminated glovebox

Interior lights with control switches

LED front and rear reading lights

Packs

Light and view package - Superb

Transport package - Superb Estate

Safety

3 rear seatbelts

8 Airbags - Front driver and passenger,front side driver and passenger,centre,curtain front and rear,drivers knee

Crew protect assist

Driver and passenger seatbelts with warning light

Power operated child lock in rear doors

Seats

14-way electrically adjustable, memory, front seats with 4-way pneumatic lumbar support, and extendable thigh support with smart comfort entry aid

3 seat bench in 2nd row

60:40 Split folding rear seats

Advanced massage function for front seats

Front sports comfort seats

Heated and ventilated front seats

Height adjustable front and rear head restraints

Isofix child seat fittings in outer rear and front passenger seats

Single front passenger seat

Storage pockets on back of front seats

Security

Alarm with interior monitoring tilt sensor and back up horn

Backrest remote release from trunk

Electronic engine immobiliser

Keyless start/stop

Remote central locking with SAFE system

Third key

Walk away locking

Vanity Mirrors

Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Emissions - ICE

HC: N

Noise Level dB(A): 90

NOx: 0.022

Particles: 0.0008

Standard Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 155

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 159

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 154

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 152

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 148

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 137

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 133

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 221

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 215

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 164

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 159

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 1968

Compression Ratio: 15.5:1

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 81

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 95.5

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Gears: 7 SPEED

Number of Valves: 16

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 6

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 56.5

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 56.5

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 35.3

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 35.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 47.1

General

AdBlue: No

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Badge Power: 193

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: TDI 193 4X4

Coin Series: SE L

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 4

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 30E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 2

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 93

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 82

NCAP Safety Assist %: 80

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Service Interval Mileage: 18600

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 130000

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.6

Engine Power - BHP: 193

Engine Power - KW: 142

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - RPM: 3500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 295

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Top Speed: 142

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: DOFIDA

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: N

Height (including roof rails): 1482

Length: 4902

Wheelbase: 2841

Width: 1849

Width (including mirrors): 2090

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 66

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2320

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1920

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 690

Max. Loading Weight: 641

Max. Roof Load: 100

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2200

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1679

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.1

Chassis/Suspension

Dynamic chassis control plus with progressive dynamic steering

Driver Information

Head up Display

Entertainment

Canton sound system - 14+1 speaker

Exterior Body Features

Electrically adjustable tilt/slide panoramic glass sunroof

Metallic paint

Special paint

Interior Features

Boot net partition

Variable boot floor

Packs

Parking package - Superb

Simply clever family package - Superb Estate

Suite cognac design selection pack - Superb

Winter package - Superb

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Carmine red

Metallic - Cobalt blue

Metallic - Graphite grey

Metallic - Ice tea yellow

Metallic - Midnight black

Metallic - Pebble silver

Paint - Solid

Solid - Energy blue

Paint - Special

Special paint - Pure white

Safety

Active tyre pressure monitoring system

Service/Warranty

Extended warranty (4 years or 100000 miles)

Extended warranty (4 years or 80000 miles)

Extended warranty (5 years or 100000 miles)

Service plan (Your first two services)

Towing

Electric tow bar with adaptor

Electric tow bar with trailer assist

Trim - Part Leather

Suite design selection pack - Leather/Artifical - Cognac with cognac stitching

Suite design selection pack - Leather/Artificial - Black with grey stitching

Wheels - Alloy

19" Aniara aero silver alloy wheels and anti-theft wheel bolts

19" Veritate silver alloy wheels and anti-theft wheel bolts

Wheels - Spare

18" Steel space saving spare wheel