Old school virtues get new packaging in the fourth generation version of Skoda's big Superb. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

This fourth generation Superb might well be the last all-new fossil fuelled car the Czech brand ever launches, so it's appropriate that as a product, it's very 'Skoda', sensible, spacious, good value and unpretentious in both hatch and estate form. There's something old (diesel engines) and something new (cutting-edge PHEV power). The right kind of customer might even think the end result to be, quite simply superb.

Background

It seems strange now to remember what an outlandishly unusual product the Superb was for Skoda's line-up when it first launched in B5-series form back in 2001. We'd never seen a Skoda this big and luxurious. The pundits said it wouldn't sell and VW Group higher-ups made plans to quietly drop this Passat-derived model at the end of its first generation. But sell it did - so well that Skoda got the green light to build a second generation B6-series version in 2008, then a third generation B8-series model in 2015. Late 2023 saw the announcement of the fourth generation B9-series model we look at here, still Passat-based (it's now even built on the same production line) and sharing everything meaningful with the brand's second generation Kodiaq SUV. Nothing too radical's been changed here, but almost every part of this car has been thought about afresh. The result is difficult not to like.

Driving Experience

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 looks merely a mild evolution in its five-door and estate forms. 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 645-litres in the hatchback (20-litres more) and 690-litres in the estate (30-litres more), the latter figure growing 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 Autumn 2024, Skoda was asking from around £35,000 for this fourth generation Superb; 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. That base price we just quoted is for the hatch body shape; most Superb customers will continue to want the estate body style, which requires a £1,300 premium. 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 we 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 or get a 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

In a market increasingly dominated by SUVs, it's often tempting to wonder whether there's really still a place for a conventional 'D'-segment Passat-class model like this. Even if you were set on choosing a Skoda, why wouldn't you buy a Karoq or a Kodiaq for this sort of money? To continue to justify its place in the range, this fourth generation Superb had to offer a more credible answer to that question; and, by and large, it has. It still won't really satisfy the very few people who come to this class in search of dynamic handling. But otherwise, there's much to like here. Not least the kind of exterior elegance that fits in as comfortably at a high class hotel as it does on a taxi rank. Above all, the Superb delivers space, and that's a quality you can never really have too much of in this corner of the market. Why? Because it's the one attribute where more mainstream marques can really land a telling blow on the premium badges. Something similarly priced like a BMW 3 Series or an Audi A4 is always going to feel more cramped inside than a Skoda Superb - and the advantage of the Superb Estate in that regard is particularly notable. This then, remains a convincing flagship for Skoda's increasingly impressive model line-up, offering real luxury in an everyday accessible package. It's now safer, slicker and, particularly in plug-in form, more technically advanced too. Or, to put it another way, it is, to use Skoda's words, 'Simply Clever'.

Body Glass

Privacy glass

Windscreen wipers with rain sensor

Acoustic side windows and interior noise suppression

Brakes

Hill hold assist

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

Electronic parking brake

Chassis/Suspension

Dynamic chassis control plus with progressive dynamic steering

Communication

CareConnect and Emergency Call

Bluetooth system

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

Voice control system

Driver Aids

Remote park assist

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

Blind spot detection with door exit warning

Turn assist with evasive assistance

Front cross traffic assist

Front assist with extended predictive pedestrian protection

Power assisted steering

Traffic sign recognition

Driver Convenience

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

Stop/start engine system

Washer for rear camera

Quick start all heating software functionality

13" touchscreen display with satellite navigation

Driver Information

ChatGPT functionality

Virtual Cockpit - 10.25" digital display

Driver fatigue sensor

Wireless smartlink apple carplay, SmartLink+ android auto

Driving Mirrors

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

Body coloured door mirrors

Frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with USB-C

Embellishment Trims

Decorative front door sills

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Canton sound system - 14+1 speaker

FM radio connection

Display cleaner

Web radio connection

Exterior Body Features

Ice scraper in fuel tank cap

Body colour door handles

Unique dark chrome design logo on alloy wheels

Unique dark chrome grille surround with dark chrome rib elements, plus dark chrome rear diffuser strip

Chrome window surround

Rear side wing doors

Exterior Lights

Light assist with High beam control

Dynamic range control with poor weather light and integrated fog light

Backdrop lighting

Rear fog lights (x2)

LED 3rd brake light

Light assistant (coming/leaving home/tunnel light)

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Tri zone climate control

Interior Features

12V socket 1x centre console 1x boot

Cup holder in front with easy open mat

Skoda lettering on steering wheel

Storage compartment with cover

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

2x cargo elements in boot

Front armrest with storage box

Ticket holder on A Pillar

Umbrella in driver's door

Interior Lights

LED front and rear reading lights

Illuminated glovebox

2x light in boot

Interior lights with control switches

Packs

Transport package - Superb Hatchback

Winter package - Superb

Parking package - Superb

Light and view package - Superb

Safety

Crew protect assist

3 rear seatbelts

Driver and passenger seatbelts with warning light

Power operated child lock in rear doors

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

Seats

60:40 Split folding rear seats

Height adjustable front and rear head restraints

Single front passenger seat

Advanced massage function for front seats

Isofix child seat fittings in outer rear and front passenger seats

Storage pockets on back of front seats

Front sports comfort seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Heated and ventilated front seats

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

Security

Third key

Walk away locking

Electronic engine immobiliser

Remote central locking with SAFE system

Backrest remote release from trunk

Keyless start/stop

Alarm with interior monitoring tilt sensor and back up horn

Vanity Mirrors

Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Spare

18" Steel space saving spare wheel

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 90

NOx: 0.024

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0001

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 175

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 260

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 261

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 183

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 185

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 150

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 151

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 162

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 163

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 177

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 175

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82.5

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.8

CC: 1984

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 9.6:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 36.7

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 24.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 24.6

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 35.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 34.7

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 43

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 42.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 39.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 39.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 36.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 36.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 7.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 11.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 11.5

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

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 7.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 7.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 7.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 7.8

General

Coin Series: Laurin + Klement

Coin Description: TSI 4X4

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 2

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

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

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 34E

Service Interval Mileage: 18600

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 93

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 82

NCAP Safety Assist %: 80

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 265

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 4

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.6

Top Speed: 155

Engine Power - BHP: 265

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 195

Engine Power - RPM: 5000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 295

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Torque - RPM: 1650

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R18

Tyre Size Spare: SPACE SAVER

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Wheel Style: BELATRIX

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4912

Width: 1849

Wheelbase: 2841

Width (including mirrors): 2090

Height: 1481

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1653

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2300

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 66

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2200

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 647

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 645

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 100

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1795

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.1

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Driver Information

Head up Display

Exterior Body Features

Special paint

Metallic paint

Packs

Laurin + Klement Suite cognac design selection pack - Superb

Simply clever family package - Superb Hatchback

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Carmine red

Metallic - Pebble silver

Metallic - Ice tea yellow

Metallic - Midnight black

Metallic - Graphite grey

Metallic - Cobalt blue

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 (5 years or 100000 miles)

Service plan (Your first two services)

Extended warranty (4 years or 80000 miles)

Towing

Electric tow bar with adaptor

Electric tow bar with trailer assist

Trim - Part Leather

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

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

Wheels - Alloy

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