Skoda Superb Estate – superb by name, superb by nature

Admittedly we all have our different views and opinions but if ever there’s a car that’s perfectly named it’s Skoda’s Superb. They are beloved by taxi drivers for their space, comfort and high mileage reliability.

If you think that makes it a somewhat downmarket choice then think again. Mercedes Benz is liked by taxi drivers across the world and it doesn’t exactly seem to have harmed their reputation. Skoda is also a favourite choice of the emergency services, an arguably more prestigious purchaser, for the same reasons of reliability and comfort, not to mention performance.

In its current guise the Superb is offered in both hatch and estate, the latter an increasing rarity these days as SUVs continue their dominance of the showroom floor. Petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-wheel-drive are offered within four trim trims – SE, SE L, Sportline and Laurin and Klement.

Standard fare on the lead-in model includes a 33cm/13-inch touchscreen, navigation, front and rear parking sensors with rear camera, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, LED lights, privacy glass, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated folding and dimming door mirrors and keyless start/stop.

Being a Superb, and the estate, it has one of the most commodious load areas ever and is equally generous for the occupants too. The rear seat passengers have enough space to hold a dance!

The lead-in petrol 1.5 TSi engine comes with mild hybrid assistance, there’s a more powerful version of this engine with plug-in hybrid, a 2.0-litre TSi petrol, a couple of 2.0-litre diesel units and some power choices with all-wheel-drive. There is no manual option now on the Superb, it’s a DSG automatic gearbox on all engines. In entry-level SE form the Superb is anything but entry level where standard equipment is concerned, and there’s the typically Skoda touch of an umbrella hidden in the driver’s door.

On the road my SE test model, with 1.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid and 204PS, made relatively short work of the 0 to 62mph sprint in a whisker over eight seconds. Equally impressive economy and emissions of just 33g/km promise low running costs. It smooths out rough roads impressively well and despite its size handles rather tidily too.

The interior is a very nice place to be with premium looking and tactile materials, a solid feel to the build quality and although there’s a touchscreen there are also proper buttons. Hurrah!  Comfortable, spacious, well equipped and reasonably priced, there must be something amiss surely? Actually no! It really is a 5-star car.

Facts at a glance

• Model: Skoda Superb Estate SE iV Plug-in Hybrid
• Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol with plug-in hybrid assistance developing 204PS
• Gears: 6-speed DSG automatic
• Price: €48,731/£41,580 (Range from €44,697/£38.135)
• Performance: 0 – 100kph/62mph 8.1 seconds/Max speed 218kph/136 mph
• Economy: Combined real-world circa 4.71 to 4.04 litres per 100km/60-70mpg depending on driving conditions
• Emissions: 33 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets