Skoda Superb Estate Review 2024

Skoda Superb Estate At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
No matter what you need to carry, the Skoda Superb Estate will probably be able to accommodate it. From its massive boot to a spacious interior, this is a remarkably practical and affordable estate car.

+Boot capacity is massive. Limousine-like levels of passenger space. Refined driving experience favours comfort. Tremendous value for money.

-Not particularly engaging to drive, even with the most powerful engine. Depreciation is higher than premium-brand rivals. Some desirable options will raise the list price rapidly.

New prices start from £25,515
Insurance Groups are between 12–30
On average it achieves 80% of the official MPG figure

The Skoda Superb Estate is close to perfect when it comes to being a family wagon. Offering vast amounts of space for both passengers and luggage, it is practical and refined in equal measure. Compared to ‘premium’ estate cars such as the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant, the Skoda Superb is far more affordable as well. It's one of the best estate cars going.

For maximum practicality and value for money, the Skoda Superb Estate is almost unbeatable. It boasts a truly massive boot, and can transport five adults in the kind of comfort usually found in only the most expensive luxury cars.

Skoda launched the third-generation Superb Estate in 2015, and has subtly evolved and enhanced it over the years. During that time, the Superb has managed to outlive most of its key rivals, with the Ford Mondeo Estate, Mazda 6 Tourer and Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer all now consigned to the history books. 

Without any mainstream challengers, this leaves the Superb Estate pitched against premium options like the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant. Compared to these cars, the koda Superb Estate delivers far more space on the inside, along with a more affordable price tag. 

Value for money is one of the Superb Estate’s big attractions, with prices starting from around £32,000. For the amount of real estate this brings, the big Skoda is hard to fault, especially when a basic BMW 3 Series Touring will cost at least £41,000. Factor in the level of standard specification and this price tag becomes even more impressive.

All Superb Estates come with dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors and an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen as standard. There are also Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ additions throughout the cabin, such as umbrellas neatly hidden inside the front doors. 

Further up the model range, features such as a digital instrument panel, satellite navigation and leather upholstery all become standard. The options list is extensive, but diving too deeply into it can see the car’s price climb quickly skywards. 

Adding to the overall feeling of quality is ride comfort that feels more akin to pricier German executive saloons. Skoda has tuned the suspension to absorb the worst that poor quality roads can throw at the Superb Estate, meaning motorway journeys in particular are relaxing affairs. 

The flipside is that, even in the raciest Sportline Plus trim, the Superb never feels that exciting. There is a 280PS 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with all-wheel drive, but this is an exception from a range that focuses on efficiency rather than performance. 

Company car drivers will be drawn to the iV plug-in hybrid, thanks to its low Benefit-in-Kind tax rating. However, the regular petrol and diesel engines offer enough power to cope with a boot full of suitcases, flat-pack furniture, or whatever else the Superb needs to carry. 

Just how big is the Superb Estate’s boot? Well, in non-hybrid form, there is room for a whopping 660 litres of luggage with the rear seats up. Folding them down expands this to a truly colossal 1950 litres. The boot is well shaped, with a wide tailgate that can be opened simply by waving your foot beneath the bumper on certain models. 

Overall the Skoda Superb Estate still offers a combination of practicality and value that is near-impossible to beat. 

Ask Honest John

What do you recommend as a very comfortable, roomy, economical, safe and reliable car?

"We’re thinking of changing our 2012 Honda Accord Diesel Tourer for something with as much or more room - we need the space for sailing gear - but with a softer ride, more directional stability on motorways, brighter headlights, automatic transmission, predictable handling and similar reliability and economy. Like the Accord the new car would be mostly used for regular 100+ mile trips on motorways to the coast and back. I love the Accord’s diesel, the best engine I’ve ever had, so something like a diesel estate VW Passat or Skoda Superb could suit, but are the engines reliable, is the DSG box reliable and critically is it wet or dry clutch - wet clutches seem to be a better bet? The budget as little as possible (we see our cars as costly tools) but realistically it will have to be mid/high £k teens, perhaps a little more. Is there anything else I should consider?"
A Skoda Superb or Volkswagen Passat sounds ideal. You won't go wrong with the 2.0 TDI engine, provided you cover enough motorway miles to keep the diesel particular filter (DPF) clear (it sounds like you do). The DSG gearbox is reliable these days, too. As an alternative, take a look at the Volvo V90 - it's a very comfortable premium estate car.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Which estate car has the biggest boot?

"Which estate car has the biggest rear space?"
The Skoda Superb Estate has the largest boot, with 660 litres with the rear seats in place and 1950 litres with the seats folded.
Answered by David Ross

What should I replace my Ford Mondeo with?

"I need to replace my Ford Mondeo. What would you recommend? I like the size of Mondeo and the performance mid range of the 2.2-litre diesel suits my driving which is mainly country roads with occasional motorway. I do minimal town use. I need five seats and ideally a hatch or estate for occasional dog travel. My budget is £10k to 15k."
If you cover more than 12,000 miles a year, a diesel makes sense. Otherwise, we'd recommend a petrol or hybrid for your driving. A Skoda Superb Estate could be a good choice - it's very comfortable and popular with dog owners due to its huge boot. You could also look at the slightly smaller (but still very practical) Octavia. Alternatively, the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer represents excellent value for money on the used market.
Answered by Andrew Brady

How much should it cost to replace a seatbelt buckle?

"My 2019 Skoda Superb Estate failed its MoT due to a rear seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.12d). My son has tested it and the buckle will release, but not as easily as the others. I have been quoted nearly £500 for a new one (inc parts and fitting) by my local Skoda garage. Would there be any leeway at another garage, do you think?"
Although there are strict guidelines for MoT testers there is always an element of interpretation. It may be that the effort required to release the seatbelt means it could prevent someone from exiting the car in an emergency. It may be that some lubrication would be enough to free up the mechanism, so it might be worth trying this before getting it repaired. Main dealer pricing for repairs will always be the most expensive, so we would definitely suggest shopping around for an independent garage. This should be a simple job too, so you may even want to consider purchasing the parts and fitting it yourself.
Answered by David Ross
More Questions

What does a Skoda Superb Estate cost?