Review: Skoda Superb (2015)
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Rating:
Large hatchback that offers excellent value for money. Limousine-like legroom and bootspace. Efficient range of engines. Improved even more with 2019 facelift.
Driving experience is more functional than fun. Suspension can seem a little unsettled on rough roads.
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Skoda Superb (2015): At A Glance
- New prices start from £24,430, brokers can source from £18,945
- Contract hire deals from £204.47 per month
- Insurance Groups are between 12–29
- On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure
The Superb is the halo model in the Skoda range and remains true to its creator’s value for money principles by providing the size and feel of a luxury saloon for the same cost of a family hatchback. As a result the Superb represents excellent value, with no other model coming close to matching its size, equipment levels or low running costs.
Like the previous generation, the Superb is large and boasts a cavernous interior that has little trouble carrying five large adults in stately comfort. Both the driver and front seat passenger get more head and legroom - while the rear seats provide a limo-rivalling legroom, which means six footers will be able to stretch out and relax in the back over long trips.
The interior is filled with high quality materials which provide an upmarket feel that wouldn't be amiss in any German executive car costing upwards of £50,000. All of the plastics have a soft-touch, while many of the buttons and switches are carried over from the latest Volkswagen Passat, which means they work with a reassuring clunk. The Superb also gets a huge and usefully practical boot.
Equipment levels are high and even base models get alloy wheels, front fog lights, air conditioning and a five-inch touchscreen as standard. An electronic parking brake is also included and has a feature that will automatically hold the car for tricky hill starts.
There is a wide range of engines to choose from and power outputs range from a frugal 120PS to a hot hatch rivalling 272PS. Most engines are linked to a smooth six-speed manual gearbox, although six-speed and seven-speed DSG 'boxes are standard for the more powerful versions.
The Skoda Superb works best with diesel power and the 2.0 TDI with 150PS is the best all-rounder, providing plenty of mid-gear acceleration. The diesel is hushed at higher speeds and cheap to run, making it an ideal choice for company car drivers. In 2019 it was updated with better fuel economy and lower emissions.
If your daily mileage doesn't warrant a diesel then there's also a 150PS 1.5 TSI petrol (an earlier 1.4 TSI was available until late 2018) or if you want power, there's a 2.0 TSI.
On the road the Skoda Superb is quiet, refined and relaxing to drive, which makes it the perfect companion for long distances. An electronic differential is fitted to all cars as standard, which means the Superb is predictable in the corners with lots of grip, while the soft suspension provides a cushioned ride, even when fitted with 18-inch wheels.
However, the Superb is at its best on the motorway and even the diesels are hushed at high speeds, operating with a soothing but quiet buzz. Most models get adaptive cruise control as standard and the steering provides lots of feedback, with a nice weighty feel and smooth operation. Only the roughest of A or B roads will cause the Superb's suspension to bobble out of sync, but this is a minor criticisms of what is otherwise one of the best and most spacious family cars money can buy.
Skoda Superb 2015 Range Road Test
What does a Skoda Superb (2015) cost?
| List Price from | £24,340 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £18,945 |
| Contract hire from | £204.47 per month |
Skoda Superb (2015): What's It Like Inside?
- Boot space is 625–1760 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4861–4869 mm |
| Width | 2009–2031 mm |
| Height | 1468–1469 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2841 mm |
The Skoda Superb has always been a large car, but the latest generation offers more interior space by using a longer and wider platform. As a result the Superb has more legroom and luggage space than anything else in its class, which means it is well-designed for family life.
The Superb will easily carry five large adults in comfort, while the 625-litre boot (up 30 litres on the old model) offers almost limitless storage options in the back with an estate-rivalling 1760 litres available if you lower the rear seats.
All Skoda Superb models are well-equipped and comfortable, which means it's an extremely comfortable car to drive, with supportive seats that have lots of adjustment. Sound proofing is also excellent, cutting road and wind noise to a mere whisper, while even the diesels operate with a quiet buzz under the large curved bonnet.
In-car storage is plentiful, with lots of cubby storage and deep door bins. In recent years Skoda has won a lot of fans with its Simply Clever features and the Superb has no less than 11 accessories, spanning from a rechargeable magnetic torch in the boot to cup holders that let the driver unscrew a water bottle without lifting it out of the holder. The Superb can also be fitted with a handy tow bar, which folds away underneath the vehicle when not in use.
Entry models in S trim get DAB, Bluetooth and a five-inch touchscreen system, although the Superb can be equipped to rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with quilted leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control and a premium 10 speaker sound system. You can also get a TV tuner, with the range-topping Laurin & Klement trim, which features the simple but brilliant Velcro luggage retainers that you fold around the corner of a case to pin it in place in the boot.
The mid-range SE trim offers the best compromise between value and comfort, with a comfortable set of cloth seats and a large storage box in the centre that lifts to provide arm support for the driver and front passenger. SE also features a clear and colourful 6.5-inch touchscreen system, adaptive cruise control and two umbrellas, secreted in the front doors.
The 2019 facelift brought the option of digital dials (what Skoda calls Virtual Cockpit) which sees the conventional instruments replaced with a high res screen. It's a nice feature but whether it's worth paying extra for is doubtful.
Standard Equipment:
S trim comes with 16-inch Orion alloy wheels (215/60 R16), body coloured door mirrors and door handles, halogen headlights with daytime running lights, front fog lights, LED rear lights, three spoke leather multi-function steering wheel, cloth upholstery, electric parking brake, removable lamp in boot, bluetooth, DAB digital radio and a five-inch touchscreen
SE adds 17-inch Helios alloy wheels (215/55 R17), manual lumbar support, dual zone air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors, cornering front fog lights, adaptive cruise control plus a 6.5-inch touchscreen.
SE L includes 18-inch Zenith alloy wheels (235/45 R18), xenon headlights with AFS and LED daytime running lights, headlight washers, boot net, electrically operated boot, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory, leather upholstery and heated front seats, sunset glass, navigation with eight-inch touchscreen and a drive mode selection.
Laurin & Klement adds 18-inch Pegasus anthracite alloy wheels (235/45 R18), 10 speaker CANTON sound system, heated windscreen, floor mats, piano black decorative inserts, tri-zone climate control, blind spot detection, colour Maxi-DOT trip computer, keyless entry, lane assist, park assist, TV tuner, virtual pedal, and dynamic chassis control (DCC).
Child seats that fit a Skoda Superb (2015)
Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.What's the Skoda Superb (2015) like to drive?
- Engines range from 1.4 TSI 125 to 2.0 TSI 280 DSG 4x4
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 22–67 mpg
The Skoda Superb is available with a wiude range of turbocharged engines ranging from a frugal diesel to a hot hatch rivalling 2.0-litre petrol.
The Superb works very well with diesel power and while the TDI units aren't the quietest at start up, they quieten down on the move.
The 2.0 TDI with 150PS is our pick of the range, with 340Nm of torque that will provide strong in-gear pulling power. Real MPG shows owners seeing around 55mpg. In late 2019 this engine was updated (it's now called Evo) with lower emissions and better fuel consumption.
If the diesel doesn't match your needs then the Superb is also available with a good range of petrols. The 1.4 TSI was replaced by a 1.5 TSI in late 2018. With 150PS this has more than enough power for the Superb and is ideal for round town while also being very capable on the motorway. In real world driving you'll be looking at around 40mpg.
Both the 2.0 diesel and 1.5 petrol are quiet on the motorway, with good mid-gear acceleration that makes overtaking slower vehicles an easy process.
The Superb is also offered with a powerful 2.0-litre TSI petrol that uses a four-wheel drive system to improve traction and performance.
Originally available with 280PS (later dropped to 272PS) this can also tow 2200kg, rather than the 2000kg of the standard 150PS diesel. However, if 280PS sounds like too much power, then the same towing limit can also be gained from the 2.0 diesel with 190PS, which is also offered with four-wheel drive.
One of the interesting aspects of the 4x4 system is that although it uses the same 235/45 R18 tyres as the other Superbs, its ride quality on the same rutted roads is better, even with its adaptive suspension set to Sport.
Most engines are linked to a smooth six-speed manual gearbox, although six-speed and seven-speed DSG 'boxes are standard for the more powerful versions of the Superb. Given the choice, we'd opt for the manual versions as the gearshifts are short and precise, which makes the Superb an easy car to drive in town or cruise along on the motorway.
The adaptive suspension provides a genuine choice between pillowy, normal and sporty. The Superb excels on the motorway, with a soft and insulated ride and feels impregnable to outside noise. Admittedly, the Superb is not as fun to drive as some of its rivals, but it does everything that's expected of it and more, with safe and predictable handling.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 TSI 125 | 49–52 mpg | 9.6–9.9 s | 125–138 g/km |
| 1.4 TSI 150 | 54–57 mpg | 8.6 s | 115–121 g/km |
| 1.4 TSI 150 DSG | 53–55 mpg | 8.8 s | 117–122 g/km |
| 1.5 TSI 150 | 49–54 mpg | 8.6–9.9 s | 119–130 g/km |
| 1.5 TSI 150 DSG | 53–54 mpg | 8.8 s | 121–122 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 120 | 67–69 mpg | 10.9 s | 108 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 120 DSG | 67–71 mpg | 11.0–11.1 s | 105–110 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 120 Greenline | 72–76 mpg | 11.0 s | 95–96 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI 150 | 63–69 mpg | 8.5–9.2 s | 108–119 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI 150 4x4 | 59 mpg | 9.0 s | 119–120 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI 150 DSG | 63–64 mpg | 8.6–9.2 s | 111–135 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI 190 | 64 mpg | 8.0 s | 107 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI 190 DSG | 60–64 mpg | 7.7–8.3 s | 117–122 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI 190 DSG 4x4 | 53–64 mpg | 7.6–8.3 s | 117–136 g/km |
| 2.0 TSI 190 DSG | 46–46 mpg | 7.7 s | 139–140 g/km |
| 2.0 TSI 220 DSG | 44–46 mpg | 7.0 s | 143–147 g/km |
| 2.0 TSI 272 DSG 4x4 | 40–40 mpg | 5.6–5.8 s | 159–160 g/km |
| 2.0 TSI 280 DSG 4x4 | 40 mpg | 5.8 s | 160–165 g/km |
Real MPG average for a Skoda Superb (2015)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
79%
Real MPG
22–67 mpg
MPGs submitted
273
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
What have we been asked about the Skoda Superb (2015)?
Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.
What car do you suggest for a long motorway commute?
What Cars Are Similar To The Skoda Superb (2015)?
Key attributes of the this model are: Economical, Petrol engine, Cheap Tax, Comfortable seats, Diesel engine, Large boot, Modern technology, Motorway cruiser, Rear legroom, Room for a buggy and Large family.
Unclear on what your next car should be? Use our Car Chooser to pick something that suits your needs.
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