Exterior
The Superb has always been a rational purchase, a car bought with your head, not your heart. This model, though, is a classy, desirable flagship for Skoda's range. It's a really sharp-looking car.
Interior
Bigger is definitely better in the Superb. You can really feel the difference made by the increase in width and height in the cabin: this is as spacious as family cars get.
Running costs
For what is an undeniably vast car, the Superb's running costs should be fairly reasonable. The 2.0-litre TDI 150 for example, produces just 108g/km. The latest Passat is a tad cleaner, due to being smaller in size, and the Ford Mondeo is cleaner and a bit cheaper (in Zetec trim), but there is no doubt the Superb represents great value. A Greenline model with emissions below 100g/km will be launched soon, for those who really do need to keep their tax bills as low as possible. Servicing, insurance and PCP loan costs should all be highly competitive, but the Passat is likely to command slightly better resale values – but spec-for-spec, the Superb is slightly cheaper, which should even things out.
Performance
A wide selection of engines means there is usually something for everyone, and the Skoda Superb certainly gives buyers plenty of options to choose from. However, despite a range of refined petrols, including a 1.4 with 148bhp and cylinder shut-off technology to reduce CO2 emissions, the vast majority of buyers are likely to pick one of the three diesels. There’s a 1.6 with 118bhp, and a 2.0-litre with either 148- or 187bhp. We tried both the 2.0-litre models, and although there’s not a big difference in performance (both have a decent spread of torque available across most of the rev range) the lesser version feels a tad more refined at speed.The manual 'box positive, action, and the clutch is light enough to make precise changes. The petrol model needs working harder to make quicker progress, but it’s great for pootling around town, and really smooth and flexible, even when you do push it.