Car Buyers Guide
Skoda Superb 4x4 2.0 TSI DSG
May 2016
Gripes:
- Exterior styling possibly too conservative for some
- Lesser engines aren't as fast but significantly more efficient
- Too discreet to be a performance car
- Other versions make more sense on paper
The third generation Superb has picked up where the outgoing model has left off. Well-known and much-loved for its spaciousness, versatility, comfort and good equipment levels, the latest iteration brings a more modern design, additional technology and updated powerplants. In range-topping 2.0-litre TSI 4x4 DSG guise it is not only the most sporting Superb but also the most powerful production Skoda ever made.
The Superb sits in something of a niche of its own, both within the Skoda range and compared to other brands. Its interior space, and significant rear legroom, put it in contention with luxury premium saloons, but its pricing is significantly below this rivals. Its hatchback bodystyle also makes it arguably the largest car on sale in the UK with this kind of tailgate.
Elsewhere the Superb is famed for delivering a little bit more of everything over and above the competition. Build quality, refinement and the amount of standard kit easily overshadows more expensive alternative choices. Broadly speaking the Superb range has its key attributes in comfort and convenience, but the 280PS TSI model is a little different.
The 4x4 transmission system is available with two diesel engines as well as the high output petrol, and in combination with the seven-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox diverts power to the front wheels unless a loss of traction is detected. This means reduced fuel consumption when running with front-wheel-drive only.
Under the bonnet the 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine is similar to that found in other high performance cars in the Volkswagen Group, but in the Skoda range it is available only in the Superb 4x4. So equipped it is the most powerful production Skoda ever made, as well as the most accelerative. Despite this it does not wear the vRS tag which usually denotes a high performance car from the brand.
The Superb sits in something of a niche of its own, both within the Skoda range and compared to other brands. Its interior space, and significant rear legroom, put it in contention with luxury premium saloons, but its pricing is significantly below this rivals. Its hatchback bodystyle also makes it arguably the largest car on sale in the UK with this kind of tailgate.
Elsewhere the Superb is famed for delivering a little bit more of everything over and above the competition. Build quality, refinement and the amount of standard kit easily overshadows more expensive alternative choices. Broadly speaking the Superb range has its key attributes in comfort and convenience, but the 280PS TSI model is a little different.
The 4x4 transmission system is available with two diesel engines as well as the high output petrol, and in combination with the seven-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox diverts power to the front wheels unless a loss of traction is detected. This means reduced fuel consumption when running with front-wheel-drive only.
Under the bonnet the 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine is similar to that found in other high performance cars in the Volkswagen Group, but in the Skoda range it is available only in the Superb 4x4. So equipped it is the most powerful production Skoda ever made, as well as the most accelerative. Despite this it does not wear the vRS tag which usually denotes a high performance car from the brand.