THE Skoda Superb Estate has long been the go-to choice for people who appreciate value and quality but also want a huge amount of practical space.
It covers a plethora of needs: Business users who rack up motorway miles and want comfort without the cost of an Audi Avant, dog owners, DIYers and adventure-seekers who want to fit a surfboard in the back (and maybe a couple more on the roof).
Basically, the Skoda Superb is for grown-ups. In an era where everyone seems to be hurtling toward SUVs like moths to overly bright LEDs, the Superb remains defiantly logical. It’s a five-door estate that just works, and it’s all the better for not pretending to be anything else.
Miura or Minger?
The Superb has never been about turning heads, but it has grown into its own in this generation. It’s well-proportioned, clean-lined, and from certain angles, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for something from Audi’s stable.
The current design is neat and a bit sharper than before; that long bonnet, stretched-out rear, and the chrome-trimmed grille give it a hint of class without ever veering into try-hard territory.
In SE L trim, the alloy wheels fill the arches nicely without ruining the ride. The LED matrix headlights add a touch of techy theatre. There’s enough chrome to keep things smart without tipping into bling.
It’s not a show-off, but it’s got the kind of grown-up, understated appeal that suggests its owner can reverse-park without using a camera and its modest confidence is more satisfying than a fake diffuser and four pointless exhaust tips.
Trim Levels and Pricing
There are four main trim levels on offer: SE Technology, SE L, SportLine and the range-topping Laurin & Klement. Prices start at £37,225 for the SE Technology and climb to £46,320for the fully loaded Laurin & Klement. The SE L, tested here, hits the sweet-spot at £40,580 – although the options on my car brought this to £44,100. The SportLine is rocking the vRS vibe and starts from £43,820.
All models get an automatic DSG gearbox, but engine choice is varied, depending on which model you opt for. There is a choice of petrol, mild-hybrid (150 PS, 204 PS or 265 PS), plug-in hybrid (204 PS). Surprisingly, these days, there’s even a diesel choice (150 PS or 193 PS) for those wanting to get more than 70 miles to the gallon. There’s also the option of 4×4 in both petrol and diesel models. So, even the variety of drivetrains is superb . . .
SE Technology is designed primarily with fleet buyers in mind, but there’s no shame in going for it. You still get LED headlights and rear lights, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats with a massage function, adaptive cruise control, Virtual Cockpit, a 13-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloys and a host of safety systems including front and rear parking sensors, pro-active pedestrian protection, forward collision warning, high-beam assist and a lane-keeping system which includes semi-automatic vehicle control in an emergency and traffic jam assist.
The SE L builds on that with more of the nice-to-haves. Leather and faux-leather upholstery with ventilated front seats, a powered tailgate, LEX Matrix beam headlights and 18-inch alloys are just some of the extra features.
The more dynamically designed SportLine gets 19-inch alloys, gloss black exterior detailing, sporty Microsuede Design interior, Dynamic Chassis Control and a top-notch CANTON sound system.
The Laurin & Klement version is Skoda’s answer to “what if we gave this the full Swiss watch treatment?” You get ventilated and massaging seats, rear heated seats, a premium CANTON sound system, black or Cognac leather upholstery and L&K embroidery, heated steering wheel and a 360-degree camera view, along with park assist, Dynamic Chassis Control, and upgraded trim materials throughout. It’s lovely, but unless you spend most of your time in the car then the SE L gives you most of what matters.
What’s it Like to Drive?
This is where the Superb really earns its name. I took the SE L Estate on a run from Glenrothes to Edinburgh, a mix of town traffic, open A-roads, and the occasionally blustery M90. It was, in a word, serene.
The 1.5 TSI e-TEC engine is part of the VW Group’s mild-hybrid tech line-up, paired with a 48-volt system that smooths out engine start-stops and adds a dash of torque during low-speed acceleration. The transition is seamless — you’d never know the engine’s having a breather — but the effect on consumption is noticeable. I averaged just over 50mpg on the drive, and I wasn’t exactly nursing it.
It’s not a fast car – 150PS will get you to 62mph in just over nine seconds – but it never feels short of puff. The DSG gearbox is silky smooth, swapping gears with the kind of effortlessness that just lets you get on with the drive.
Where the Superb really shines is in ride comfort. The damping is spot-on for British roads – soft enough to flatten out potholes and ridges, but never wallowy. The suspension seems to have been tuned by someone who understands that comfort doesn’t have to mean vague. The body control is excellent for a car of this size, and it settles into a motorway cruise with a relaxed gait that would shame many so-called premium rivals.
Steering is light around town but precise enough at speed. There’s not much in the way of feedback, but there’s enough weight and feel to let you place the car confidently. It’s an easy car to drive smoothly, and that in itself makes it more rewarding over the long haul.
Noise levels are impressively low. Even on rougher road surfaces, tyre roar is minimal, and wind noise is kept well in check. The mild-hybrid system also contributes to this serenity – you coast more often, and engine stop-start events are virtually undetectable.
Even in town driving, the Superb maintains its composure. It doesn’t feel overly large, and the DSG gearbox takes the pain out of stop-start traffic. The turning circle is reasonable, and visibility is good all around. It’s not a city car by nature, but it never feels cumbersome, and with front and rear parking sensors as standard plus a rear-view camera, getting in and out of tight spaces is a doddle.
If you’re heading further afield, it’s a genuine mile-muncher. The seats remain supportive over hours of driving, and there’s a sense of refinement that encourages a relaxed driving style. You arrive at your destination feeling fresher than you would in most rivals. In short, it’s the kind of car that encourages calm, considered driving – and that’s no bad thing.
Interior – Superb, of course
Inside, the Superb Estate continues to impress with its clever packaging and a big tech refresh. Space remains one of its biggest draws. The front seats are wide, supportive and offer excellent adjustment. You get electric controls for height, tilt, lumbar support, and backrest angle on this SE L model, which means you can tailor things to within a millimetre of your liking.
There’s also extendable thigh support, which taller drivers will particularly appreciate on long runs. Combine that with a twin-spoke (looks a bit weird) steering wheel that adjusts for both height and reach, and it’s a car that accommodates all shapes and sizes without a fuss.
Storage up front is plentiful and well thought out. The door bins are lined and large enough for bottles, the centre armrest hides a deep cubby, and there’s a useful wireless charging pad up front with twin USB-C ports for the modern gadget-hoarder. You even get a clip for receipts and a cooled glovebox – the sort of thoughtful, quietly brilliant touches that Skoda has built a reputation on.
The old 9.2-inch screen has been binned in favour of a bold new 13.2-inch touchscreen. It’s crisp, fast to respond, and a noticeable step up in terms of usability and design. Navigation, media, phone connectivity – it’s all handled smoothly, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Physical buttons have mostly gone, but Skoda’s solution is better than most. Below the screen sit three customisable ‘smart dials’ with integrated touchscreens. You can set them to control temperature, fan speed, seat heating, or even map zoom, and they work surprisingly well – tactile enough to use without taking your eyes off the road.
The digital instrument cluster (Virtual Cockpit) is also upgraded – crisp, configurable, and clear. You can toggle between layouts depending on your mood: full map, minimalist, or good old-fashioned dials. It all feels intuitive and well-integrated.
The only problem I had was with the stalk-based gear selector. Yes, it allows more space between the front occupants and adds to the minimalist look, but it can sometimes be difficult to see which gear you’ve selected and requires some neck-stretching to do so. However, I suppose if you live with it day-to-day, you’d soon get used to it.
Rear passengers get limousine-level space. Legroom is truly immense, headroom is plentiful, and the seats are genuinely comfortable even on long journeys. The flat floor means no leg-hopping for the middle passenger, and rear climate controls keep everyone happy. The Superb doesn’t just carry people; it cossets them.
And of course, the boot is still vast. 690 litres with the seats up, nearly 2,000 litres with them down. The loading lip is low and flat, the tailgate powered, and the space useable in a way few rivals can match with configurable loads space dividers and a roller-cover that automatically moves out of the way when you open the tailgate. The estate car is far from dead – it’s just been perfected by the Czechs.
Conclusion
The Skoda Superb SE L Estate doesn’t shout about itself, but it delivers exactly what it promises – space, comfort, refinement, and value in a world of over styled, overpriced crossovers. It’s the kind of car that makes your life easier without trying too hard. The ride is smooth, the economy is impressive, and the cabin is a lovely place to spend time.
The SE L trim hits the sweet spot between spec and sensibility, and unless you’re desperate for ventilated seats or a branded sound system, there’s little reason to go higher up the range.
The PHEV version should also prove popular as it has a real-world electric range of 84 miles which means your petrol may sit in the tank for a good while, waiting for that extra-long trip where it may, finally, be needed.
For families, long-distance drivers, or anyone who values real-world usability over trend-chasing, the Superb is one of the smartest choices on the market. It’s the kind of car you buy with your head, fall in love with and end up recommending to everyone who’ll listen – usually while standing in the boot, gesturing proudly at all that space.
- AT A GLANCE:
- Skoda Superb SE L 1.5 TSI e-TEC
- OTR Price: £40,580
- Engine: 1.5 TSI petrol
- Power: 150 PS
- Transmission: 7-speed DSG
- 0-62mph: 9.3 secs
- Top Speed: 137mph
- Combined Economy: 50.2 mpg
- C02: 128 g/km
