Skoda Superb Estate - long-term review

It’s funny, but when you actually look forward to doing a bit of driving or using a car to its fullest, you know something’s going well. And yes, I’m fully aware that constantly singing the praises of a 2.0-litre diesel estate car is a bit dull, but age is knowing what’s good and caring less about what’s supposed to be cool. Although saying that in a world of MHEVs and hybrids, electric SUVs and small-capacity turbo engines is lauding what appears to be a throwback.

But the 2.0-litre diesel suits this work. It’s been refined and sorted for years. It might only have 190bhp (193PS in European), but there’s 295lb ft of torque (400Nm) on offer between 1,750 and 3,250rpm, which is exactly where you need it. A 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds is in the sweet spot of fast enough, and although a top speed of 142mph is largely irrelevant, it means that a continental cruise on an Autobahn or 80mph Autoroute will be easy pickings. A fact reinforced by 57mpg if you’re doing UK 70mph speeds. The Superb is supposed to get 47mpg combined, but in a big turn up for the books, and a devastating indictment of my grandparent-style driving, I’m actually getting over 50. I don’t really use Sport mode and have a habit of clicking the car into Eco for the 50mpg per tank extra that it provides. Sorry, but when you pay for your own diesel…

The seven-speed auto works very well, sorting gears with minimum fuss, even if it’s not the absolute last word in deftness on the odd upchange. You can use the paddles - which I do on the odd cross country lope - but really, it’s more about sitting back and letting the car take the strain. And again, the four-wheel drive system only kicks in with any authority when the front wheels have raised concerns, be that off-road or on.

Saying that, I’ve been consistently surprised that the Superb can find a bit of grip on a wet grass field without any trouble. If you’re on-road, you’ll find that the whole thing is stable and consistent, but tends towards early onset understeer and a gentle kind washing out, like it’s forgotten where the apex of a corner once was. Nothing to be concerned about, but the racier humans in the office would call it boring. Boring is good - boring is what you want on late night drives in the rain. Interestingly, the ‘progressive dynamic steering’ seems to blend very nicely - you rarely notice much difference unless you concentrate. There’s enough feel at speed and no muscle required when parking, so something’s right.

There’s a slight raised eyebrow at the ride at times, mind. We’ve got this car on the smaller wheels and Pirelli Sotto Zero winter tyres - and yes, I’ll run them in warmer weather and don’t care - so there’s a touch more sidewall. But get a big enough pothole or series of lateral ridges and you’ll still get a proper jiggle from the suspension. More a commentary on my local roads, but it’s wise to note that this isn’t limo-like at all times. It does stay level and true no matter what’s in the back though, and I’ve had it absolutely stuffed full of gear thanks to university-bound spawn.

Have to say though, it’s the little things. The multiple hooks in the boot, plus 12-volt charging points both sides, the ability to drop the rear seats from the boot via the levers in the same panel. The actual spare wheel. The extra nets for stowage. The little umbrella in the door cubby, the centre console that houses a sunglasses holder and screen wiping block, the clear tag in the windscreen that holds a parking ticket. The fact that you can switch off the speed limit warning bongs and lane-keep assist quickly and easily through the steering wheel clickwheel. The fact that the LED Matrix lights on the L&K are absolutely spot-on, and the CarPlay/Android is wireless and automatic. There are 5 USB-C ports in the cabin, and the voice control actually works. It’s a good basic car with attention to detail that makes it a great one.

Oh, and this car has a function called ‘Trained Parking’ where it emulates your home-or-office based regular parking manoeuvre, which I can only get to do half of. Impressive, right up to the point it isn’t. It doesn’t like any change in the environment, and tends to bail out and stop if there’s inconsistencies. Which sounds like me, if I’m honest.