Fourth-generation executive car looks particularly tempting as an estate On sale Spring 2024 Price from £34,000 (est)
Steve Huntingford steve.huntingford@haymarket.com
IF THE ESTATE version of the outgoing Skoda Superb was a football team, it would be the championship-winning Arsenal side of 2003-2004 or the AC Milan one of 1991-1992, because, like them, it proved invincible.
In addition to winning every group test in which we entered it, it took home our Estate Car of the Year Award eight times. So, it’s safe to say that the all-new version has big boots to fill.
Speaking of which, the size of the Superb Estate’s luggage area has always been one of its strengths, and the new car’s is larger than ever, at 690 litres (up 30 litres on its predecessor’s). For context, the BMW 5 Series Touring – itself a fine load-lugger – makes do with a capacity of 570 litres.
As before, the estate will be sold alongside a Superb hatchback that’s almost as practical, with the new version of that offering 645 litres of boot space (20 litres more than before).
Whichever version you go for, there’s a handy storage cubby on each side of the boot opening. However, there’s a big drop down from the sill to the boot floor in the hatch; the estate is available with a height-adjustable floor that solves this.
The distance between the front and rear wheels is as it was, so passenger space hasn’t changed. But that’s not a problem, given how big the old car was; rear leg room is worthy of a limo, while head room is also generous.
What has changed significantly is the dashboard design, with the infotainment touchscreen (which measures 10.0in or 13.0in, depending on the trim level you go for) positioned a lot higher than before so that you don’t have to take your eyes far from the road to operate it.
As a bonus, while many manufacturers seem determined to consign traditional physical controls to history, the Superb has three simple dials beneath its touchscreen; the outer two let you adjust the climate control and heated seat temperature with the minimum of distraction, while the central one can be used to quickly change the fan speed and stereo volume or select a different driving mode.
Our only complaint – based on a chance to sit in the finished product – is that those dials feel a little flimsy; indeed, the interior as a whole doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as the old car’s.
At launch, buyers will be able to choose from three petrol eng
