The 2020 Skoda Superb Sportline!Read Caroline’s Skoda Superb review for everything you need to know about buying Skoda’s largest car.
The ŠKODA Superb is a bit of an Irish legend, loved for its huge cabin and ‘more for less’ pricing. The ŠKODA brand gets better and better and the company is now the fourth bestselling brand in Ireland. ŠKODA has a place in Irish hearts some brands can only dream of, backed up by cars that people want to own and drive. The Superb is one of Ireland’s favourite cars and over 18,000 of them have found homes in Ireland since it arrived here back in 2002.
In what could be interpreted as a nod of respect for the Irish grá for the ŠKODA brand, it has recently been announced that ŠKODA’s first ever electric SUV will be called ‘Enyaq’! Electrification is already a feature of the range with the arrival of the ŠKODA Superb iV plug-in hybrid.
The latest generation of the ŠKODA Superb arrived in Ireland in 2015 and is the most successful version of the car to date.
The interior of the new ŠKODA Superb SportlineWhat’s new for the latest Superb?
ŠKODA has revamped the Superb range for 2020 with revised styling, updated interior and new features, as well as the addition of the new plug-in hybrid. The range goes on sale in Ireland from €30,985.
Other engine options include a 1.5-litre TSI petrol with 150 hp, a 1.6-litre TDI diesel with 120 hp, and a 2.0-litre TDI diesel with 150 hp. 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic gearboxes are available. Diesels are available from €33,295.
My test car was a Superb 1.5-litre TSI DSG in Sportline trim with a list price of €39,955.
This is a very handsome car and looks ‘superb’ in Sportline trim, which adds sporty features such as a black radiator grille, black 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED Matrix headlights and a lowered sports chassis.
For the facelift, the grille is now larger with double slats and protrudes a little further down into the front bumper. The headlights are narrower and come with LED technology as standard for the dipped and high beam. At the rear, a horizontal chrome trim
connects the full LED tail lights, with ‘ŠKODA’ spelt out for the first time in block lettering.
Other trim lines include the entry level Active, followed by Ambition, Style, and the range topping L&K.
The 2020 ŠKODA Superb offers class-leading interior space!Inside the Superb
The Superb continues to set benchmarks for spaciousness in the segment with up to 625 litres of boot space. I exclaimed when I opened the boot! In my job I see lots of boots, but the Superb’s is surprisingly cavernous for a car that looks as elegant as this one.
It opens like a hatchback for extra practicality and access. It’s no wonder this car is so popular. Cabin space is also truly excellent and rear legroom best in class.
The interior is solidly built with new infotainment systems adding more modernity to the Superb range.
The Sportline model retails from €37,485 and adds sport seats with Alcantara®/leather, tri zone climate control, ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, cruise control and aluminium pedals.
The Superb Sportline has great looks and imageDriving the Superb Sportline
The Superb is all about big car comfort and refinement. It’s got a fantastic transmission in the form of the DSG automatic gearbox mated to the 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine with 150 hp. Diesel used to be king in this segment but the Superb petrol does a fine job. It’s smooth and quiet, though it does lack the punchy torque of a diesel. Over a week of driving my fuel consumption averaged at 6.9l/100km so high mileage users will still want to look at the diesel.
Despite the rising popularity of SUVs, there is still a generous market for big cars like the ŠKODA Superb. While there is keen entry pricing into the range, the Superb no longer has to play the budget card because it’s such a fine, desirable car. The Sportline trim is my pick of the bunch and draws plenty of admiring glances.
The Superb is ageing very well and now has renewed pep in its step with a refresh in styling and updated equipment in the cabin. A new plug-in hybrid certainly creates momentum around the Superb again, though the petrol model on test is still hugely relevant to buyers, as is the diesel option.
The Superb feels great to drive and is a ‘superb’ buy!
The Superb range is available in Ireland from €30,985Caroline Kidd
Model tested: ŠKODA Superb Sportline 1.5 TSI 7-speed DSG
Price: €39,955 (from €30,985)
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol
Power: 150 hp
Torque: 250 Nm
0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds
Top speed: 218 km/h
Fuel consumption (WLTP): 6.0-6.9 l/100km
CO2 emissions: 136-156g/km
Motor Tax: €270 per year