2009 Skoda Superb – First Steer
June 26, 2009 by Paul Maric
2009 Skoda Superb – First Steer Review
How cheesy, we arrive at Sydney Airport and the limo waiting to collect us is none other than a Skoda Superb.
Sitting in the back seat of a car we are yet to drive, while a glorified taxi driver dodges and weaves through Sydney traffic to get us to our hotel – what a horrible way to begin a car launch! So I thought.
The chauffeur loaded our luggage (three adults worth, along with my gigantic camera bag) into the boot and we all jumped in – with me riding behind the driver.
After closing the door, I was at a loss for words. I could literally stretch my legs out comfortably and not have my head of hair touching the roof, an absolute first for me in almost any car.
It turns out our equally tall driver had his seat in his preferred driving position (which was almost all the way back), so there wasn’t any trickery involved with first impressions.
To top it all off, the drive to the hotel was a non-event in terms of near misses and regular Sydney drivers, not a bad start I thought.
The following morning we set out on our drive route, which was to cover a great portion of the bush north of Sydney, eventually winding back and stopping at the Rose Seidler house, which is a very interesting place and most certainly worth a visit if you’re in the need for something to do over the weekend.
My co-driver and I started the trek in the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel Superb. Producing 125kW and 350Nm of torque, this feisty diesel is mated to a six-speed DSG. For a car that weighs some 1655kg, the diesel really hauls it along with great ease.
Hills are dismissed with a dollop of throttle, while gaps in traffic are taken care of with a light hearted jab at the throttle.
As I have previously mentioned in my Skoda Octavia review, there is just something strange about the new DSG arrangement. It stutters and jolts off the line randomly if you’re inconsistent with your take-offs from a standing start.
Pricing for the 2.0-TDI starts at $45,990 for the Ambition grade and $48,990 for the Elegance grade (more on the grade divisions later).
Ride quality is absolutely spot on for cruising. The suspension simply soaks up holes in the road and made light work of the wavy New South Wales roads we endured.
Fuel consumption for the frugal diesel is just 6.9-litres/100km. While a dash from 0-100km/h takes just 8.8-seconds – just slower than the much more powerful and smaller, bog stock VE Commodore.
Where the 2.0-TDI liked a bit of roll-play in the corners (and I’m not speaking about the theatrical sense), the flagship 3.6-litre V6 laughed them off with each successive lob of the steering wheel.
Powered by the same engine fitted to le Passat R36, the 191kW V6 produces a hearty 350Nm of torque, with a note sonorous enough to get the ears tingling.
The engine is extremely smooth and deliciously linear. Gearshifts are smooth in the regular drive mode, but bordering on vicious when the six-speed DSG is placed in sport mode.
Although the ‘4×4’ insignia all over the car is a bit ‘puhleese’ – as are the four exhaust pipes – the top of the range Superb well and truly makes up for it in terms of handling and performance.
Where the 2.0-TDI felt a bit wishy-washy through the corners, the V6 effortlessly trounced them. The vehicle we were driving was fitted with the optional 18-inch wheels, so there was a significant increase in ride firmness, but it wasn’t overdone and tiresome.
Steering feel is very impressive with plenty of feedback on offer through the wheel, and the steering wheel size itself is also the way it should be, with enough space to grip it from each side in comfort.
Where the 2.0-TDI is the frugal model of the bunch, the V6 is respectively the least frugal, sipping through a combined 10.2-litres/100km.
The V6 gets bigger brakes than the 1.8TSI and 2.0-TDI. The 1.8TSI and 2.0-TDI receive 312×25mm front ventilated rotors and 286×12mm solid rear rotors. The V6 on the other hand receives 345×30mm ventilated front rotors and 310×22mm ventilated rear rotors.
Pricing for the V6 begins at $56,990 and is available in a single grade – Elegance.
In addition to the 2.0TDI and V6 models available in the Skoda Superb range, a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol variant is also available, known as the 1.8TSI, but due to limited availability, we weren’t able to drive this variant.
It offers 118kW of power and 250Nm of torque and is priced at $42,990 for the Ambition grade and $45,990 for the Elegance grade.
The difference between Ambition and Elegance is $3000 in monetary terms. The difference in price nabs you Bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System; electronically adjustable driver’s seat with memory; leather seats; alarm system with interior monitoring and an optional 400W, 10-speaker sound system.
One of the innovative and cool options is the solar cell sunroof, and before all those Toyota Prius fans start jumping up and down, Skoda had the idea first.
The sunroof, unlike a conventional sunroof, is fitted with solar cells that absorb the sun’s rays and use the power generated to operate the vehicle’s internal ventilation system. This allows the temperature of the cabin to be reduced by up to 25-degrees Celsius on a hot day, and it’s free! Well, the power generated is, not the sunroof, it’s a – gulp – $2290 option.
Parking assistance is also available as an $890 option on the Superb, it’s a feature that automatically parallel parks the car in the event you can’t be bothered or don’t know how – and it works really well!
Interior space across the range is remarkable. There’s 585-litres on offer in the boot (more than both Falcon and Commodore), while the rear leg room is just astonishing and needs to be seen to be believed.
Skoda has patented the technology it uses to split-open the tailgate. The technology allows the operator to open the tailgate as a boot or as an entire tailgate. The innovative technology works quite well and would well and truly come in handy when it comes to loading and unloading large items.
Safety equipment standard across the range includes nine-airbags (driver and front passenger front and side airbags, rear passenger side airbags, full length curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag). Electronic Stability Control is also standard across the range and the car scored a five-star EuroNCAP rating overseas and this was recently translated into a five-star ANCAP rating.
I may sound like a broken record here when it comes to Skoda products, but it’s nigh on impossible to fault what the Czech arm of VW is doing.
Although some may not agree with the design (I know it hasn’t grown on me just yet), it’s far from offensive and the rest of the car well and truly makes up for it.
Everything from the drive to the ride is done with the utmost precision, it’s any wonder half the limousine companies in Australia don’t purchase a large fleet of these cars.
If you’re in the market for a new large sedan and want something big enough to haul family and friends, your local Skoda dealership MUST be your first stop.
Innovation and creativity is key to the functionality and design of this car – it’s something the Japanese and Australian’s are yet to hear about.
*Please note: Pricing is pre on road costs.
Print it: 
I’ve found German videos comparing Skoda Superb with Audi A4, Seat Exeo and VW Passat:
http://www.autobild.de/autobil.....ip_id=1391
http://www.autobild.de/autobil.....ip_id=1392
Skoda was the winner here.
that split tailgate is an AWESOME idea!!!
Well it seems to be a very competent car. However, I’d still take a Passat first. Not because I have a prejudice against against Skoda, quite the contrary, but because I like the Passat more. Plain and simple. I expect the story would be different if I had children though. I can’t think of a better family sedan and it looks significantly more stylish in black with big wheels.
I think as well as the Passat though, I would have a lot of trouble taking one over a significantly cheaper Mondeo which is a better drive than even the Passat. People can site rear leg room and boot space all they want, this car is a Mondeo/Accord/6/Passat/Laguna competitor and a very worthy one but I expect the drive may leave a bit to be desired. However, I can’t talk, I haven’t driven it but I have read reviews that say the same thing.
Still, good luck to Skoda on continuing to grow in the Australian market. Just bring and estate version so the slightly frumpy back can be taken care of.
Just to add, does anybody agree that the back of this car may look a little less fat if Skoda changed both the shape of the back windows (they don’t quite fit with the car if you ask me, they need to be more rounded) and the rear light cluster? I picture LEDs in the rear lights and longer, thinner indicator and reversing lights rather than the slightly dated ones it has now. Just wondering what others think.
Good First Impression Guys!!
Hope fully that should open up the eyes of some of the SKODA knockers on here!! Especially the interior room wise, eh DesignEng?!!
“One of the innovative and cool options is the solar cell sunroof, and before all those Toyota Prius fans start jumping up and down, Skoda had the idea first.”
Why then was CarAdvice claiming the Prius’ system was a world-first in an earlier article???
What a pity once again the manual transmission is not offered.
I have driven the Golf DSG and while circulating through the gears is brilliant, the take up from standstill in either first or reverse can jolt you with surprise.
Come on Skoda bring the MT version in.
Great car, as said above in many ways!
Alex, I do agree with your design improvements. The rear window shape I’ve always thought to be a little bit odd as in wtf did they do that when you can actually see a better design in your head.
On the sunroof, I think I’m right in saying the Prius’ sunroof actually charges the batteries whilst the Audi/Skoda (no VW has it) sunroof is more to power the air-con etc whilst the engine is off. Good idea nontheless, means that there are less crap in the air as you don’t need the engine to be cool.
I realise all the people from last night’s Superb post will still say it has a number of faults, with others claiming that these “faults” are just opinion and yet the “faults” are correctable. This review shows that this car doesn’t have many faults at all (only the DSG – VWs fault – and that the design isn’t easy to adjust to for some) so consider you
lot served. Yep I’m gonna say go and look at one, because this is the only way people can change their perception of this car, and then look at a Passat. You will have to agree the Superb is a better car.
Good review guys!
Looks like a Toyota Avalon redesigned by Russians
I’ll be the first to admit that I was seriously underwhelmed with the styling of this, but I have to agree with Alex that in black with those wheels it actually doesn’t look too bad. Still not great, but not offensive by any stretch.
It still seems a bit of a shame that a car with such obvious mechanical, ride, quality and comfort credentials needs to have such divisive styling.
It’s unique but not a Laguna, big but not a Commodore and luxurious without the German price-tag. Brilliant.
As for the style, I find it inofensive and linked to it’s roots of practicality over style in a typical Eastern European way. The rear doors are designed to allow passengers ease of entry and exit not for looks. The new improved version of the Daihatsu Applause hatch, again for practicallity. The Mazda 929 sunroof for a better driver compartment (BTW the $2290 sticker price is more than reasonable guys, check out an after market Hollandia unit for any car!).
The only real drama I see for this car is the lack of service outlets. This could be rectified by comming to agreement with existing VW or Audi service centers, until such times as the dealer network is enhanced
I’m not particularly sold on the Passat’s styling either as I find it quite plain. Take away the LED tailights & I find its looks quite dated.
& don’t even get me started on DSG. I test drove a Passat wagon with the new common rail diesel engine late last year. Couldn’t stand the lurchiness I got from taking off from a standing start. Ended up contemplating the turbo FSI as it comes with a traditional auto however had lost interest with the salesman’s speil by the end of my visit.
He had the same carrot up his ….. as the Audi guy up the road had but he was selling VWs! I think they don’t realise they aren’t actually a prestige brand.
Frontman:
Skoda will be aligning with a large number of its Volkswagen dealers to rectify the issue of after sales support.
In addition, an extra set of dealers have now been opened in each state (except NT).
I think over time, more of this will occur to further the Skoda customer relationship.
Paul Maric: “Fuel consumption for the frugal diesel is just 6.9-litres/100km. While a dash from 0-100km/h takes just 8.8-seconds – just slower than the much more powerful and SMALLER, bog stock VE Commodore” (my caps)
Paul please explain why you think that the Superb is bigger than a Commodore, when it is 2″ shorter and 3″ narrower. Superb is Camry size.
Sure the packaging is good, the boot is fantastic, but the styling is still very subjective. Niche model = niche model sales numbers.
Looks good to me (has a kinda KGB menace about it)
Is much better built than Passat ( I know I have spent 3 years in a Passat and it is rubbish )
Is less sterile inside than an Audi but feels almost of equal quality.
Is much bigger than Falcodore inside (except width which is a little smaller) in the back it feels like a Statesman.
Is too expensive full stop.
Paul, had heard that just needed some one else to say it for the neysayers out there ;-)
This move is taking some talking but will be worth it ….
DesignEng:
The claims are made on the basis of a bigger boot (by around 10%) and far more interior leg and head room.
It proves that you don’t need a big shell to make good use of the space.
The Superb’s engines offer enough torque to move the car (even with passengers). In addition, the V6 – which is quicker than the Commodore and Falcon by 2 and 1 seconds respectively – doesn’t impinge on interior room.
Styling will always be subjective, no matter what the car is.
Be ok for $30k, ie LESS than it will be worth the day you drive it off the lot….
Want rear seat leg room, try a GM/H Statesman.
NOT my cup-of-tea, maybe yours, to many SUPERIOR *normal* cars at that pricepoint.
Cheers
F-0
A family car for our times. A step up for the family man.
OK Thanks Paul. So you concede that the performance and economy figures would be more relative to a CamAurion size/weight car, rather than the larger Commodore.
FWD vs RWD packaging always gives more interior room for external dims.
FrugalOne, in UK and Europe SKODAs have excellent resale…
WTF should Australia be any different?!!
I guarantee this will have a poor resale value. Low volume sales & a lack of interest by 2nd hand buyers will mean these vehicles will drop to 60% or less of their value after 3 years… Just look at other low volume large size euros like the Citreon C6.
FrigalOne:
Yes, you can opt for a Statesman/Caprice, but you also have to live with inferior build quality, at least double the fuel use and very average resale value.
When did you drive the Superb? I assume you have, because I’m sure you wouldn’t comment on other vehicles being superior without actually driving, seeing or sitting in the Superb.
DesignEng:
No.
The performance figures equal and better a Commodore in at least two of the engine grades offered. The fuel consumption figures in all vehicles also outdo the Commodore.
In fact, the V6 Superb out performs the SS Commodore in a straight line and uses 50% less fuel at the same time.
FYI, the V6 Superb is all-wheel-drive and has the same leg and head room as the 2.0-TDI and 1.8-TSI models, so the whole FWD/RWD argument simply doesn’t fly anymore.
Looks great in black. It would be good to see the twin-tailgate thingy on the next Octavia.
Skoda need the Fabia here, if they priced it correctly, it could be a real winner.
I would love one in a wagon
“Be ok for $30k, ie LESS than it will be worth the day you drive it off the lot….
Want rear seat leg room, try a GM/H Statesman.”
———————–
I find it amusing how you use resale value to justify your distaste for the Skoda, and then proceed to cite the Holden Statesman as a viable alternative. When was the last time you checked the Redbook values on any glorified Commodore?
For those that think the Superb is too expensive, I challenge you to find a car of the same size as a $48,990 Superb TDi Elegance, with DSG, turbo-diesel efficiency, and is as well equipped as the aforementioned.
Wow. VW Australia sure are arrogant profiteering bastards. A glance at the Superbs specs in comparison to what VW sting you is sickening.
I dont mind this skoda…compared to other Euro brands I think it will definately find some homes and the interior looks nice and it has some clever versitile features.
A car this size with the 1.8TSI engine is a worry though. Would explain that one wasnt available to drive for the day as it would have been the weak link in the model line up (2.0 Turbo diesel is my pick of the bunch performance/economy ve purchase price)
As for the Sunroof with solar cells built into it neither Skoda nor Toyota were the first to use this technology….Sorry to dissapoint followers of both brands claiming to be the first.
The Lancia Thesis (Fiat Group Technology) were the First to use this technology when they unveiled their luxury flagship model back in 2002 until the model was discontinued in 2007!!!!
The sunroof incorporated 21 monocrystalline cells that supply an overall power output of 24 Watts. When the car is parked in daylight the energy produced by the cells supplies the ventillation system to exchange the air in the passanger compartment.
Want to see more clever features for it’s time…power assisted door openings etc.
Visit http://www.topspeed.com/cars/l.....30099.html and see for your self.
Cheers
Looks slightly better in black.
@paul
Think you might get a shock Paul if you put it on the starting grid againts a SS Commodore on the 400m and around a track. Using Skodas factory times againts this sites real world AFM times is pretty amateur on your behalf.(and lets face it compared to alot of times out there from various sources in the SS AFM this sites is not the best…)
Also agree with the comment made that it looks like an avalon. From the side/rear thats exactly what it reminds me of.
Big fan of the hatch rear, smart idea carried over from its little brother.
Actually I take the Avalon comment back….from a distance maybe, closer up no. At least it looks a little more modern than other skodas, still not a good looking car but.
DAMIEN^^^^
I will nominate 2 x
Citroen C5
Peugeot 406
Yes Statesman has apalling resale too, as did the Fairlane [not farm]
Cheers
F-0
AussieCars:
The numbers speak for themselves. VW often underquote their times, whereas Holden aren’t even confident enough to quote figures.
Again, until you have driven the car, I’ll put your comments down as armchair-expertism.
“I will nominate 2 x
Citroen C5
Peugeot 406″
——————————–
Neither of these cars are as well equipped, or as spacious as the Superb. Do the maths and come again.
The C5 has an inferior engine/gearbox and is less efficient, smaller and MORE expensive with the entry HDI model starting at $52,990.
The 407 ST HDI starts at $46k for the auto, so it’s marginally cheaper than the Superb. However, besides the price, it’s the same story as the C5.
Observer Says June 26th, 2009 at 10:06 pm: “As for the Sunroof with solar cells built into it neither Skoda nor Toyota were the first to use this technology….Sorry to dissapoint followers of both brands claiming to be the first. The Lancia Thesis (Fiat Group Technology) were the First to use this technology when they unveiled their luxury flagship model back in 2002 until the model was discontinued in 2007!!!!”
I don’t think it’s important who was the first to use sunroof with solar cells, but you’re wrong with Lancia Observer. Skoda is using it since 1st gen. Superb (2001):
http://www.netcarshow.com/skoda/2001-superb/
True Alan,
It’s not like SKODA is going on about it…
Question is why not many other, especially Australian brands have implemented yet??
Alan
Your right solar panel sunroof isnt that important, but I only made reference to this feature because others were discussing about it as well as the editor.
It’s going to be a close call who can claim to be the first to use it anyway…Lancia had a production ready model unveiled at the Geneva motorshow in March 2001.
Cheers.
ALAN
Thank you for providing the links to the German Autobild TV.
I like the closing of the German redactor: “Well, my dear VW-managers, it is time to say, the real cars for “folk” come now from town of Mlada, not from Wolfsburg.
JERRY
wait till the end of this year, the Superb COMBI/WAGON is planned in November for Europe.
For Observer, Alan, Paul and anyone else who is interested etc ;-). The “solar panel” sunroof had been used even before then. Whilst I am not claiming it was the first, the 1990-1 Mazda 929 had solar cells in the sunroof that topped the battery up in cooler weather and then ran the ventilation system when the interior warmed up. I am sure there would also be a car that did the same thing even before that. So in reality, it is not really new technology. :-)
Devils Advocate
Thanks for the info….actually I forgot about the Mazda 929. They probably used it the Eunos (Mazda Luxury arm) first.
Cheers.
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Skoda is to VW what pontiac is(or was)to GM.
VW is The New GM Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
“Skoda is to VW what pontiac is(or was)to GM.”
That would have to be the silliest comment I’ve ever seen on this website.
How is that comment the silliest one you have ever seen on this site VW Freak? To me it seems fairly close to the truth, which is quite rare compared to a high percentage of the comments I have seen on this site (don’t worry, I know some are not serious!!) ;-) Skoda is part of the “VW family/empire” just like Pontiac is(was) part of the “GM family/empire”. The only real difference is that Skoda is not “scheduled for termination”! To be honest here have been WAY sillier/far-fetched comments on this site than that. :-)
Wonder when Skodas split tailgate design will make its way ont the future model Volkswagens Audis or Porsches etc
It’s so cool and innovative. When it does it will be one of the only things in automotive history to make its way up the line given that most new features are first released on tip of the range models then gradually filter their way down the line
Paul, I’ve read that the Superb is actually a better put together car than the Passat on which it is based. Any thoughts on that?
For information, the old Daihatsu Applause also had the split tailgate design like the Skoda. Interesting idea, however it would lower chassis rigidity a little though
Anti-spam word: Pontiac. LOL
My Aunty has a Daihatsu Applause and the boot/tailgate doesn’t split like the Skoda does.. where you can just lift up the windscreen or the boot as well – as in the above pics
It just goes up like a normal hatch does its just that the Applause has a slightly stretched rear boot lid like a sedan does to add a little more storage space
One of the issues with this making it into the limo market Vs the Holden twins is interior width – If it’s not as wide as the Holdens it will struggle to be accepted as there is a requirement to fit 3 beefy blokes in the rear with not too much discomfort.
As for this having the same engine as the R36 – not quite – the R36/CC 3.6 has a higher state of tune and puts out 220 kW, almost 30 kW more.