Skoda Superb Review & Road Test
September 10, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 Skoda Superb TDI & TSI Review & Road Test
The big car’s not dead, but the big engine might as well be.
Models Tested:
- 2009 Skoda Superb MkII TDI Elegance; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel; six-speed DSG automatic; hatch – $48,990*
- 2009 Skoda Superb MkII TSI Elegance; 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol; seven-speed DSG automatic; hatch – $45,990*
Options (As Fitted):
- Metallic Paint $990; Six-CD Stacker $790; Park Distance Control $590; Satellite Navigation $2890
Rear legroom; boot space; capable TDI engine; value
Torque on TSI model; option pricing; ambiguous styling
CarAdvice Rating: 
Words: Matt Brogan Photography: Paul Maric
Seldom does a car’s name actually describe its nature in any way at all, I mean think about it, the Fiesta is hardly a celebration of life, the Colt is by no means a young male horse and the Camry, well just what does that mean anyway?
However, when it comes to describing Skoda’s latest long-wheelbase hatch, more apt a word could not be considered than its own name.
Now before I get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s tackle the big one first, Superb’s ambiguous, and slightly ungainly looks.
The Superb is a car truly built for function. It’s shape and design, while unlikely to win any beauty pageants, does make an incredible amount of sense once you open the doors and step inside.
Inside all the odd, out of place curves and awkward lines allow Superb an incredible amount of space. There’s lengths of legroom, hectares of headroom, and a boot that just seems to go on forever.
More than this the Superb offers an elegant ambiance and a level of comfort that, were you to remove the badges, could easily be considered on par with German rivals that sport a much heavier price tag – and all this before even turning the key.
A quick glance around the sensible, contemporary styled cockpit and you’ll find standard features that are sure to impress, and should you have deep pockets, an option list that will make the Superb the envy of all your friends.
As standard equipment Superb offers dual-zone climate control; trip computer; self dimming centre and wing mirrors (which are also electrically operated, heated & self-folding); single-CD tuner with auxiliary input, SD card reader, 10GB hard drive and steering wheel mounted remote controls; cruise control; auto headlamps and wipers; remote keyless entry; and electrically adjustable front seats with three memory positions and lumbar support.
Functionality is simplistic, intuitive, and the driving position excellent, especially when you consider that most long wheel-base offerings are designed purely to pamper those in the rear seat, though I’m not for a moment suggesting the Superb fails to do exactly that.
The rear pew is a veritable acreage of space and with seat heaters as standard, a centre armrest with ski hatch – and even an umbrella holder in the door – is a rather cosy and practical proposition as well.
Road noise is acceptable at 71dB at 100km/h, though personally speaking, a little more sound insulation wouldn’t have gone astray given the coarse chip asphalt found on most of Victoria’s roads.
In terms of ride we found that, thanks to a strut front, multi-link rear suspension arrangement, Superb’s comfort levels drew many favourable comments from even the most die hard German car enthusiasts who happened to grace the back seat.
Best yet, the compliant ride has done little to impede on the car’s handling with the Superb managing impressive levels of stability and responsive steering even when driven to a level one would not accustom with a vehicle of such decadence.
Over the course of a fortnight we were fortunate enough to test two offerings from Skoda with both the 2.0-litre TDI, or turbo diesel, and 1.8-litre TSI, let’s just say turbo petrol for simplicity’s sake, availed.
For my money the TDI is the pick of the pair with a requisite 350Nm of torque on hand quite low in the piece and smooth shifting six-speed DSG transmission.
Performance is quite capable for the car’s purpose and manages brisk, almost lag-free acceleration from standstill. Overtaking too makes highway travel a confident affair, even with a car full of people and luggage.
The TSI model is similarly impressive and manages to hold its own in city traffic, thanks primarily to the wallop of torque being available from just off idle and the additional cog of the petrol model’s slippery seven-speed DSG.
Fully loaded the petrol Superb is kept a little busy in the gears, and high in the rev range when tackling steep hills, but it’s not that you’d notice. The gearbox is meticulously smooth with no hunting or muddled grabs for low gear evident. In fact with the exception of a slight stumble off the mark, I’d even go so far as to say the ‘box is one of the best I’ve driven this year.
Fuel economy returns are impressive whichever option you choose and, given the TSI model can run on 95RON petrol quite comfortably, make the economics of the situation a matter of clarifying your priorities. For the record, our week in each vehicle returned 8.7 litres per 100 kilometre and 7.2L/100km for the petrol and diesel respectively.
As is becoming the trademark for most large Skoda’s of late (think Octavia) the Superb features a versatile split level boot that sees the car transform between a large sedan or a large hatch at the push of a button.
Cargo capacity is a capacious 565 litres when used as an ordinary boot and can be expanded to a cavernous 1670 litres with the 60:40 split fold rear seats down and cargo cover removed.
Safety comes courtesy of front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags as well as ESC with Traction Control and ABS brakes with EBA and EBD. The Superb scored the highest possible five-star rating in stringent EuroNCAP crash testing.
With these remarkable lower capacity engines proving themselves as both capable and efficient in either petrol or diesel guise, the large car equals large fuel bills challenge is dead in the water when it comes to Superb.
When you consider the value on offer, this is one large car certainly worth a look in.
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look: 
How does it Go:
Road Test the Rivals:
Specifications (Diesel):
- Engine: 1968cc DOHC four-cylinder (16-valve)
- Power: 125kW @ 4200rpm
- Torque: 350Nm @ 1750rpm
- Induction: Turbocharged & common rail
- Transmission: Six-speed DSG
- Driven Wheels: Front
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 220km/h (Claimed)
- 0-100km/h: 8.8 seconds (Claimed)
- CO2 Emissions: 182 grams per kilometre
- Fuel Consumption: 6.9 litres per 100km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 7.2 litres per 100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- ANCAP Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP
- Airbags: Front, side, curtain & driver’s knee
- Safety: ESC with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: Space saver
- Suspension: Strut (F)/Multi-Link (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 565 litres/1670 litres
- Tow Capacity: 1500kg (braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
- Warranty: Three-year/unlimited kilometre
- Weight: 1698kg (tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 17×7.5-inch (Elegance)
Specifications (Petrol):
- Engine: 1798cc DOHC four-cylinder (16-valve)
- Power: 118kW @ 4500rpm
- Torque: 250Nm @ 1500rpm
- Induction: Turbocharged & direct injection
- Transmission: Seven-speed DSG
- Driven Wheels: Front
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 220km/h (Claimed)
- 0-100km/h: 8.5 seconds (Claimed)
- CO2 Emissions: 200 grams per kilometre
- Fuel Consumption: 8.4 litres per 100km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 8.7 litres per 100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
- Fuel Type: 95RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP
- Airbags: Front, side, curtain & driver’s knee
- Safety: ESC with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: Space saver
- Suspension: Strut (F)/Multi-Link (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 565 litres/1670 litres
- Tow Capacity: 1500kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
- Warranty: Three-year/unlimited kilometre
- Weight: 1647kg (tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 17×7.5-inch (Elegance)
Print it: 
To me this is how the Toyota Avalon series 3 would have looked if they’d made it.
Drove the V6 the other day – man it makes a nice noise, and it drives fantastically (as you’d expect from anything built by the VW Group). Not sure about the looks being ungainly (yes sure they’re not beautiful, but I can’t see how a Commodore is better looking?) as the front looks grumpy and somewhat angry (something I quite like – its resonably aggressive). Interior is greatly finished too – its a great car!
Its a great car, but I know Commodore etc drivers will not get it. Fuel efficiency is something they don’t associate with themselves, and neither is sophistication.
Oh, and if you think its a bad car, go and drive it…Your self-mindedness shall be fixed (Y)
This isnt a Commodore rival. It rivals the Statesman, and you r typical Bogan doesnt drive one of them. Probably the only thing wrong with this car is the rear styling. the front looks like its angry, but the rear looks droopy. Another thing that annoys me is the lack of a six stacker when even povo pack come with it nowadays. otherwise brilliant car from the little marque that could.
Shak – I’m pretty sure the single-CD system as quoted above is a typo – Even the Ambition comes with the Bolero touch-screen radio (and that comes with a 6-CD Changer) so I think its CA’s fault, not Skoda.
Alex – how isn’t the Passat frumpy? It is wincey (just look at the front – its saying please dont hurt me and when you get to the rear its so arrogant)!
Can’t wait for Observer to come on and blab about Skoda/VW’s terrible reliability and how Subarus are so much better…
It just isn’t Jake. I wouldn’t call the Passat sleek, but it isn’t bulky or bulbous looking at the back like the Superb, it’s quite sharp looking really.
Thanks for clarifying. I went on the Skoda site and saw that the base model came with 6 stacker and thought something was wrong with the article.
I think if you get the Sat Nav, you lose the stacker because of the 30GB hard disk, but get a DVD player instead.
I drive a Commodore VZ sandman as a work car and Im just stating that again because you Euro freaks seem to think anyone who drives a commodore does not appreciate other cars/brands and that you seem to know better.
What the Superb does for the price is great. The interior like all Skodas seems spot on and well done. And that hatch like the Octiva is a fantastic idea.
From the windscreen forward its actually quite modern but from there back it gets really ugly. And sadly unknown ugly cars do not seem to sell well over here.
The diesel is great(we all know this from previous applications).But funny thing is that petrol engine is acceptable in such a large car to some of the Euro lovers on this site (not mentioning names) yet the new 3.0 for the Commodore is not. (Because apparently alot of people on this site do large amounts of heavy towing)
My opinion, if looks arent a factor then the Superb seems like a good family car. Can not think of one large car that looks that good on the inside for that price. Would I buy one? Not for me but maybe for the family but my partner would not drive it…I just showed her the picture and she said she would drive it off a cliff its that ugly.
@Jake02 :I am pretty sure if you done a survey to non biased people “What is the better looking car superb or commodore?” I reckon about 95% of people would give the nod to the commodore..not just in Australia but anywhere..
But hey to each there own and if you like this kind of styling then good for you.
I think I can remember you stating that you drove a Magna. Well there you go, and commenting on styling. Interestingly the styling is not an issue in Europe and your criticism is quite thin, again.
The 3 litre engine for the Commodore reflects small budget and and places it about five years behind the Euro offerings, again. And for the looks of the Commodore, the Germans were accurate when they described it’s styling as the Australians ‘just not getting it’.
The 2L TDI with DSG is indeed a superb proposition for the average family man.
@Will
I do. The family car is a 2004 Magna soon to be replaced next year. Workcar a VZ v6 sandman which Im almost certain I said in that same post way back there champ. But I am flattered you remembered 1 of them.
As for my criticism being thin? I said it was ugly….besides that I think its a good car. Unlike your narrow minded take on cars which we have all come to love on this site Im not really fussed on what badge sits on the bonnet of a car for me to like it.
As for the Germans saying us Australians “just not getting it”..was this a vote carried out across Germany? Or one obnoxious journalist who was a tad jealous? I can make a large list of cars Germany has produced that alot of journo`s from around the world just do not get styling wise. A few BMWs and a 4 door Porsche come to mind straight away.
Aussie Cars
Nothing wrong with a Magna. A lot of cultural cringe on this site.
I’m personally proud of our local cars. It’s the euro stuff that is massively over-priced and over-rated.
Far, far, far uglier than any Commodore, once again proving that Skoda just doesn’t ‘get it’ when it comes to styling a vehicle. An offense to the eyeballs. This thing should only be looked at through plate glass that has been liberally coated with vaseline…and 50 grand? ROFL
As your nick says mate, “whatefa”
“This thing should only be looked at through plate glass that has been liberally coated with vaseline…and 50 grand? ROFL”
Have the school holidays started?
I challenge anyone to name brand new vehicle that is as big, economical and as well equipped as the Skoda Superb Elegance TDI, for under $50K.
Huh?? The 3 litre Commodore is 5 years behind the Germans? The new Commodore V6 is one of the most competitive 3L engines on the planet which runs on 91RON fuel, and its even better once you realise the Commodore is as cheap as a Maxima or a Accord.
The older I get the more I realise how much anti-australia is running through young kids.
Great car, but if I wanted a saloon I’d get a Passat because the Superb may be massively practical, but it’s also frumpy. However, I would definitely buy an estate version of the Superb if I wanted a large estate car and was on a budget.
I did’nt like it at all in pics , saw it at the dealer , now it make sense , it is a competitor to the statesman etc , in the flesh very upmarket conservative attractive in a quirky way .
But hell after seeing the new liberty in the flesh , fugly as , superb looks great .
Whats with the japanese, is it some competition to see who can do the ugliest , they seem to do great designs , then when the replacement comes up they go to water .
Mazda is the only company they has got a clear direction , with consistent winners .
@ Alex’s comment to my above comment – forgot to click Reply, the new layout is something I haven’t gotten used to yet…
lol ok then…I’ll pay that on the wagon, but not the sedan. The rear overhang is function over form…
Also, CA – Bi-Xenon headlights are standard on the Superb Elegance.
It’s certainly function over form, design-wise. When it’s as uncompromising as this, it’s very cool. Ugly and dysfunctional, on the other hand, are not.
I sat in one a few days ago. From a static view-point, it’s ingenious.
$48,990 for Superb TDI – not that far off a 2.0 Diesel BMW or AUDI.
I’d rather spend 60K on an AUDI Q5 than $49K on a soon-superceeded Passat platform.
(isn’t a new platform Passat is just a year or two away?)
The Superb TDI does come with alot more standard though…OH and the Passat hasn’t even reached its mid-life facelift – it came out in late ‘05 in Europe – so it maybe here for a while longer. I’m pretty sure the Superb’s version is longer and revised to be newer. And what the hell is wrong with the Passat platform anyway?
and just for your information i thought i would let you know that the Golf 6, current Audi A3, A4, Passat sedan and wagon, Passat CC, Tiguan, Octavia, and Yeti are all from the same platform. So don’t put false information out into the general public just to put strength to your claims that are obviously not well informed. Based on what you’ve said they are all on a superseded platform and due for replacement in 2 years so all you car enthusiast out there get ready for 2011 it should be very eventful.
Skoda Convert, was that aimed at me?
“$48,990 for Superb TDI – not that far off a 2.0 Diesel BMW or AUDI.”
You’re a fool, t39. The 120d Steptronic has an RRP of $48,000 and you’re basically getting a car in the same category as the VW Golf. If you were anymore ignorant, you would have compared the Superb with the Hyundai i30 CRDI…
“I’d rather spend 60K on an AUDI Q5 than $49K on a soon-superceeded Passat platform.”
In that case, I’d rather spend $75k on a VW Touareg V6 TDI and get myself a real SUV that is actually capable of going off-road, over a soft-roader with off-road and sporting pretensions (but ultimately, failing at both). Where does the buck stop?
t39, I agree. $49k is too much to pay for a car most people haven’t heard of. I’d rather go for Audi or VW-whose pricing is just a couple of thousands away. As for the Q5, I’d go for it if I’ve $60k to spend.
“t39, I agree. $49k is too much to pay for a car most people haven’t heard of. I’d rather go for Audi or VW-whose pricing is just a couple of thousands away. As for the Q5, I’d go for it if I’ve $60k to spend.”
Typical Australian insularity. Since when were Australians representative of “most people”?
Good to see the Skoda made it through this road test without suffering from an electrical problem or anything falling off this time.
And there it is. Observer, tell us all where you get this wildly exaggerated opinion of Skoda/VW’s bad quality (especially Skoda – VW’s is abit worse) other than Wheels magazine?
He works for Holden, his line manager told him this!
I’ve owned 3 Golfs since new so I’m I can tell you a lot about VW Group
lack of reliability and bend over service charges.
But hey dont take my word for it…remember the Tiguan that suffered a collapsed driveshaft during Wheels car of the year standard slalom testing and more recently Skoda Octavia Wheels long term test car coming to a holt due to electrical gremlins with less than 3,500km on the clock.
Or you could simply go to http://www.myvwlemon.com and see for yourself?
I remember that Tiguan. At least it didn’t fall over.
Wheels actually seem to like Skoda a lot lately
Its Skoda not Holden, so thats why it made through the test without anything falling.
I own a Skoda observer. That was a very dumb and naive comment.
What if that was you breaking down in your Skoda…would it be dumb then?..Sorry to dissapoint you but thats what happened to the Skoda with only 3,500km on the clock.
Dont shoot the messenger.
Skoda has realeased pics of teh wagon and it looks much better
agreed.
Yeah…Kluger on it’s side. Oh what a feeling…Toyota
Im am reading a typo or does the Superb have rear seat heaters as standard.
For the Elegance model yes (Y)