Skoda Superb Wagon Review & Road Test

Pros: Space, ride, fuel economy, quality, standard equipment

Cons: Stereo a bit wobbly, rear seat width

By Karl Peskett | July 19th, 2010

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Price: $23,490 to $37,800

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	3.5
Comfort and Interior	4
Quality & Design	4
Value & Features	4
Green	4

Space, economy and equipment – all for a decent price

Model Tested:

2010 Skoda Superb Wagon Elegance; 2.0 litre, four cylinder, turbo-diesel; six-speed DSG; four door wagon: $49,990*

Options:

Metallic Paint $990

CarAdvice Rating:

Skoda’s large car, the Superb, has been battling in sales recently. If you’ve read our reviews of the Superb, you’ll realise that despite its relatively low sales, it is a very good vehicle and quite a competitive package in the large car market.

The latest VFACTS figures reveal that 638 Skodas had been sold from January to June this year, up on last year’s 477 for the same time period. Of those, 130 were Superbs; if it doesn’t sound like a lot, it’s not. In the Large Car under $70,000 category, it only represents a tiny fraction – 0.3 per cent.

The Superb’s competitors – Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Aurion – have all wiped the floor with the Skoda. Part of the problem is a relatively small product range. So, to help it to gain traction sales-wise, Skoda Australia has just released its station wagon version, the aptly named Superb Wagon.

Of the sedan and wagon, it’s the wagon which is the looker. Its large rear end seems to balance out its stubby snout, but there are also nice design cues like the curved crease in the side of the tail light which goes from the bumper cutline and matches up with the swage line running along its flanks.

The roof rails and chrome window surrounds imbue a sense of expense, while there are other neat touches like the car’s name embossed into the headlight surround. Finished in the Platin Grey paint of our test car, it’s not exactly a show stopper, but it’s not an optical assault, either. It sits somewhere in the middle – bland but safe.

The interior fares slightly better, with neat, wood highlights which aren’t over the top, but break up the masses of grey leather and black plastic. The steering wheel’s chrome upside-down arc mimicking the chrome surround on the Superb’s grille is a neat touch, while the wheel-mounted buttons and scroll-wheels make it cinch to navigate through stereo and vehicle functions.

Volkswagen’s RNS510 satellite navigation is included as standard, with touchscreen and voice activation. It’s such a simple system to use, and features an SD card input as well as MP3, CD and DVD playback. With such a variety of formats it’s a shame the speakers which go with it can’t handle any bass at high volumes. The speakers don’t emulate a tight bass without vibrating and sounding floppy. At least the treble is crisp and clear.

Instrumentation is very Volkswagen-like, meaning clear, readable dials with a multifunction display in between. Dual-zone climate control, four seat-heaters, parking sensors front and rear (both displayed on the central touchscreen) and enough storage space – including a nicely sized glovebox – make the Superb well equipped. But there’s another handy feature which comes standard.

Park Assist helps the driver to parallel park the car by taking over steering control. It uses the front and rear parking sensors to detect the distance from the surrounding cars, while all the driver needs to do is apply gentle accelerator and brake inputs and the car parks itself. Given the length of the Superb and consequently the diminished ability to judge its outside corners, it’s a handy feature to have.

By virtue of its length, the Superb Wagon discloses another interior secret – its colossal space. There is no wagon on the market today that has anywhere near the legroom of the Superb Wagon. Front seat passengers can put their seats back as far as they like without encroaching on the rear passengers; there’s no compromise.

The overall interior width doesn’t really allow for it to be a permanent adult five seater, although on short trips, the middle rear seat will be fine, and perfect for a young child. Really though, how many times do you carry around five adults on a long-term basis? Treated as a full-time four-seater/occasional fve, the Superb’s combination of boot space, head, leg and foot room surpass anything else in its price range.

At 633 litres, the boot is just enormous, but being a wagon, it’s easily accessible, too. With the rear seats folded down, an amazing 1865 litres becomes available. There are luggage holding straps ensuring nothing goes astray on your journey, as well as a space-saver spare wheel hidden underneath the boot floor. There’s even an umbrella hidden in the rear passenger side door.

On the road, the Superb Wagon feels like a Volkswagen – no real surprises there. It receives a softer suspension tune than the very firm V6 version meaning it’s able to absorb the bumps and undulations our roads offer with surprising ease. It also handles decently, with a neutral stance unless it’s really pushed, so while it’s no sports car, it turns in and hangs on as you’d expect from a luxury family wagon.

The steering is a little numb in feel but well weighted, and doesn’t suffer too badly from all 350Nm running through the front hoops; torque steer isn’t an issue. The Superb’s brakes aren’t over-assisted either, so it doesn’t suffer from any snatchiness, but rather offer a progressive feel, and plenty of deceleration when called upon.

Volkswagen’s six-speed DSG and smooth 2.0 litre diesel combo again are put to use in the Superb – a drivetrain we’re pretty familiar with by now. The transmission supplies rapid shifts when rolling, while off the mark it can be a little laggy, something you’d get used and account for after a short time.

But what came as a real surprise was the Superb’s fuel economy. With most press cars we expect to use slightly more than their ADR sticker figure. During testing under ADR compliant procedures, Skoda’s Superb Wagon returned a figure of just 6.6 litres/100km. So what amazed us the most was in our week of driving, through our regular mix of city freeways and suburban backroads, our test car used just 6.1L/100km.

Think about this: no other car in this category could go near that sort of fuel use, not to mention that none of the Superb’s competitors (sedan or wagon) come as a diesel variant. The diesel Superb wagon isn’t slow, either. At 8.9 seconds from 0-100km/h it’s no ICBM, however its mid-range pull (between 2000rpm-3800rpm) helps when darting through city traffic as well as overtaking on country roads.

As a car-buyer who’s looking for something with a lot of room, with quality fittings and comfortable surroundings, then the Superb Wagon could well be a worthy contender.

Throw in brilliant fuel economy, an unlimited kilometre warranty, excellent ride, standard sat-nav and park assist, and it’s not just families who should be taking a serious look at the Superb Wagon. Taxi companies should also be looking very seriously at this car.

Of course, we know that’s happened overseas, but in a country where we’ve become accustomed to large cars, then the big Skoda should be sized up by plenty of buyers. Some would say that the looks don’t do it for them. That may be so, but do looks always matter? After all, look many AU Falcons Ford sold…

Ratings:

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road or statutory charges.

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The competition

HOLDEN COMMODORE

Rating:

FORD FALCON

Rating:

Shak

“Park Assist helps the driver to parallel park the car by taking over steering control… all the driver needs to do is apply gentle steering and brake inputs and the car parks itself” Doesnt that mean the driver is doing all the work?

Besides that, this car deserves to sell in droves, but lack of advertising and a badge that hardly anyone knows are killing this car.

http://www.caradvice.com.au Karl Peskett

Well spotted Shak. Gentle accelerator and brake inputs – it’s been ammended.

It’s actually quite creepy but you get used to it.

AussieCars

I think its only the grill that kills the looks of this car. If skoda made a sports version with sportier looking grill, suspension, body kit, wheels and manage keep it in the lower 50k mark they would sell a heap and it would go a long way in helping Skoda in this country.

A V6 AWD soft roader version with lower plastics bodykit (like outback,adventura) if done well would sell too.

1st Skoda I would actually not mind having in my driveway as the family car… not bad at all.

Simon

I agree, particularly if they could get their hands on Audi’s famed 3.0L V6 TDI. If that was an option with AWD and ZF 6 speed (also used in Audis) I’d sign up tomorrow.
I personally really like the looks.

Speaking of Audi, I notice there are no reviews for A3, A4, A5, A6, A8 or Q5 models on CA – what gives?

Stoney!

Unfortunately the V6 TDI is to wide for the engine bay, hence using VW’s 3.2 VR6. And the ZF is a rear drive gearbox in Audi’s, not a front drive setup like the Superb.

Stoney!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668475019 Jake Williams

I’d like the engine from the Audi TT RS in a Superb . That’d be one somewhat quick Superb RS!
Simon

Stoney, while the engine may be too wide (which makes no sense as it is available in the smaller A4) the ZF is used with Quattro AWD.
Also AWD comes with the 3.6L (not the 3.2 you mentioned) Superb. So as far as I can tell the only reason it hasn’t happened is because Skoda has probably been restricted from accessing this engine by VWAG.

G

Great car. Should be selling much more, but as usual, brand is everything…
Brad

I am about to pull the trigger on the Octavia vRS estate but I’m considering spending a little more to get one of these instead for the size and luxury.

I appreciate I’d be forgoing performance, but hey, we have to grow up sometime, don’t we? LOL

If only there was more than 1 Skoda dealer in Perth.

skodite

Hey Brad, buy the the 1.8 turbo Superb and get it chipped and you will not be giving up much performance on the RS !

Baddass

This is a really handsome car, and a really convincing overall package. I said I liked other Skoda (most of all the Yeti) but this is one I could really live with and be confident I got best car for it’s type.
SubiOwner

How about the Outback 2.0 Diesel as a competitor. AWD which this is not.

http://www.caradvice.com.au Karl Peskett

The Subaru Outback sits in the Compact SUV category and therefore is not a competitor to the Superb Wagon which sits in the Large Car under $70,000 category.
Able

I think you want a Skoda Octavia Scout if you’re comparing to an Outback. The Scout is a little bit smaller so it’s interior room is a little less than the Outback but that means it’s quite abit more nimble and drives better. The Scout is cheaper than the Outback (even if you fully option the Scout and compare it to the Outback Premium Sat-nav it’s still less). The Skoda quality is also higher (with soft-touch plastics as opposed to the hard and scratchy ones used on all Subarus these days). Otherwise they’re pretty comparable.

http://caradvice OSU811

The liberty wagon in premium specs it the logical
competitor for this car!!, and the Outback is not in the
compact SUV class (thats the forester) but the medium SUV class! and yes they are pretty comparable except for
the AWD factor!

Right on

What planet are you on???

There is mo comparison here, the ideal comparison would be with the Skoda Octavia and even then the Subbi would be left for Rae on quality and technology

Able

The Superb really ups the level of comfort and interior trimming of my Octavia RS (well you’d hope so for $10k+ more…). I saw/sat in one in person the other day and it’s fabulous! Soft leather, soft plastics, tech galore, MASSIVE boot and it’s reasonably priced. They just need a Superb RS to suit the sportier of us drivers out there (think just how many Passat R36s are sold, I see more R36s than any other Passat) and then it’d be great (only under $70k on-road though) and then I’d be satisfied. Otherwise, a fantastic car.

The only thing I don’t like is the grille. I wish it was made to be a little bit smaller and pushed further back without those lines that go through it and into the bumper. That is all I’d change.
Christopher

I think the car speaks for itself. It represents outstanding value, it’s so well equipped in standard form. Skoda Australia won’t, in my opinion, move forward in Australia until they expand and improve their dealer network.
Aussieitalian

Looks great. Drove a diesel variant in the Superb and… well it was superb! Excellent value for money and the estate looks the part.
Chairman

Are there air vents for the rear?

Forgive me but I like the look!
Yo to

One reason they cant sell them, cause Skoda cant get them!
Well in Australia anyway…

I went to order one, if I put an order in this month ill get one in Jan 11. Not good enough.
By the time it arrives its probable and certain a new model is due to arrive shortly after that and with that a kick up the bum for resale.

It seems that all European cars are like this at the moment. I was also looking at Mondeo’s and even Passats, all the dealers keep telling me that a delivery date cant be committed mainly due to Australia having low priority.

Boooo!

Golfschwein

Any floor stock available?

Golfschwein

Just answered that myself. Yes, there is, but you get what you get. And if what you get isn’t what you want………oh well, there was a nice Burgundy wagon Id readily snaffle, even if I had to truck it west.
NM

This car sounds like its going head to head with the Mondeo wagon. After buying a Mondeo wagon 12 months ago the Superb would have had a fair bit of consideration. Saying that I don’t see too many Mondeo wagons on the road either so although both are good cars for the segment neither are going to break any sales records.

Dave

The only concerning thing is skoda’s reliability. A skoda wagon broke down during wheels magazines test. Also the skoda’s based on the last generation golf which Volkswagen publicly admitted that it was ‘difficult to manufacture which affected the cars reliability’. Also what about servicing golfs can cost up $1000 to service as there imported parts are expensive; these Skodas would also be quite expensive to service. On the plus side these skoda’s have the seven speed DSG straight out of the Bugatti veyron which is an amazing gearbox plus the interior quality of this car is above industry average.

Golfschwein

That’s pretty wild stuff there, Dave. Most of it’s way off-beam. The VW group’s cars have much commonality, but only the Golf Mk5 was ever discussed as being complex to manufacture. Most services are around the three hundred mark, with only the 60,000 service so far topping out at around $700. And yes, the Bugattis have a DSG, but not this particular one, rest assured!

I’m right with you on the interiors of the cars.
Will

Dave, a machine that malfunctioned during time with Wheels mag. means little. My machine has now done over 40k and has spent some 30 months on the road. No claims under warranty, no rattles, no leaks, the machine performs like a charm.

Would you rather have us buy, for example a Comformadore…er some 5 recalls this year? Oh Dave…

rocket_v6

Comformadore…awesome words how did u come up with this
Dave

What was that? I can’t say anything else about my Skoda (which has not yet failed under warranty) so I will say negative things about Australia’s number 1 car.

Its great you love you Skoda, but you dont need to put other peoples cars down to boost your own ego.

The Oracle’s Headache.

Dave you were the one that highlighted the breaking down of the Skoda. I was a wheels mag reader for 20 plus years (it’s all free on the net now) and can tell you that there were numerous occassions where they tested Commalcons and they refused to start or simply shut down. It’s not unique to Ford and Holden though. It happens regularly to the so-called “luxury marques” too.

It’s not about boosting egos, merely highlighting the facts. Despite the occassional hiccups and the bogan ford v’s Holden garb the reality is that the Commalcons represent top buying for what you actually get. We don’t live in a perfect world and our local parts suppliers sometimes rush things through as the weekend aproaches. That’s human nature.

Will

DaveToo:
What did you actually hear and from whom?
Tsk Tsk…
Richard

Dave… do you actually research any of the stuff you write? The Superb is not based on the Golf. Servicing is not $1000.

Dave

I don’t have an ego; second of all I would consider buying one of these if there reliability was as good as skoda says they are. I also forgot to mention that this is just a cut price Volkswagen passat thats cheaper and made of the same quality parts. My apologies for any offence from what I had wrote. Also the 7 speed DSG otherwise known as DQ200 is the same gearbox as the veyron except it modified to handle the torque of the veyron. The VW group’s cars have much commonality, but only the Golf Mk5 was ever discussed as being complex to manufacture (this is true and the new Mk 6 hasn’t had reliability problems so far because its manufactured in Germany not South Africa. Fi

Bimmerc

Dave, DQ200 is totally different to the one fitted in Veyron. Veyron’s gearbox is wet clutch design, and the gearbox layout is completely different either.

The Oracle

Quite right. The Veyron gearbox is manufactured by Ricardo in the UK, whom I believe also manufacture many F1 and other racing transmisions.
The VW DSG gearboxes are designed by Borg Warner, though VW do the actual manufacturing or assembly themselves.

Tomas79

Funny, that on Uk’s Top Gear Car reliability study, 2 skoda models were the only 2 European cars to make it into the top 10….

Dave

I looked up their website and it was surprising to see a Skoda; thanks for the eye opener. Top gears surveys are quite thorough so the results are accurate as well.

The Oracle’s Headache.

Dave the location of build tends to affect quality (i.e fit and finish) and not reliability as the cars are only assembled in Sth Africa albeit with the panels pressed there. The problematic items in the golf most notibly the transmission are shipped in from Germany as a completed item.
Right on

FACT: Skoda was also commissioned to be a part of the Gen 6 Golf production, as they had a better track record they worked very closely with VW to get the Gen 6 Golf to a point where they were reducing electrical/mechanical faults and their plastics were lower in cost but apepared higher in wuality asthetically.
Although they made the vehicle more simplistic in some respects, it was considered the Skoda counterparts made a better engineered vehicle as it was less complicated. The thought was if they could produce a better product with less complication then they were able to achieve something VW couldn’t and therefore were superior in their engineering approach.
The Golf 5 was widely reported as “over engineered” they simply made it to complicated to make and to fix.

mmmmmm

surely a ‘huge’ wagon that can only seat 2 comfortably across the back seat fails the family market this is supposed to be designed for.

Golfschwein

You’ll need a Territory, Falcon or Commodore then. Select your degree of familiarity with fellow passengers. My Golf seats 3 across and it’s narrower than this car. Squeezy, but there. I’ve also been the middle passenger in a Falcon on a long trip. Less squeezy, but there’s still no room to flap your arms about, as you are in constant bodily contact with your neighbours.

I think the best way to think of this is that all cars are best as 4 seaters. Rarely do you see all 3 pews taken.

Tomas79

Exactly!!

Dave

Our locals did not make a name for themselves by only be able to seat 2 in the back. A lot of Austrlain families love the extra width of the local cars. Room for 3 baby car seats if you need it.

Nice car, but not for everyone.

http://caradvice.com.au Skoda1

The great thing is dealers are already discounting them online by 4-5k on driveaway prices, before you get into the showroom.

It wont be long before you can pick up an ex demo TDi Eleganve for a shade over 40k, especially as most of the early models don\’t have the Sat Nav installed as quoted in the \”standard equipment\”, which equates to an automatic discount of $2.8k once the next Sat Nav equipped cars arrive in August / September.
Save it for the track

VW-Audi group have too many options for the small Australian market, with Golf (hatch & wagon), Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and the Audi range, Skoda are priced too close to VW in Australia. Skoda are definitely good cars, but I feel the brand is not long for Aus.
.
I still maintain that if anything, VW group should have brought back the ‘Seat’ brand, the products of which seem to be more differentiated from VW than Skoda are (looks wise), but who knows what the pricing would be like.
.
No doubt a Superb wagon with the fuel consumption and space, and performance would compare well overall with a Falcon or Commodore wagon for a family. However, the combination of brand snobbery, and ignorance see most stick to the status-quo.
Ezz

The centre concole design appears to be a little dated in that the monitor sits quite low. Most modern interiors are moving this higher for easier and safer viewing.

Something about the Skodas that appears tired to me. It is like they have taken on other manufacturer’s design cues, but a generation too late.

This is one thing that may well continue to hold them back here.

****

Will

Australian design standards are commensurate with some five years lag when compared to that of Europe. Take for example the General Motors subsidiary product, the Commodore Touring Wagon: One design award from, wait for it…Australia, and after a few years on the market this product already looks like a Korean second from some ten years ago.

So which design team do you work for?

bob

Why not just buy the real thing and have a Passat wagon?

Tomas79

It’s not the same thing troll!!

The superb is large!! And according to some reviews even better built!!
Able

What kind of comment is that!? The real thing, sorry I can’t get over that. Lecture time! The Superb is a car that shouldn’t be victimised by badge snobs like you, it’s European, not Korean, after all. I might add that the Superb is a bigger car, much better equipped, it has more space (especially the boot), is better made/just as high quality and offers the same excellent European efficiency. On the looks front I find both saloon versions quite awkward to look at, but I love the estates. So, because the Superb is better than a Passat you could say to Passat owners: “Why not just buy the real thing and buy a Superb?”

Sexythang

you just contradicted yourself in your statement “The Superb is a car that shouldn’t be victimised by badge snobs like you, it’s European, not Korean, after all”.
Horst

It’s funny coincidence that you say this. I’ve just read today’s Telegraph (UK). They said: “Now Skoda even outshines its not only VW itself, but also the German car maker’s prestige marque, Audi.” They were refering to customer poll (64,000 car owners) where Skoda has been named as best maufacturer. Lexus 2nd, Mazda 3rd.

ABMPSV

Excellent car good quality. My sister drives this car very fast in Germany and fuel economy is 6.7 L/100km when driving around 150km/h.
Chairman

It’s actually a good looker if u see it on road! Move over VW, Audi……
sakegaby

Skoda has still a lot to learn from VW group.
We hired a Skoda Superb Wagon diesel in Europe, and I didn’t like it.
Bad seats, funny driving position, and very noisy engine at high revs (highway). Not a nice car to drive.
The only reason they sell so well there is because they are cheap.

Ian K.

Bad seats? in Superb?
Funny driving position? in Superb? Did you try to play with the buttons?
High revs? on European highway? With 6 speed manual or 7 speed DSG? How could be? Did you try to use the gearbox:-)
Maybe you rented the “S” cheap version with 105bhp and 5 speed manual that is made for the UK market in order to get even more city dwellers in England?
Drive with the Superb Estate 350km every Friday and Sunday on motorway – consumption 6,5 litres/100km, with fuel tank 60 litres no need to visit petrol station the whole trip. ( and no probs with spine

Right on

“TOP GEAR LUXURY CAR OF THE YEAR” beating out E Class Merc Wagon

Australian press (namely you Karl) “the Superb Wagon could well be a worthy contender” for a Commodore Wagon????

The brand will never make in roads in this country until motor writers like you Karl stop treating it like a hot potato. The contrast in Europes perception of this brand and in particular this model, is so far skewed from the “Australian” perception it is hard to see what we base our perceptions on. Is the Commodore such a high bench mark that this vehicle just scraps in as a contender?? I think you couldn’t find a soul on earth who could look you straight in the eye and tell you it doesn’t kill the commodore in every single aspect be it either technology, space, drivability etc

I don’t own a skoda and don’t intend on owning one anytime soon but i like the brand. I read reviews from OS and they make out as if you would be mad not to own one, i read reviews like this one and think i would be half mad to.

You might want to dig a little deeper with your facts also as the seats, mirrors, steering wheel etc are all Audi A6 not VW, the parts are shared across all three divisions.

Can’t get my head around it really, comments like

“Something about the Skodas that appears tired to me. It is like they have taken on other manufacturer’s design cues, but a generation too late.

This is one thing that may well continue to hold them back here”

Europe find the car progressive and superior in engineering ability and wuality to its VW cousin and yet we feel as Australians that we are in a postion to deem it tired and outdated………………………

The Oracle

The one car at the Sydney Motor Show that made me take a serious second look at it was the Skoda Superb. I just couldn’t believe the enormous room that was in a car just 4.8m long. Sure you wouldn’t fit three front row forward in the rear seat, but for 4 adults it is incredibly roomy. The performance with either 4 cyl engine would be adequate and the V6 very good. The fit and finish and value are exceptional. I think the styling is conservative, but well done. I don’t think I would have even considered the Superb if it wasn’t at the show. I’ve ordered a brochure and requested a test drive. We’ll see if they follow up and it’s definitely on my short list for when I replace my car in Q1 2011.

Right on

Good on you Oracle,

it may not be the definative answer but it\’s well worth the look. Personally I can\’t see a better option in the market at this price range currently, I thnk it will impress anyone with an objective analytical mind.

Look at the 125kw Tdi, the V6 is unecessary for anything other than flat out speed (same 0-100 as GTi Golf)

Steve

Like the car, silly little item is putting a badge on the speakers stating ” Sound System”….derrrr…

shockjock

Looking at one of these – 118tsi Elegance wagon against the 118tsi passat wagon as replacement for RS wagon when it goes next year. Need to try both. I think the new passat wagon is a bit better looking.

Geoff

I’ve been looking for a new vehicle around 45k and am not finding any significant reasons for buying Superb Wagon other than being somewhat concerned that the brand might go the same way that Seat did in the 1990′s.
Ajith

I have owned Skodas since 2005, a Fabia hatchback, Fabia Sedan, Octavia 2.0 FSI (the only brand new one i have had), Superb 2.8 V6. Been driving a Ford Explorer for the last 9 months and now I am switching to the new Superb 1.8 Turbo. Great car, constantly improving.
TomR

We own a Skoda Superb Elegance TDI Wagon. The car is a pleasure to drive and has so many features you have to spend the time to study them all. Quality is excellent. The 2.0 TDI has plenty of power and massive mid range surge. Bit rough down low, but it gives the car a bit of character. Love the DSG. You can easily fit three adults in the rear.
If the car proves to be reliable, we will be buying another skoda.
Guest

I love the grill on this car. Worth a million bucks !!!