Skoda Superb Sportline Review

Škoda Superb Sportline 2.0 TSI 272PS 4x4 Hatch

WHAT IS IT

Since its introduction to the modern line up in 2001, the Superb has been Skoda’s flagship model and has become the benchmark car for space, comfort and general workhorse-ness, especially if you’re a taxi driver.

However, you won’t find this 2ltr TSI 4x4 emblazoned with private hire stickers, nope, they’re reserved for the diesel models, this is a totally different animal altogether. This, dear reader is only 0.6 seconds slower to reach 60mph than the 3ltr supercharged Jaguar F-Type, and it'll keep going until it reaches its top speed of 155mph. This is the proper definition of the term sleeper, or Q-car.

The keen eyed amongst will have noticed that this latest model is down on power from last year, and this is purely down to WLTP testing regulations that have forced the fitment of an exhaust particulate filter. So while the environmental benefits are welcome, the changes have knocked 8bhp from the engine’s maximum output, too.

ON ROAD

The highlight of our week together was setting off early one morning for Wales, more specifically a section of road near Llyn Brenig called the Evo Triangle. I drive there quite a lot if I’m honest, it takes around 2 hours to get there and after a good chunk of motorway driving from Lancashire, finally getting on the sweeping Welsh roads gives you a sense of what a car is capable of.

Usually, the Superb’s main objective is to waft you along in a state of serenity, but with this model it tries to give you something else. Yes, with 19” alloy wheels and a 15mm ride height drop there’s a more sharpness to its ride, but you still get the over-riding sense that would rather relax you.

That said, the hefty 350Nm torque spread makes spirited driving a breeze and its steering, although light, is accurate. Flicking the suspension mode to ‘Sport’ gives you a bit more rigidity, there’s still body roll but it isn’t offensive. Switching the suspension back to ‘Comfort’ mode and it does a great job of soaking up the bumps and isolating them from the cabin.

You’ll be hard-pressed to get it to wheel spin, even on wet roads as the AWD system works incredibly well. Around corners it gives you a lot of confidence as it’s so sure footed, and that 272ps on tap to slingshot out leaves you with a massive grin. It's easy to drive quickly, maybe too easy!

OFF ROAD

Of course I didn’t take it too far off the beaten track, our ‘off-road’ forays were limited to grassy slopes, forestry tracks and the odd cobbled green lane, and it handled them like it was at Sainsbury’s car park. Its lack of decent ground clearance dictates that it’s more at home cruising along on tarmac, but when driving along sloppy, muddy ruts, its all wheel drive system worked effortlessly, not a hint of wheel spin nor struggle. If however you require an AWD saloon with better ground clearance for more serious tracks, then maybe a Subaru would suit you better.

INTERIOR

Up front you’re cocooned in a comfortable high spec environment. The quilted Alcantara sports seats are a joy on which to sit and the silver stitched steering wheel to hold, though I did find the carbon fibre dash a little bland. On the subject of bland, I’ve commented on this before, but I really wish the Superb had a more dynamic dash layout that justified its position at the top of the food chain in the Skoda range, but I’d still buy one if I had the cash.

Another bug-bear that irritated me over the course of the week was that the centre cup holders aren’t big enough for my Contigo travel mug or Muddy Madam’s Hydro Flask, so fairly pointless really unless you buy small plastic bottles of water, and who does that these days?

As standard you get a sat-nav with an 8” colour touchscreen, drive mode select, dual-zone climate control, a sports chassis and even a Performance Monitor that gives you the G-force on acceleration. The list goes on with stop/start, automatic handbrake, blind spot detection, lane assist and front assist with automatic braking function. Oh, and the usual umbrella tucked away neatly in the drivers door.

As always, rear accommodation is vast and tall passengers have enough space to stretch their legs, and open the hatch there’s ample space for at least a couple of bodies, as proven by Muddy Madam. Don’t ask.

ENGINES ’N’ TRANSMISSIONS

There are other smaller engines in the Superb range that are economical, proficient and feature the very latest advances in fuel efficiency and emission controls and will get you up to around 50mpg, which is fine, I guess, and one day I might even review one, but not today.

At this point I feel I must share some buffoonery with you and admit that I lost my notes on its fuel efficiency. However, looking back at the time I drove the 280ps estate version, even though I often drove it like a hooligan, it still achieved around 39mpg, or at least that’s what its computer told me.

CONCLUSION

I’ve driven quite a few Superbs over the years, from the hatchback to the estate, and I’ve loved them all. No matter which engine or body style you choose they all have this ability to shuttle you along in comfort and style that you would perhaps only expect from a far more expensive car.

Whilst I was captivated with its turn of speed, handling and load space, Muddy Madam loved the comfort, space and the overall feel of the Superb.

For £35,130, plus extras of course, the Superb Sportline 2.0ltr TSI 280ps 4x4 with DSG, to give it its full title, is a true 5-star car, for practicality, fun and value for money, and in my opinion they don’t get much better.