Nearly-new buying guide: Skoda Superb Estate

On the road, the early 1.4 TSI 150 and later 1.5 TSI 150 are surprisingly punchy and gutsy. The 2.0 TSI 190 and 220 are effortlessly quick, while the 2.0 TSI 280 hits 62mph from rest in just 5.3sec. 

The 2.0 TDI 150 diesel is punchy too, and nothing beats a diesel’s low-down grunt. It’s the sweet spot in the range, really. In fact, it’s so good that the 2.0 TDI 200 feels a bit superfluous. 

Meanwhile, the iV PHEV is one of the quicker versions of the Superb Estate (0-62mph takes 7.8sec) and has an official electric-only range of up to 38 miles. 

All Superb Estates handle well, and if you avoid 19in wheels, it also has a pleasantly supple ride. 

Inside, the driving position is just so, the dashboard and the major instruments and controls are all laid out in a clear and logical way and the quality of the materials used is good. Its raison d’être is that space, of course, and in that regard, there’s a large amount up front and a huge amount in the rear. The boot is long and deep and holds significantly more than its main rivals or indeed anything this side of the Kennedy Space Center and is easily accessed. Just don’t fall in without a lifeline.

Need to know

Prices start at £8000 for high milers. Pay £10,000 to £12,000 for a good 2016 or 2017 car with an average mileage, between £13,000 and £15,000 for a tidy 2018 car and £16,000 to £18,000 on a 2019 or 2020 car. You need £22,000 to £35,000 for a 2021 or 2022 car.

On the WLTP test, the 1.5 TSI 150 gets 42.2mpg, the 2.0 TDI 150 53.3mpg, the 2.0 TDI 200 43.5mpg and the 2.0 TSI 190 32.8mpg. 

You’ll need to charge the iV a lot to replicate its 232.3mpg. 

Buyer beware 

Recalls: There have been a number of recalls for this generation of the Superb. Some 2018 and 2019 cars might not provide enough engine torque at low speeds. Affected cars can be sorted with a simple software update. Some electrical functions on 2015 examples could stop working, due to an incorrectly installed cable clamp in the fusebox. 

The anti-trap software on early cars might not work when the sunroof is closing when operating the global close feature with your key.

The rear-wheel bearing housing on some 2017 cars could shatter because the metal wasn’t hardened correctly during manufacture.

The driver’s airbag on a small number of 2018 cars might not inflate quickly enough in a collision and may require a new unit to be installed by a dealer to fix the problem. 

Speak with a Skoda dealer to make sure all the appropriate remedial work (if there is any) has been carried out.

Reliability: The petrol Superb finished first out of 24 cars in the executive cars class in our sister magazine What Car?’s most recent Reliability Survey. The diesel Superbs ranked 10th in the same category. Skoda as a whole came in 12th place out of 30 brands in the same study

Our Pick

2.0 TDI 150: This diesel is our pick because you don’t have to work it hard for brisk progress. It’s surprisingly refined and economical, too. The petrols aren’t worth the extra fuel expense unless you do only urban driving.

2.0 TSI 280 L&K: The fruity petrol engine adds real potency to the mix and even with such a large space to transport, this one’s a flyer. Top-spec Laurin & Klement trim brings just about every goodie you could want.