Skoda Superb Estate Sportline Plus 2019 UK first drive

The Q-car phenomenon - cars that expertly hide their performance and capability under a bushel - seems to be dying. Traditionally, most of these were large, family-focused saloons or estates (the more mainstream the brand, the better) with unusually powerful engines but barely any visual evidence of that fact to the ordinary punter. 

With the mainstream large saloon segment flatlining in the face of the Great SUV March, many of these models - hot Ford Mondeos, Vauxhall Insignias, Mazda 6s and the like - have bitten the dust or been diluted to become superficially sporty trim levels. But Skoda is still defiantly holding the Q-car torch aloft with its flagship Skoda Skoda Superb Estate, driven here in facelifted form for the first time. 

We first drove the updated Superb in the UK with its 148bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. This version has knocking on for twice that output from the now-venerable EA888 2.0-litre unit. Yes, that’s 8bhp less than the pre-facelifted car, due to the WLTP-necessitated particulate filter, but it still makes an unassuming family saloon the fastest and most powerful Skoda, outfoxing even the Octavia vRS and Kodiaq vRS.  

We wish it were even more unassuming for the full unmarked traffic cop effect, to be honest. This engine is now only available in Sportline Plus spec, bringing bigger 19in wheels and a tasteful bodykit and jacking up the price; more on that in a bit. It also drops the ride height by 15mm, which rang alarm bells to a tester hoping it would retain the cosseting, long-legged gait of lesser Superbs. 

Thankfully, all is well. The Sportline’s suspension tweaks and look-at-me rims don't turn the Superb into a crashing, thudding mess about town or on the open road. Yes, a base-spec Superb with more sidewall will iron out the nastiest intrusions, but adaptive dampers mean this car is still wholly smooth, relaxing and refined, feeling thoroughly at home traversing hundreds of miles on Britain’s arterial routes in a day.

It’s not completely disgraced when the urge to avoid the ever-changing gantry limits takes you and your fancy going off-piste. Expectations must be tempered; this is a girthy, relatively heavy car with soft suspension and a lot less dynamic intent than any vRS. Body control is tighter than the regular Superb, but not by much, and you never get a sense that the car wants to be thrown about.

However, with four-wheel drive and and an electronic differential to meter power between the wheels, it can cover ground quickly and effectively with little drama or vice. Planted, stable and grippy it is, adjustable, playful or interactive it isn't – but you never expected that for a moment, did you?