What is the new Skoda Superb worth with a good 150 hp diesel?

Since its three modern generations (the first existed from 1934 to 1949, with an inline 6 cylinder or V8!), The Superb has always been the queen of sound, whether in a sedan, or like here in its station wagon version.. And this is not expected to change today for this fifth generation. Which rises only 4.90 meters (+ 3 cm), while retaining the generous wheelbase of the previous Superb (2.84 m), as well as its internal ribs, whether in the back seats or in the chest.

So we get the same impressive leg room on the bench seat (folding 1/3-2/3), even if a very tall person behind the wheel has pushed his seat back too far, with a large trunk volume, which should not be less than the 530 Dm3 we measured in the previous Superb Combi.. A lot of logic since this 4th generation is based on the evolution of the previous platform, called here MQB EVO, and shared with the new VW Passat SW. Furthermore, for economic reasons, the German, now offered as a station wagon while the Czech will continue to provide both jobs, owes a lot to its cousin from the East. Indeed, glazing, doors, pillars A, B and C are common to them, while the development of both was done almost entirely by Skoda engineers, and that. both will be assembled in one factory in the Czech Republic.

A complete break of tips

As usual with a manufacturer from the East, many practical tips are hidden everywhere, such as the umbrella on the driver’s door,integrated funnel on the windshield washer reservoir cover, snow scraper on the fuel filler flap, USB port near the rearview mirror for Dashcam or Coyotte box, 1.5 liter bottle tray in each door, bag hooks, integration of the stem. … And we see special care to further enhance the “high end” aspect of this flagship, which is already continuing on the previous one. So we find a good material on the dashboard, which is dressed in front in Alcantara, or in leather in the top finish of Laurin&Klement, passing a light wood-style belt. At the top, the relief of the grille, with many vertical bars, allows the air vents to be hidden.

But this reality risks becoming a dust trap that is difficult to clean, unless vacuumed regularly.

At the centre, this Superb sports a very large 12.9-inch touchscreen, which is responsive and has smart graphics.. As in its Passat cousin, the two panels above and below completely maintain shortcuts to frequently used functions (driving and parking assistance, ventilation, driving lanes, telephone, etc.). And to complete the ergonomics that, after a period of very difficult “touching” when driving, returns for more reasons, Skoda has placed three large dials under this main screen: those for adjusting the external temperature and the heated seats, while . multi-function control knobs, for choosing turning, volume, ventilation, air distribution, or even driving modes.

Improvement of ergonomics

In short, a sensible balance for the driver between physical and tactile control. Not forgetting that this Superb has, on the right side you talked about the steering wheel, a button that allows you to quickly cut off unnecessary electronic devices (it’s restarted every time you start!), including road-only lane assist, plus speed alert. If this button can be reached without taking your eyes off the road (it’s not uncommon for people to forget to turn off these functions before driving…), cutting these aids still requires four actions, where one long press would be enough. .

These actions are done, so we can hit the road with peace of mind, and immediately notice a change in philosophy in terms of suspension. Because if the three current generations of the Superb were to make clear choices for comfort, with highly flexible layouts for a model capable of carrying people and cargo, The new one has certainly been firmer, both on the spring and damping side.

We were only able to test versions with DCC Pro controlled suspension (standard on Laurin&Klement, €1,150 and continuous operation on Selection), which has separate compression and rebound valves, and noted a clear evolution towards more fluid flow maintenance. To the point that this Superb is more stable than its cousin the Passat, where before it was the opposite. Let’s be clear, apart from the Sport mode which becomes too hard, there is no issue of discomfort.

But owners of previous generations will be surprised, and will be interested in avoiding 19 or even 18-inch wheels, when choosing the Individual mode to set the humidity to level 2 or 3 (there are 15) to get a little softness they knew with their big Czech. For other drivers, Normal or Comfort mode will be fine, and will mesh well with confident handling and stability on hilly roads.

Prefer the preference for diesel

Even if you should not expect great agility from this station wagon, prioritizing over all stability, and therefore not driving fast, its chassis shows good efficiency. It remains to choose an engine from only two proposals (The 204 hp PHEV will be released later in the spring), petrol 1.5 Hybrid 150 hp and known 2.0 TDI 150 hp. The latter, with a price of €3,500 more, proves to be more pleasant with its higher torque (360 Nm compared to only 250 Nm for the Hybrid 1.5), giving a completely different ease to this large property when restarting. Of course the diesel has a duller sound when accelerating and in the city. But on the highway it can be quite reasonable, while giving greater freedom thanks to about 20% of its low desire. And then if the four-cylinder gasoline 1.5 (turbo with variable geometry, Miller combustion cycle and shutdown of 2 cylinders at low load) is sufficient for daily use, its small hybrid and alternator-starter provide two inconveniences.

The first is due to the sometimes difficult measurement of its brake pedal in the city – it has to combine the regenerative braking by charging the battery and that by the disc – the stability of which varies according to the state of charge of its battery. The second comes from the work of the free wheels when releasing the accelerator, which is there to save fuel, but which leaves you without any engine to stop on a small slope, where you gain speed, which brakes too often, causing difficult driving. None of them on the diesel (a large number of sales on this model) which does not have wheel and hybrid performance, and which is therefore more interesting, but it is not available for less than €48,980 (€45,480 in Hybrid 1.5 petrol). ! Big bucks…but still €1,500 less than its Passat cousin.