What Car? Electric Car Awards in association with myenergi
Electric Car Awards 2020: Hybrid estate car
With electric cars now coming in all shapes and sizes – and available to suit every budget – we’ve named the best models in every class. Here we look at the best plug-in hybrid estate car...
WINNER: Hybrid estate car
Skoda Superb Estate iV
Best buy SE Technology List price £34,870 Target Price £34,196 Target PCP £492 per month 0-62mph 7.8sec Top speed 138mph Official economy 209.1mpg Official electric-only range 35 miles CO2 emissions 31g/km
We've been big fans of the Skoda Superb Estate for many years because, to put it simply, it represents Skoda at its very best by offering class-leading space and practicality for a very affordable price. And this is a trend that Skoda has continued with its plug-in hybrid Superb Estate iV.
It’s powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a battery that’s big enough for an official all-electric range of 35 miles. If that sounds familiar, it’s because, in effect, you’re getting the same plug-in hybrid system that powers the Volkswagen Passat GTE Estate. But wouldn’t you just go for the Passat, instead, if it offers the same tech in a classier package?
Well, no, not when you see what the Superb has to offer. Not only is it significantly cheaper than the Passat, but it’s also more spacious inside, with a smart interior that feels just as solidly screwed together as the VW’s.
It also sports a bigger boot – which, let’s face it, is what estates are all about. And thanks to clever design, the battery pack under the rear floor doesn’t eat into luggage space too much. Yes, the underfloor boot storage gives way for a charging cable cubby, but you still get 510 litres, compared with 483 in the Passat GTE Estate.
There’s lots to like about the driving experience, too. With 215bhp, it’s plenty quick enough, even when carrying a family and their paraphernalia, and its light steering, soft ride and near-silent running in electric mode make wafting around town a truly relaxing prospect.
In fact, the Superb positively encourages you to drive smoothly, allowing you to eke out every last drop of electricity from the battery. In real-world driving, we’d expect to see around 20 miles of pure electric running. If you have the facility to charge both at home and at work, that could be enough to effectively make the Superb a very luxurious electric car for commuting.
Company car drivers will also appreciate the Superb iV’s modest 10% BIK tax rate, and if you cover a lot of miles, you’ll be pleased to know that the long kit list of our favourite SE Technology trim gives you leather seats (heated up front), sat-nav and blindspot monitoring as standard.
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