Used Skoda Superb Estate 2015-2024 review
Category: Estate car
A used Skoda Superb Estate takes pretty much everything in its stride. It's comfortable, classy and incredibly spacious.
What's the used Skoda Superb estate like?
If the sole criteria for an estate car was space, this 2015-2024 Skoda Superb Estate would be the answer to everyone’s needs. Simply put, it takes the already massive Skoda Superb hatchback and adds even more rear capacity, enough to outgun just about every rival in this class and possibly everything else on the road.
However, people look for a lot more than that in a good estate car, and luckily the Superb offers enough to satisfy their needs in other areas too.
Engines: There's a good choice of engines, for one. The 123bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine props up the range, followed by a more powerful 148bhp version (replaced with a 1.5-litre petrol with the same power output post-WLTP from 2018 onwards). There are also a couple of versions of the 2.0-litre petrol (217bhp or 276bhp), but it’s the 118bhp 1.6-litre and 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesels that dominated sales and are the most prevalent on the used market. The 2.0 TDI is also available with 187bhp, and can be had with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.
If diesel is not your thing, but you have an eye on efficiency, then later versions of the Superb Estate offer the plug-in hybrid 1.4 TSI iV 218, which comes highly recommended, too. This uses an 85kW electric motor paired with a 1.4-litre petrol engine for a total power output of 215bhp. It's one of the quicker versions of the Superb (0-62mph takes 7.7sec), but also has an official electric-only range of 35 miles.
Trims and equipment: As far as trims go, entry-level S models are better equipped than most cars for the money, featuring a 6.5in touchscreen, air-con, Bluetooth connectivity and a DAB radio. However, SE adds 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise.
SE Technology was aimed at business drivers, so it inevitably adds sat-nav, front parking sensors and an electric driver’s seat with memory function. Higher specced SE L Executive and Laurin & Klement models are great value for money compared with similarly specced offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Sportline and Sportline Plus trims were introduced in 2018, and come with larger alloys, interior and exterior black sporty carbon styling details and sat between SE L Executive and Laurin & Klement trims.
Ride and handling: All Superb Estates handle well, if not with the outright vigour of some of the smaller VW Group cars that share its platform, even in the Sportline form with the firmer suspension. Avoid 19in wheels and the Superb has a pleasantly supple ride that's almost a match for the Ford Mondeo. The only fly in the ointment is the occasionally floaty sensation you'll experience driving down an undulating road (perhaps not ideal for children who are prone to car sickness). It is refined on the motorways for the most part, with just a flutter of wind noise around the windscreen area and door mirrors.
Interior and practicality: Inside, the driving position is good, the dashboard and the major instruments and controls are all laid out in a clear and logical way and the quality of materials used is high. Its raison d'être is 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, and is easily accessed, although in terms of its practicality it falls a little behind the flexibility offered by some SUVs.
All in, though, a used Superb makes a terrific family car. It is hugely spacious, quietly handsome and feels modern and up to date, as well as being outstanding value.
If you fancy buying a used Skoda Superb Estate or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.
Ownership cost
What used Skoda Superb estate will I get for my budget?
It’s possible to pick up this generation of Superb Estate for around £8000, especially if it has a higher than average mileage. Spending between £10,000 and £12,000 is probably a better bet for a good 2016 and 2017 car bought from an independent dealer, with an average mileage for the year and a full service history with either a petrol or diesel. Up the money further to between £13,000 and £15,000 for a tidy 2018 or 2019 from a main dealer, and around £16,000 to £18,000 on a 2020 car. It should be possible to secure a good 2021 car, possibly even a 2022 model, for between £20,000 to £24,000, depending on trim. For a 2023 example, have a budget of at least £24,000, a little more for a 2024 car.
Check the value of a used Skoda Superb with What Car? Valuations
How much does it cost to run a Skoda Superb estate?
MPG
The diesels are the most economical, with the 1.6 TDI Greenline returning an average claimed 72.4mpg, and the 148bhp 2.0 TDI averaging a healthy 65.7mpg in SE trim. The cheapest petrol to run will be the 1.4 TSI 150, which returns an average 54.3mpg. Post-WLTP engines don't seem quite so economical, but the figures quoted for these models should be more relevant to real-world driving. The newer 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol continues to be the most efficient model to drink from the green pump at 42.2mpg, while the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel continues to impress with a figure of 53.3mpg. The more powerful 187bhp diesel is far thirstier, at 43.5mpg, but that is for one with an auto gearbox and four-wheel drive. The worst of the lot is the most powerful 2.0-litre petrol that only gets 32.8mpg.
CO2 emissions
No Superb quite breaks into the free road tax band, but the 1.6 TDI Greenline comes close with CO2 emissions of 109g/km, followed closely by the 2.0-litre diesel at 112g/km. The cylinder deactivation technology of the 148bhp 1.4 and 1.5-litre petrol helps to keep emissions down to 119 and 122g/km, respectively. Don't believe us? Well, the base engine 123bhp 1.4 petrol that does without such tech spits out more at 126g/km - almost as much as the 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel that's lumbered with an auto gearbox and four-wheel drive. Neither the 217bhp (146g/km) nor 276bhp (168g/km) 2.0-litre petrols are particularly green because they chuck out plenty of green house gasses.
Road tax
Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending upon the emissions the engine produces (see paragraph above for more information) while examples registered after this date will have the same flat rate fee for cars that cost less than £40,000 when new. The current fee is £190 per year.
Servicing
Servicing plans are available for the Superb, with reasonably-priced plans payable by direct debit covering two or three services, depending upon the length of cover you want. Examples aged between 1-10 years will either cost you £22.50 over 18 months for two services, or 24 payments of £28 for three visits. Alternatively, you go go for a fixed price service at £179 and add on any extra jobs (such as air and fuel filter replacements) separately, when required.
Insurance
Insurance groups are reasonable, starting at just 12 for the 1.6 TDI and rising to 31 for the faster petrols.
Reliability
The Skoda Superb does well for dependability according to real-world owner reviews from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.
Most feedback highlights its reliability with minor issues mainly confined to the infotainment system, which are resolved swiftly and affordably.
Dealership service receives praise for efficiency and professionalism, although a minority report longer waiting times for repairs. Despite this, the overall consensus confirms the Superb is a dependable choice, backed by an effective dealer network.
Delve deeper into the reliability of the Skoda Superb on our dedicated used Skoda Superb Estate reliability page.
Our recommendations
Which used Skoda Superb estate should I buy?
Specification
As far as trim goes, the S model is fine, but we’d keep be tempted to spend a bit more money and find an SE Technology car, which has the best compromise of equipment and price. SE L and SE L Executive add a number of tempting luxuries, while top-of-the-range Laurin & Klement model will appeal to those who appreciate an upgraded stereo and not having to scrape ice from the windscreen because it is electrically heated.
Engine
Both the 1.4 petrol and 1.6 diesel engines feel good. The 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel is better because you don't have to work it so hard to make brisk progress; it’s quicker than an equivalent Ford Mondeo and we’d say it’s so good that it’s not worth paying the extra for the really gutsy but more expensive 187bhp version. Neither of the two 2.0-litre petrol engines are worth the added expense in fuel unless you only do urban driving. The later 1.5 150 engine is a great option if you want petrol.
Our favourite Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150 SE Technology
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Skoda Superb estate?
The Ford Mondeo Estate was once the go-to car in this class, as it’s big, great to drive and reasonably refined. It’s good value for money, too, whether new or used, and reliable and relatively cheap to run. Although the Superb has stolen some of its thunder over recent years, the Mondeo is still a force to be reckoned with.
The Volkswagen Passat Estate shares a lot of its underpinnings with the Superb, and it has a similarly capacious interior. It’s good to drive, reasonably cheap to run and loaded with luxury. There’s a good choice of punchy and efficient engines and an excellent reliability record too.
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If you fancy buying a used Skoda Superb Estate or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.
