Used Skoda Superb 2024-present review
The fourth-generation Skoda Superb is still the practicality king. It’s a great used buy if that’s a priority
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present front cornering red
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present interior dashboard
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present touchscreen infotainment
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present physical controls
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present front seats
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present back seats
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present boot
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present rear driving red
- Used Skoda Superb 2024-present panning shot red
What's the used Skoda Superb like?
An iceberg only reveals a fraction of what makes it impressive. Most of its substance lies beneath the surface, hidden from view, which is an ethos the Skoda Superb follows.
While on the surface, it might look like a humble executive car with a non-premium badge, you can dig deeper to find an interior that defies its size. That’s no exception with this fourth-generation Superb, which builds on the impressive practicality of its predecessor by offering an even bigger interior, the latest technology and a range of efficient engines.
If you’re after a practical used executive car, few cars come close to the fourth-generation Skoda Superb, which has acres of space in the back seats and boot. It has a comfortable ride, a user-friendly interior and a generous equipment list, too. It’s a great used buy, although it’s still too new to have featured in our What Car? Reliability Survey.
Pros
- Vast interior
- Comfortable ride
- Very well equipped
Cons
- Hesitant automatic gearbox
- Iffy interior quality in places
- No reliability data yet
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Engines and performance: The fourth-gen Superb hatchback has a range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, but if you want a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, you’ll have to go for the Skoda Superb Estate.
The entry-level engine is a 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI e-Tec petrol, which has mild-hybrid technology to boost performance and efficiency. You have to push it fairly hard to get the best out of it, but with an official 0-62mph time of 9.2sec, it’s punchy enough for most situations.
For more power, there’s the 261bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol. It has four-wheel drive and stronger performance, with 0-62mph taking 5.6sec.
The diesel engines start with the 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI. It has more low-down pulling power than the entry-level petrol, so it's a better choice if you'll be towing a caravan or doing lots of motorway driving. If you want even more punch, there’s the four-wheel drive 190bhp 2.0-litre TDI, which delivers 0-62mph in a reasonably brisk 7.5sec.
No matter the engine, all versions come with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It can be a bit slow to respond when pulling away, but otherwise it changes gear quickly and smoothly.
Ride and handling: With the standard suspension, the Superb rides really well. It soaks up most lumps and bumps with ease, proving more supple, but more floaty over undulations and crests than the suspension in the BMW 3 Series.
If you want a really comfortable ride, keep an eye out for the optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) active suspension system. In Comfort mode, the ride is even more plush than with the regular suspension, while in Sport mode, body lean in corners is noticeably reduced.
In Comfort mode and standard suspension, there is a fair amount of body lean when you drive the Superb hard on a country road, but it’s far from wayward. However, if it’s a sporty driving experience you’re after with your executive car, consider the 3 Series.
Interior and practicality: It’s very easy to get comfortable behind the wheel of the Superb, with plenty of movement in the seat and steering wheel. As a bonus, all cars come with an extendable seat base, four-way adjustable lumbar support and a massage function, while SE L trim upwards get 14-way electrically adjustable seats for both in the front. All-round visibility is very good, too.
Mounted high in the centre of the dashboard (so it’s easy to see while driving) is a 13.0in touchscreen infotainment system, which is standard on all models. It’s a good setup, with a logical layout, sharp graphics and a quick response. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring are standard, too.
Usefully, there are three rotary ‘Smart Dials’ for the temperature, fan speed, heated seats, drive modes and volume below the touchscreen. These are interchangeable, so you push them to swap between modes, but it’s a really intuitive setup that minimises distraction while driving. It’s better than the touchscreen-only controls in the Audi A5 and 3 Series.
Interior quality is a bit of a mixed bag, though. While there are some lovely soft-touch plastics and wood trim on the dashboard and doors, the fit and finish isn’t as good as the A5 or 3 Series. For example, the dials feel a bit flimsy when you use them.
Where the Superb really excels is with space. There’s absolutely no trouble with head and leg room for six-footers in the front, while in the back, similarly tall occupants will be able to properly stretch out. There’s more head and leg room in the back than both the A5 and 3 Series, let alone bigger rivals. It’s a close match for space as the Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series.
The real show-stopper, though, is the boot, where there’s a large hatchback opening and a whopping 645 litres of space. Not only is that 20 litres more than its predecessor, but it’s more space than the A5 (445 litres), A6 (492 litres), 3 Series (480 litres), 5 Series (520 litres) and Mercedes E-Class (540 litres). If you want to carry longer items, the boot will happily fit plenty in, but unfortunately the seat backs only fold in a 60/40 arrangement, which is less flexible than the 40/20/40 setup you get in all of those aforementioned rivals.
Trims and equipment: All versions of the Superb are very well-equipped. Entry-level SE Technology trim has enough gadgets to satisfy most tastes, including keyless start, heated and massaging front seats, and a wireless phone-charging pad (with in-built cooling to prevent your smartphone from overheating). You also get adaptive cruise control.
Stepping up to SE L trim adds ventilation and electric adjustment to the front seats, as well as 18in wheels, ambient lighting and a powered tailgate.
SportLine, meanwhile, offers larger 19in wheels, sportier styling, sports seats and DDC adaptive suspension, while range-topping Laurin + Klement (L&K) trim mostly brings a plusher, more eye-catching interior, but also adds heated rear seats and a 15-speaker Canton stereo.
"I could not believe how much space was in the Superb’s boot when I first saw it. With the rear seats folded down, it swallowed a cupboard I found on Facebook Marketplace with ease." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
If you're interested in buying a used Skoda Superb or any of the cars we've mentioned, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.
To find out more about the Superb as a new car, you can read our Skoda Superb review.
Ownership cost
What used Skoda Superb will I get for my budget?
Used prices for the Superb hatchback start from around £22,000. At this level, you’ll find plenty of 2024 cars with the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine in SE Technology trim. Cars in SE L trim, or with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, start from around £25,000, as do cars from 2025. Newer 2026 models in SE Technology trim start from the £27,000 mark, while top-spec SportLine and L&K cars cost upwards of £30,000.
Check the value of a used Skoda Superb with What Car? Valuations
How much does cost to run a Skoda Superb?
MPG
Considering the Superb’s size, running costs are reasonable and competitive with rivals. The 148bhp 1.5-litre mild-hybrid can average up to 53.3mpg officially, which is better than the 2.0-litre A5 150 TFSI (41.7mpg). For the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, it officially returns up to 56.5mpg, which is a touch less than the A5 204 TDI (58.9mpg).
Road tax
All versions of the Superb are subject to the current flat rate fee of road tax, which is £200. Most versions cost more than £40,000 when new, too, making them subject to the £440 luxury car tax surcharge. This applies for five years from the second year of registration.
Servicing
Skoda will charge £546 for two oil change services with its Standard Plan for the 1.5-litre Superb. By comparison, Audi will charge £353.63 for a similar, single service of an A5 150 TFSI.
If you want a full service for a Superb (including pollen filter, air filter and spark plug changes) and a minor service as part of the Plus Plan, Skoda will charge £743.76.
Insurance
The Superb spans insurance groups 23 to 31 (out of 50). That means it will cost less than the A5 and 3 Series to insure.
Warranty
From new, every Superb comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. That’s similar to Audi and Volkswagen’s cover, but BMW and Mercedes offer the same length with unlimited mileage.
Safety
The Superb was given five stars out of five when it was appraised for safety by Euro NCAP in 2024, with an excellent 93% rating in the adult occupant protection category and 87% for child occupant protection. It comes with loads of safety kit, too, with up to eight airbags (or 10 as an option), automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic assist and blind-spot monitoring offered as standard.
Reliability
The fourth-generation Skoda Superb is too new to appear in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. However, to give you an indication of how reliable it might be, Skoda ranked 16th out of 30 brands for reliability, placing it ahead of Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen, but behind BMW and Lexus.
To find out more about used Skoda Superb reliability, visit our dedicated reliability page.
Our recommendations
Which used Skoda Superb should I buy?
Engine
The 148bhp 1.5-litre mild-hybrid is our recommended engine. It provides more than enough pulling power for everyday needs, yet it’s economical. It’s also the cheapest engine option on the used market.
Specification
Entry-level SE Technology is so well equipped that we don’t think it’s worth the uplift for SE L. It’s a popular trim on the used market, too.
Our favourite Skoda Superb: 1.5 TSI e-TEC SE Technology
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Skoda Superb?
The BMW 3 Series is one of our favourite used executive cars. It's fantastic to drive, with strong engines, direct steering and sharp handling, making it well suited to those who enjoy driving on a twisty road. Interior quality and reliability are good, too, but it’s nowhere near as spacious or practical as the Superb (but then few executive cars are).
The Audi A5 (the replacement for the Audi A4) is a comfortable, practical and well-rounded executive car. It has a good range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power options, too. It’s ideal for motorway driving, with a ride that’s a touch more comfortable than the Superb’s.
If you want an executive car that’s a similar size to the Superb, the 2024-present BMW 5 Series is worth a look. It’s more expensive, but it’s very spacious in the back, making it ideal for carrying passengers. It also has a smart, high-quality interior and a user-friendly infotainment system.
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If you're interested in buying a used Skoda Superb or any of the cars we've mentioned, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.
How reliable is the Skoda Superb ?
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