• The latest Superb stands out in the large saloon/hatchback market with its spacious and comfortable interior, now 43mm longer. 
• It offers excellent fuel efficiency, including hybrid options with a 75-mile electric-only range. Featuring a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit and a 13-inch touchscreen, it starts at over £38k. 
• The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine delivers great economy and refinement.
• There is excellent luggage space provides 645 litres (expandable to 1,795 litres) and advanced safety features.

Superb Hatch e-TEC

By Bill McCarthy

It’s a tribute to the quality of Skoda products that they are still producing a large saloon/hatchback in a market dominated by the SUV/Crossover.

Škoda currently has one of the newest model line-ups with 80 per cent of the range recently updated.

And although the name is ambitious, the latest, bigger, Superb is an excellent car. Huge, now 43mm longer, comfortable and for the size of the vehicle offering fantastic economy.

It has a range of engine options with the premiere last year of mild-hybrid technology and plug-in hybrid with an electric only range of around 75 miles. These are in addition to two 2.0 TSI petrol engines and two 2.0 TDI diesels.

The sleek silhouette offers better aerodynamics, while inside it even roomier and uses sustainable material.

In addition the infotainment is linked AI-based ChatGPT via the the voice assistant Laura.

The mild hybrid e-Tec driven here delivered just short of 60mpg from the mild hybrid power unit. Well up on the official WLTP figure of around 51mpg.

The range on a full tank was showing in excess of 700 miles. A bit of electrification, but no range anxiety whatsoever.

It is a smart, sleek handsome car with 18-inch alloy wheels on this model, neat decorative door sills, slim LED headlights with cornering function and refashioned rear light clusters, rear privacy glass and clever puddle lights projecting the Skoda brand. 

The dark chrome styling includes front grille surrounds and roof rails and door handles with ambient lighting.

The interior is premium, with  high-end materials and solid fixtures and fittings more often seen in executive class. Bags of head and legroom, with perforated leather fully adjustable electrically operated seats

The cabin itself is light, airy with three seated in relative comfort in the rear with the armrest folded. Another classy touch is the ambient lighting throughout offering a relaxing environment.

Centrepiece is the 10.25 inch virtual cockpit familiar on VW brands mated with a 13 inch touchscreen. which controls major functions like navigation, infotainment and Bluetooth connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

In typical Skoda style, it is packed with standard kit, including the usual array of electric goodies and creature comforts like multi-function steering wheel, dual zone climate control, heated and powered door mirrors, powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensor, headlight washers and privacy glass, plus a host of other goodies.

At just over  £38k for the tested model you are acquiring a premium vehicle that would cost substantially more if it carried a different badge on the boot or grille.

The 1.5 litre turbo petrol unit is combined with a small electric motor which aids fuel economy, but can also boost power.

Mated to a seven-speed DSG auto box, it delivers excellent performance, hitting 60  in 9.2 seconds and when switched to sport mode and using the steering column paddles, is extremely lively.

There are three driving modes, electric, hybrid and sport. 

 The motorway is where the car feels particularly at home, cruising with ease while the cabin is well protected from road and engine noise. Handling is good for such a big car and the standard stability control ensures the ride is comfortable and smooth.

In practical terms, the boot is huge at 645 litres and up 30 litres on its predecessor and rising to 1,795 with the rear seats down.

 For safety most of the boxes are ticked with a comprehensive lift of active and passive features including front, side and curtain airbags, plus a driver’s knee airbag, driver fatigue sensor and electronic stability and traction control systems, plus lane departure, blind spot and cross traffic alerts.

Always innovative, Skoda Simply Clever features add value and offers an umbrella in the door frame, LED torch and a compact screen cleaner. It works with cleaning fluid and microfibre cloth ensure that any dirt or annoying fingerprints are completely removed from the infotainment screen.

Skoda has been going from strength to strength – it’s obvious why. But now it is literally on a charge.

Factfile

•  Superb Hatch SE L 1.5 TSi e-TEC 150PS DSG
• Price: £ 38,320 – (with options £41,010)
• Mechanical: 1498cc, 150PS, four-cylinder  mild hybrid petrol engine driving front wheels via six-speed DSG auto transmission
• Maximum speed: 139mph
• Acceleration: 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds
• Economy: 51-52 mpg
• Insurance group: 27
• CO2 emissions: 124-126g/km
• Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles