Skoda Superb SE 2.0 TDI CR (140bhp) 5dr Car Review - June 2013

With a 138bhp, 2.0-litre diesel engine under the bonnet, attached to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Skoda Superb is good for a top speed of 129mph. With that power plant producing 236 lb-ft of torque at 1750-2500rpm, the Superb SE 2.0 TDI CR (140) accelerates to 62mph from a standing start in 10.1 seconds. The Superb isn’t especially exciting to drive, but that is never intended to be its forte. It is, however, a supremely comfortably car to drive with an excellent suspension ironing out the bumps, and a cabin which is insulated from the all types of exterior noise intrusion even at higher speed cruising. Grip levels and steering responsiveness are commendable on twistier roads, but it is as a motorway cruiser that the Superb is in its element.

The latest generation of the Skoda Superb certainly has a more premium look than the model it replaced, although the styling has understandably been referred to in many quarters a bland an unforgettable. However, the Superb is more about substance than style, and the SE trim level on the Superb SE 2.0 TDI CR (140) does bring with it a competitive level of standard equipment. You get, amongst other things, power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, cruise control, rear parking sensor, alcantara seats, alarm, immobiliser, and CD player with MP3 connectivity. This list can be lengthened with the addition of optional extras such as an electric sunroof for £690, metallic paint for £495, bluetooth for £415, and satellite navigation for an extra £535.

The Skoda Superb boasts a full 5-star rating by Euro NCAP, the independent consumer organisation who conduct safety and crash tests on all new cars released onto the European market, with airbags aplenty and other driver aids such as stability control included as standard. This score was achieved with full marks in the occupant protection category, four stars for child occupant protection, but a disappointing two stars for pedestrian protection. A 3-year, 60,000-mile warranty included with all new Skoda Superb’s, and the car finished at the top of the pile in the influential 2013 JD Power customer satisfaction survey. Positive owner responses saw the Superb achieve an unbeatable 83% in the survey. Practicality is impressive too, with acres of space in the cabin and a decent sized boot. There is 595 litres of luggage capacity, rising to a voluminous 1700 litres once the rear seats have been lowered, with a clever split-opening tailgate also adding to its flexibility.

The £21,635 Skoda Superb SE 2.0 TDI CR (140) compares favourably with, for example, the comparative Ford Mondeo. The Skoda’s combined fuel economy figure of 52.3mpg is in the same ball park as the Mondeo, and although its CO2 emissions of 143g/km see it fall into Road Tax Band F compared to band C for the Ford, the Superb is considerably cheaper to insure. The Skoda takes its place in insurance group 18, while the Ford falls into group 24. What swings the argument in favour of the Skoda is its consistently impressive performance in customer satisfaction surveys. In this respect, it beats the Mondeo hands down, and means anyone prepared to look beyond brand-snobbishness and buy the Superb will not only be getting an excellent car for their money, but also one which will hold its value strongly.