Category: Large Family 
Price Range: No data available
Class-best rear legroom, not far off Audi levels of quality, quiet cruiser.
Strange rear styling, not as good to drive as the Mondeo. Ride quality deteriorates with bigger wheels.
Entry-level diesel is pick of the spacious Superb range with low emissions, plenty of kit and an overwhelming feeling of top-drawer quality.
Despite being an all-new model, the Skoda Superb hasn't adopted the Volkswagen Group's full range of next-generation common rail diesel engines.
The 103bhp 1.9-litre is the old pumpe duse unit that despite efficient, has a reputation for poor refinement, although here the amount of diesel rattle reaching the cabin is far less than we expected.
The next near revelation is how well the least powerful diesel copes with the Skoda's considerable bulk. On paper, the Skoda is in no way brisk: 0-62mph takes a yawn-inducing 12.5 seconds, but in reality it doesn't feel quite so pedestrian thanks in part to well spaced gear ratios in the five-speed manual 'box and the generous 184lb-ft of torque at 1,900rpm. In the future Skoda will offer the excellent new seven-speed DSG gearbox for the lower-powered diesel that made its debut in the Volkswagen Golf.
Where the Superb does feel a little ponderous is during overtaking. It lacks the punchy mid-range of the more powerful engines, but for the Superb's target audience we suspect this entry-level engine may suffice.
On the road the big Skoda is competent, if not quite as capable as the class-leading Ford Mondeo. It doesn't grip as well as the Mondeo and you tend to get understeer much earlier on cornering. However Skoda's multi-link rear suspension helps regain composure when you lift off the throttle a fraction.
