Skoda Superb Estate 280 Sportline: PH Fleet
As 2018 begins, our long term review of Skoda's superlative estate comes to an end...
The 2.0-litre petrol engine has proven a refreshing alternative to the usual selection of diesels. Putting out 280hp in this installation, the EA888 turbo bestows the Sportline with an impressive turn of pace, should conditions allow, whilst enabling exceptionally smooth progress the rest of the time, and without treading on the toes of the Golf R Estate.
We do, of course, have to address the elephant in the Skoda's pachydermally proportioned posterior: its price. At £35,300 as standard - and £40,255 as tested - this iteration is in an entirely different league to the £21,170 entry-level car which shares its name. Preconceptions set firmly aside, though, it sufficiently holds its own, with refinement befitting a car of such an enhanced echelon. From the heated leather and suede seats, to the mileage-dissipating Automatic Cruise Control, via smart touches like the umbrellas hidden in the doors - Rolls-Royce style - everything but the badge suggests a car worthy of its price.
Heading home to Wales for Christmas was really the perfect opportunity to reflect on the Skoda's breadth of ability. Over the past year the rear seats have found themselves upright about as infrequently as the inhabitants of Love Island but, finally ridden of our Sunday Service gear, the Superb carried its four occupants and their assemblage of luggage and gifts down the M4 in quiet comfort. Once two lanes replaced six, a shift from Comfort to Sport made the journey along the A40 far more entertaining, and upon arrival the Virtual Pedal and variable boot floor made unloading a breeze.
Despite dealing with the conditions easily, no car is immune to the muddy slush such weather precedes. The glimmer of its post-wash paint and sparkle of its clean rims were soon distant memories, but, with another wash sure to be ruined even more quickly, we forged on. This, it turns out, was really the most fitting way to say goodbye to the Superb, highlighting as it does its most endearing characteristic: it just gets on with things.
Does it make any sense as a new purchase? At this price? There'll be much debate around that and almost all of it will centre around the fact that it's a Skoda, because, as a car, yes it absolutely does. As an asset which will depreciate considerably faster than equally priced but alternatively badged rivals, no, it probably doesn't. Whether to buy one, be it new or used, is up to you though. All we can say, is that only a brand as unassuming as Skoda could get away with giving a car such a braggadocious name, but in doing so they've hit the nail on the head; it really is... excellent.
FACT SHEET
Car: Skoda Superb Estate 280 Sportline
On fleet since: February 2017
Mileage: 15,765
List price new: £35,300 (As tested £40,255 comprising £600 for CANTON sound system, £435 for Crew protection assist and rear side airbags, £750 for Dynamic Chassis Control, £350 for front and rear parking sensors, £250 for heated front seats, £765 for integrated tow bar, £45 for ISOFIX on front passenger seat, £150 for LED light package rear, £350 for rear-view parking camera, £90 for rear backrest releases from boot, £100 for temporary space saver spare wheel, £150 for variable boot floor, £600 for Virtual Pedal, £20 for waste bin in door panel and £300 for wireless phone charging with Bluetooth)
Last month at a glance: The Skoda leaves some very roomy boots for its successor to fill!
Previous reports:
The big Skoda has a big job to do!
Drag racing a Skoda? Completed it
Scotland shows off Skoda at its Superb best
What does PH want for Christmas? A Superb for longer!
Not taken it proper off road yet but the 4x4 worked well in the recent snow /slush. 2.0 TDi is more than adequate but may opt for a more powerful petrol when it's time to replace it.....excellent big car that even the wife enjoys driving.
What does this mean exactly? "Premium badged" stuff is more likely to break? Or is it the misguided view that buyers of Skodas still have their expectations set at ground level?
I think badge snobbery is a thing of the past. To me now, it seems to be more about the conspicuous display of wealth because, as has been established in these hallowed pages with the likes of the Stinger / i30N / this Skoda, the dynamic ability of the product is no longer necessarily proportional to the price and / or "premium" status of its manufacturer.
Now things are different I certainly am putting a lot more thought into a new car and I would gladly choose the new Kia stinger over the S4 ( priced up the S4 to get a near spec that comes as std on the Kia and the S4 comes in at 56k !! ) .
It'll always be there an I don't really have a problem with it. Neither should you?
Next door wants to buy a crappy Bentley ? Let them.
anyway someone will buy this for £3k in a few years by which time every new car will have a virtual pedal and you can stop complaining
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