It has already been four years since the third generation Skoda Superb appeared on the market. And now it's time for her light rejuvenation.
I deliberately ordered the currently modernized Superb in the Sportline version. Before the modernization, I tested the Superb in this particular configuration and I was extremely satisfied with the car. This is a car that will offer a decent and pleasant design, an incredibly spacious interior, diverse driving characteristics, and the Sportline version takes this car to a level that I really enjoy.
Tested, the Sportline offered the most powerful two-liter turbocharged TSI engine with 200 kW of power, which was transmitted to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic.
Modernization and exterior
The modernization of the Superb brought subtle optical changes to the exterior appearance of the car. I can safely say that this is a very successful facelift, which has only benefited this popular car.
Current changes are taking place mainly in the front and rear parts. The front received newly shaped headlights that are full LED and now also have MATRIX technology. The lower part of the front bumper and the mask itself, which extends to the front headlights, also received new shapes. The lower part of the front bumper is now more and more prominently cut into the side of the car. In the Sportline version, this element looks very dynamic and gives the car a ferocity.
The modernization of the rear part, similarly to the front part, mainly concerns the headlights, which are also equipped with full LED technology. The rear lights are then elegantly connected by a chrome, black in the case of the Sportline trim. The overall horizontal proportions of the rear part, then for the Skoda brand, are newly supported by the inscription "SKODA" instead of the classic logo.
Even after modernization, the side profile remains faithful to its old and pleasing shapes. The Sportline plaque on the front fenders is also worth mentioning. Furthermore, the sportier "body structure" of the Superb Sportline is quite noticeable in the form of a 15 mm lower chassis.
Simply put, the modernized Superb went through its rejuvenation very decently and yet successfully.
Interior, alcantara everywhere you look
Fortunately, the spacious interior of the Superb did not undergo any significant changes as part of the modernization. However, it is worth mentioning, for example, the new decors that the interior now has.
The dashboard continues to be dominated by moderate shapes and divisions. Its processing, clarity and control are traditionally at a very high level. The dashboard was then dominated by the 9.2" wide Columbus on-board infotainment display, whose environment we already know from the days before modernization. In the instrument panel of the tested car, we have a fully digital display, a virtual cockpit, which combines all important information into one clear screen. It presents all the necessary information in five different graphic layouts.
The tested Sportline version will offer an interior spiced with a significant amount of Alcantara. This is found in abundance not only on the sport-tuned seats, but also on the door panels or the entire ceiling. Another interesting element of this variant is the quilted multifunctional steering wheel with a flattened lower part, or the very effective-looking front seats with integrated headrests.
The advertised spaciousness of the Superb is most noticeable in the rear seats, and also in the size of the luggage compartment, which offers 625 liters of volume.
Powerful gasoline engine
The tested version of Sportline was powered by the most powerful gasoline turbocharged four-cylinder, which offered 200 kW (272 hp) and 350 Nm of torque. You can also choose from 110 kW 1.5 TSI, 140 kW 2.0 TSI, 110 kW 2.0 TDI, 140 kW 2.0 TDI or hybrid 1.4 TSI PHEV .
A very respectable 272 horsepower is distributed to both axles very consistently and without a hint of turbocharging. The Superb can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds on paper, which in fact, in addition to the active Launch control system, is quite a decent "fire".
The tested car was equipped with an additional DCC adaptive chassis, the control of which is included in the drive mode selector, which offers the options Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual. In the Comfort mode, the ride is extremely comfortable and quite rocking, while the Sport mode offers a clear and noticeable hardening of the chassis, stiffer steering and, of course, a different operation of the automatic transmission and a sharper reaction of the car to the gas pedal.
Superb Sportline and 272 hp, it definitely goes together. The sports mode and the seven-speed DSG with paddles under the steering wheel can make many winding roads more pleasant, on the other hand, we have a quiet petrol engine in idle mode and a rocking comfort mode, all in one car with an average consumption of around 9 l/100km.
Overall rating
The modernized Superb can currently be purchased from CZK 694,900 including VAT, with the basic 110 kW 1.5 TSI gasoline engine that works with a six-speed manual.
The Sportline equipment then starts at CZK 794,900 including VAT, also with the 110 kW 1.5 TSI and six-speed manual. The tested version with the most powerful 2.0 TSI petrol engine with an output of 200 kW can be purchased from CZK 1,078,900 including VAT.
The current modernization clearly benefited the popular Superb. In terms of external appearance, the car kept the proven basic shapes and worked quite successfully only with the details.
The Skoda Superb will therefore continue to offer a huge interior space, pleasant exterior shapes and quite varied driving characteristics. And the Sportline version, I like it here. Although it does not turn the car into a sports tool, it moves it into a position that makes it more interesting and more original.
