We tested the new Skoda Superb: Yes, Mr. Minister

Estimated Price: Approximately NIS 200,000 and more for the 1.5-liter, NIS 300,000 and more for luxury models

Competitors: Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Volvo S60

Liked: Interior space and quality, usability, gasoline engines, solid appearance

Disliked: Price, almost identical design to the outgoing generation, no regular or plug-in hybrid version currently

Rating: 9.0/10

It was an afternoon after a morning filled with meetings, a hastily arranged visit to a remote settlement, and an elegant avoidance of an anarchist demonstration. “Drive!” I commanded my loyal driver, “Drive through the red lights, we need to get to the news studio on time!” I urged. The driver tried to resist, as even a retired hilltop youth knows there are offenses best avoided, especially with every citizen having a dashcam recording the dozens of infractions committed daily. So, we drove happily, overtaking on the right and left, the blinkers flashing red and blue, and for a rare moment, I felt like an important person—really important.

I fantasized as I swapped the driver’s seat for the rear-right seat of the Superb, trying to feel what it’s like to be a minister, a senior CEO, or a crime family head. The truth? It felt quite nice, even with the seatbelt properly fastened. Skoda’s business class has always been a spacious and pampering position with room to stretch your legs, adjust the air conditioning and music, and plan the dismissal of public servants who don’t cater to my whims.

Exterior Design: Among the influences of the electric revolution is the awakening in the sedan family category, which was nearly wiped out by the crossover tsunami. Range anxiety forced electric car manufacturers to squeeze every possible kilometer from the car batteries, and one way to achieve this is by improving aerodynamics. This trend has given some color back to the cheeks of low and elegant 'sedans'—primarily Tesla, followed by Chinese and European manufacturers. The truth is that with or without electricity, Skoda has never abandoned the elegant family sedan format, and the Superb is the flagship of the Czech manufacturer. In Israel, Skoda leads the executive sedan category with 500 Superb deliveries in 2024 (compared to only 228 Sonatas and 144 Toyota Camrys). For comparison, during that period, 766 Tesla Model 3s and 640 XPeng P7s were sold in Israel.

The truth is that even the outgoing Superb looked great—low, elegant, and respectable. The Czechs declare that the conservative customer base did not want to see significant changes, and perhaps it was the finance department suits who wanted to save on development costs, during a time when Skoda also needs to spend billions on developing new electric vehicles.

Indeed, it takes a discerning eye to spot the difference between the outgoing and new models. The dimensions are almost identical (a difference of one centimeter in width and height, a minor addition of 5 centimeters in the length of the new model), as are the front ends. The new model features a hexagonal front grille, while the previous model had a trapezoidal grille. The new LED Matrix headlight units have a slightly different design, and the secondary units have been completely eliminated. Even at the rear, there are minor changes, including elegant LED lighting with dynamic direction indicators. No one will replace the previous Superb because of design innovation, but conservative customers will be happy to upgrade from the third generation to the fourth. Despite the conservatism, the new model looks fresher and more up-to-date.

Interior: With the same wheelbase, the interior is not significantly different in terms of interior space (which was excellent) and highlighted usability. However, the dashboard has undergone a significant technological overhaul, with a high-quality 13-inch display prominently in the center. The display is colorful and bright, as are the accompanying cameras. The use of the display is clear and intuitive, the hierarchy is logical, and there is no doubt that this is a superior product compared to some of the products coming from China.

The response speed is excellent, illustrating that there is substantial computing power behind the glass. Below the display are three large physical dials, pleasant to operate and finished with sharp grooves—this is a perfect reversal of the fiddling with complicated and annoying menus. The driver can choose from the changing functionality of the three dials, similar to the system we encountered in the Range Rover. We also liked the 10-inch driver's display and the head-up display that projects speed, navigation, and other parameters onto the windshield, making it enjoyable to see without taking your eyes off the road.

The four main seats are very spacious and comfortable, with the front seats being electric and offering upgraded massage capabilities, which was very pleasant, thank you! The seats are highly ergonomic and well-supported, with very firm upholstery—I occasionally would have preferred them a bit softer. Moving the gear lever to the steering wheel allowed for a convenient and functional central console. In keeping with the Simply Clever approach, you will continue to receive the traditional umbrella and ice scraper, as well as an additional current accessory, a microfiber cloth for cleaning fingerprints from the multimedia screen.

To close the 'ministerial' section, I checked the rear space—the rear seat is indeed more spacious than the front-right seat, but the outside view is less good. I assume that for someone constantly engaged with their phone or computer, there’s no reason to move to the front seat. You can also sit in the rear-middle seat, but it is less comfortable.

The trunk volume has increased slightly to 645 liters (1,795 liters with the rear seat folded); the huge hatchback door facilitates access to the depths of the trunk. As per tradition, the trunk is highly practical with a real spare wheel, anchor and hanging hooks, nets, and a new ‘cargo hammock,’ as well as a lockable side compartment. There is no doubt that the trunk is one of the strengths of the Superb across generations, and the fourth generation meets expectations. The Superb offers a pleasant and luxurious living space, whether you’re an important person with three assistants or taking the family on a distant weekend.

Engine, Performance, and Fuel Consumption: The electric era has not yet reached the new Superb, but a plug-in hybrid version based on the 1.5-liter gasoline engine, boosted by an electric motor and a 25.7 kWh battery, will be introduced soon. The hybrid Superb will have 197 hp and an impressive range of 120 kilometers on pure electricity, but for now, we’ll settle for five gasoline and diesel engines, almost identical to those of the outgoing model.

During the launch, I drove three gasoline versions. The 1.5-liter is supported by a mild hybrid system and continues to ‘do the job’ with modest 150 hp. It allows smooth driving and isn’t sluggish, but it works hard to maintain a fast pace on mountainous roads (0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds). For conservative customers who drive calmly anyway, this is a reasonable and suitable option. The 1.5-liter version was pleasant and nimble in steering due to its relatively low weight, 235/45R18 tires, and front-wheel drive. All models come with a 7-speed DSG gearbox that works excellently, even in traffic jams.

The gear lever has been moved to the steering column, which is fine; I didn’t like the gimmick of rotating the gear lever on an axis—one can get used to the new operation, but I’m not sure it’s better than the traditional one. To improve fuel consumption, many aerodynamic improvements were made, reducing the car's drag coefficient to 0.23, 15% less than the outgoing model. We couldn’t check fuel consumption, but it should improve slightly—during the test, we saw consumption figures of 15-17 kilometers per liter.

At the top of the gasoline performance range is the 2.0-liter sporty version providing 265 horsepower and 40 kgm—this is a powerful and fast-reacting car (0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds), but it doesn’t provide a sufficiently sporty feel; certainly not when electric vehicles offering much stronger acceleration are on the horizon, for less money.

The most successful version, in my opinion, is the 2.0-liter gasoline with 204 hp, providing an excellent combination of agility, relaxation, and a feeling of lightness. In relaxed driving, it is also quite economical. In the higher versions, you can choose between driving modes (Sport, Comfort, Economical, Individual)—the adaptive shock absorbers become firmer and the steering sharpens slightly, but the change isn’t dramatic. The main difference is felt in the gearbox, which will pull to higher RPMs.

The powerful diesel version (194 hp for the minister) is less successful in my opinion; the diesel is less refined than the gasoline units, and its responses are not quick. All models come with an extensive safety system, precise cruise control (which receives information from the navigation system and adjusts driving speed), and ten airbags. The cruise control is quick to decide that you are not focused enough, emitting warning beeps, and even shaking the car with the brakes to ensure you don’t fall asleep at the wheel.

Comfort and Road Behavior: One of the insights sharpened at the launch of a family sedan is the price we pay for the crossover trend that nibbles at all market segments. We’ve all fallen in love with the height and control provided by elevated crossovers, but we’ve forgotten how much we lose in terms of stability, driving pleasure, and refinement. Therefore, the Superb is not a comfortable and forgiving car in the traditional sense, but it drives firmly and precisely, and it is quiet and relaxing.

The adaptive shock absorbers that can be selected for each of the driving modes are not only in the top versions but are also present in other versions. In comfort mode, the ride is excellent, and the firm suspension adds to the feeling of stability and road control. In sport mode, the car doesn’t become a road-hugging vehicle, but it is better than most competitors. The steering is pleasant, light enough at low speeds, and firm when needed. The Superb is not as sporty as some competitors, but it’s a solid choice for a family executive car.

Bottom line: Since 2001, 1.6 million Skoda Superbs have been sold globally, and the fourth generation looks more attractive than ever. The new Skoda Superb will arrive in Israel by late 2024, available in 1.5 and 2.0-liter gasoline versions and a 2.0-liter diesel. Trim levels will range from Sportline and Selection to the high-end Laurin & Klement. Most cars will feature 2X4 drive, with some 4X4 models. Prices and specifications are yet to be finalized, and expect higher prices compared to the outgoing model, which ranges from NIS 194,000 to NIS 306,000. Unfortunately, station wagon ("Combi") models will not be available in Israel, and the warranty remains at two years without mileage limitation, with an optional extension to three years.

For ministers, armored 2.0-liter diesel Superbs are available, surprisingly in 2X4; however, I would recommend the 4X4 for better escape capability. If I were to buy a Skoda Superb, I'd choose the 2.0-liter gasoline model (preferably with 18-inch wheels). I appreciate the brand’s traditional approach in today’s fast-paced automotive market.

The new Superb is a refined highway performer, maintaining the brand's values of practicality and quality over fleeting trends. It offers a blend of daily usability, advanced technology, and high safety levels, suitable for both family and business use. It also provides enjoyable driving moments, provided you can find a non-congested road.

Technical Details:

• Engine: Turbocharged 1,948 cc gasoline
• Max Power: 265 hp, 40 kgm
• Transmission/Drive: 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive

Dimensions:

• Length: 4.91 m
• Width: 1.85 m
• Height: 1.48 m
• Wheelbase: 2.84 m
• Trunk Volume: 645 / 1,795 liters
• Tires: 235/45R18 or 235/40R19
• Curb Weight: 1,734-1,884 kg

Performance:

• 0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
• Top Speed: 250 km/h
• Combined Fuel Consumption: 12.5 km/l

Warranty:

• Two years without mileage limitation, optional extension to three years up to 100,000 km

The author was a guest of Skoda in Prague.