In the Metal: 
The Superb is the flagship of the Skoda range, sitting above the best-selling Octavia as the pinnacle of Czech engineering. Strange then that it is one of the last cars to be treated to Skoda's new corporate look. Technically, everything forward of the A-pillar is new, but the real changes are to the headlights and grille, which both now feature a more squared off look than before, with the winged badge moved from the grille to the bonnet as it was on the Octavia and Rapid. The new headlights feature bi-Xenon tech and a cluster of LED daytime running lights that are mirrored out back in the new tail lights. The 'C signature' that is found in all new Skoda models is repeated three times, denoting the Superb as the daddy of the Skoda range.
Other than that there is not really a whole lot to tell; the ungainly third pillar still features on the saloon model; wheels and tyres have changed to help with efficiency and the aerodynamics have been tweaked to allow the Czech cruiser slip through the air easier. A case of 'as you were' so.
And it is a similar story inside; you still get limousine-like legroom in both the front and the back and in higher specification Elegance or Laurin & Klement models you get a fit and finish that would not look out of place in a car twice the price of the Superb, but it is what is missing that you notice. Yes, rear occupants can now control the passenger seat much as they could in an Audi A8 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and you do get the second generation Park Assist that can now handle parking bays as easily as it does parallel parking, but the dash-mounted touchscreen system seems dated. Considering the Octavia, a model that sits lower in the food chain, has Volkswagen Group's latest all-singing all-dancing touchscreen with proximity sensors and smartphone like controls the decision to lumber the Superb with a unit that is at least one generation behind seems odd.
That said, despite the minor cosmetic changes (when we would have preferred major ones) and despite lacking some of the technologies that the junior members in the line-up have, the Superb is still a whole lot of car for less than £20,000 and that is in both saloon (or limousine in Skoda speak) or estate body styles. Some of the
Car Enthusiast team prefer the look of the estate as it does away with the unsightly C-pillar and you get a 633-litre boot, while others quite like the Twin Door opening to the saloon's 595-litre boot and are willing to accept the C-pillar. The ultimate decision is up to buyers, but it should be noted that the activation of the Twin Door has now been simplified meaning you can switch between saloon and hatch opening with ease. Just saying!
Driving it:
Much as it is with the current Superb, the primary engines in the UK will be of the diesel variety. There are a number of TSI petrol units available, from the 125hp 1.4-litre (only in the entry-level trim) up to the 260hp 3.6-litre V6, but petrol sales are so miniscule in the Superb range they are barely worth mentioning.
Instead we'll focus on the diesel engines that now, along with the lower powered petrol, all include stop-start and energy recuperation as standard. These measures, along with a more aerodynamic body, weight saving in the chassis and altered gear ratios, contribute to a 19 per cent improvement in efficiency for the flagship 170hp 2.0-litre TDI model, which now returns 61.4mpg with CO
2 emissions of 120g/km.
The 105hp 1.6-litre TDI version, either in standard or Greenline mode, will be the top seller, with the Greenline saloon returning 67.2mpg and emissions of just 109g/km. While the economy figures cannot be questioned we do feel the engine is underpowered for such a large car. Around town or even on smaller roads it works adequately, but is found wanting on motorways where you find yourself having to work the transmission to make any sort of progress. At least the gearbox has been updated to a six-speed item over the current Greenline's five-speed unit, so when you do get up to cruising speed you can drive along in relative serenity; just don't expect to get there too soon. The non-Greenline 1.6 can now also be ordered with a seven-speed DSG transmission, which only marginally affects fuel consumption, but makes the Superb more limo-like to drive.
For our money the 140hp 2.0-litre TDI engine is the best partner for the Superb. At 61.4mpg and 119g/km CO
2 (the estate emits 121g/km) it is sixteen per cent more efficient than before, yet thanks to maximum torque of 320Nm being delivered at 1,750 rpm it never feels laboured.
What you get for your Money:
Prices start at £18,555 for the saloon and £19,680 for the estate. Five trim levels are offered in each, ranging from S and SE at the entry-level to Elegance and range topping Laurin & Klement at the top. The fuel-sipping Greenline version is considered to be a standalone model.
Even the basic S trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a multifunction leather steering wheel, cruise control, electric windows all-round, ESC stability control, front fog lights, air conditioning, Bluetooth and LED rear lights. SE adds 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, Alcantara seat trim, dual-zone climate control, electrically folding door mirrors and a few extra niceties inside.
The Superb Elegance features 18-inch alloys, bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running bulbs, touchscreen satnav with DAB radio, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, heated windscreen and auto wipers.
For the full Superb affect the Laurin & Klement model includes a higher end stereo system as standard, a different style of 18-inch wheel, brown leather upholstery, tinted windows, Park Assist, TV tuner, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a chrome grille and, on the estate, a panoramic sunroof.
